Wealth Concentration

Wealth Concentration: Addressing Extreme Inequality

This page evaluates policies related to wealth concentration through the lens of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus had much to say about wealth and its dangers. Addressing extreme wealth concentration is central to economic justice.

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.” - Matthew 6:24

Scripture Foundation

Key Passages:

Why Wealth Concentration Matters

Jesus taught about the dangers of wealth and called us to reject materialism. Extreme wealth concentration creates systems that:

  • Exploit the poor
  • Concentrate power
  • Create barriers to justice
  • Conflict with Jesus’ teachings

Key Principles

Wealth Can Be an Obstacle

Jesus warned that wealth can prevent people from following him:

“It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” - Matthew 19:24

Policy Implications:

  • Systems that encourage extreme wealth accumulation conflict with Jesus’ teachings
  • Policies should not prioritize wealth accumulation over human welfare
  • Economic systems should serve all, not just the wealthy

See Also: Jesus on Wealth, Reject Materialism

Serving God or Money

Jesus said we cannot serve both God and money:

“You can’t serve both God and Mammon.” - Matthew 6:24

Policy Implications:

  • Economic systems should not be designed primarily to accumulate wealth
  • Policies should prioritize human welfare over wealth creation
  • The pursuit of wealth should not drive policy

See Also: Jesus on Wealth, Reject Materialism

Justice for the Poor

Jesus consistently prioritized the poor and marginalized:

“For I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat… inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” - Matthew 25:35, 40

Policy Implications:

  • Policies should prioritize the poor
  • Economic systems should serve the marginalized
  • Wealth concentration that harms the poor is unjust

See Also: Matthew 25, Poverty Alleviation Policies

Policy Areas

Taxation

Considerations:

  • How does tax policy affect wealth concentration?
  • Does the tax system serve the poor or the wealthy?
  • What policies reduce extreme inequality?

Principles:

  • Tax policy should serve the common good
  • The burden should not fall disproportionately on the poor
  • Policies should reduce extreme concentration

Corporate Governance

Considerations:

  • How do corporate structures affect workers?
  • Do corporations serve all stakeholders or just shareholders?
  • What policies promote fair treatment?

Principles:

  • Workers should be treated with dignity
  • Corporations should serve the common good
  • Exploitation should be addressed

Worker Compensation

Considerations:

  • How does compensation affect inequality?
  • Do workers receive fair wages?
  • What policies promote fair compensation?

Principles:

  • Workers deserve fair compensation
  • Wage policies should reduce inequality
  • The gap between highest and lowest paid should be reasonable

Asset Ownership

Considerations:

  • How is wealth distributed?
  • Do people have opportunity to build assets?
  • What policies promote broader ownership?

Principles:

  • Asset ownership should be accessible
  • Barriers to ownership should be reduced
  • Concentration should be addressed

How to Advocate

Research the Issues

  • Understand current policies
  • Learn about wealth concentration
  • Identify policy solutions
  • Connect policies to Jesus’ teachings

Build Support

  • Find others who care
  • Build coalitions
  • Share the vision
  • Organize advocacy

Engage Decision Makers

  • Contact representatives
  • Attend meetings
  • Write letters
  • Organize advocacy

Sustain and Grow

  • Build relationships
  • Stay engaged
  • Expand support
  • Work for change

See Also: Political Engagement, Action

Connection to Action

Wealth concentration connects to action:

See Also: Action

See Also

Categories:
Policy