Page 38 - Christ and Culture Textbook

the church and universities hundreds of thousands of dollars to retrieve and reconstruct the priceless
treasures of his words); Martin Luther, forgoing a lucrative career to wear the habit of the monk; or the
modern businessman who passes up the windfall deal because he has scruples about hidden unethical
elements.

Here, we should be warned not to lump all the poor together in one package. We must not fall into the
tendency of generalizing poverty. It would be defamatory to maintain that all rich people are corrupt, as
if all riches were achieved through evil means or through exploiting the poor. Not all rich people are
greedy or ruthless. God cares deeply about human poverty and the consequent suffering. Our duty is to
be no less concerned than God Himself. As long as the poor are with us, we are called to minister to
them, not only via charity, but by seeking and working for the reformation of social and political
structures that enslave, oppress, and exploit.

The Responsibility of Stewardship
The straightforward principle concerning wealth is the principle of stewardship, the truth that a man is
responsible for what he does with what he receives. The characteristic of Christian living is not
communism but charity. The New Testament word for stewardship is the Greek oikonomia, from which
we derive the English term economy. It comes from a combination of two Greek roots, oikos, which
means “house,” and nomos, which means “law.” Literally, economy means “house rule.” In antiquity,
the steward was not the owner of the house but its manager. He was responsible for the care and
oversight of the house. Biblical economics recognizes God’s ultimate ownership of the earth and man’s
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duty to manage the earth responsibly. Periodically in the history of the church, the cry has arisen that
the gospel is better illustrated than proclaimed, or that it cannot be preached with integrity unless it is
also demonstrated practically. Often this concern has focused on the poor, and the church’s primary
responsibility to alleviate that poverty. Taking care for the poor is a primary responsibility of the local
church. In the New Testament, we read Jesus’ command to “let your light shine before men, that they
may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16)

Money matters involves questions of stewardship, the use of wealth, and private and public decisions of
value, all of which impinge on ethics. Each time we make a value judgment or render a decision to make
use of material goods, we have made an ethical decision. It wrong to emphasize the principles of private
property, equity, and industry, while sometimes neglecting the responsibility for compassion.

Recommendations for Helping the poor
The single most important ingredient for man’s material well-being is production. If Christians are going
to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give shelter to the homeless, they must be able to produce
the goods necessary to meet these needs. Man’s physical life is dependent on production. Unless we
learn to produce food, people will starve. Unless we begin to manufacture clothes, people will be naked.
Unless we give ourselves to building of homes, people will be without shelter. God cares about the
human body as well as the human soul, and so production becomes a vital ethical concern for Christians.
If we value human dignity will give to charity organizations. With respect to God’s word will treat others
as God would treat them. Partner with faithful organization. Give wisely and aim at bringing God the
glory.

9 Ibid.,60.

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