BOGĂȚIA ȘI SĂRĂCIA ÎN VECHIUL TESTAMENT
WEALTH AND POVERTY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Summary/Abstract: Between the Old Testament and the New Testament there are striking contradictions in their approach to wealth and poverty. 1. In the Old Testament: 1.1. God encouraged and was very generous with the provision of numerous and great material riches, sometimes exorbitant, as in the case of Solomon, Job, Isaac, etc. 1.2. Wealth is not regarded as a hindrance to a man’s salvation, even if he puts his trust in it and is unwilling to give it up for the sake of the poor. 1.3. Poverty is not condemned, but it is not appreciated, and even more so, it is not glorified. 2. In the New Testament: 2.1. Poverty is what is blessed by Jesus Christ, from encouraging it, favoring it, to guaranteeing that the Kingdom of God belongs (only) to the poor. (See, for example, Luke 6:20; Matthew 5:3, etc.; 1 Timothy 6:8; Matthew 19:21). 2.2. Wealth is condemned. (See, for example, Matthew 19:23,24). All the material and spiritual riches of the Jews of the Old Testament (and of all times, say the Jews), quite numerous and great, were (and are) obtained through the favors granted by God to them. Material wealth must be seen as the path to spiritual wealth. This article presents a few examples (among the many others of this kind that exist) of characters from „God’s chosen people, Israel” in the Old Testament who came to have great spiritual and material wealth through God’s favors , through his involvement and direct intervention.

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