Christian Mission and Poverty

Chapter 5: Church Teaching

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Discussion Questions

Aquinas says that stealing in times of extreme need is not theft. What would he say about those who prevent others from accessing the basic necessities of life? Does this happen in your community? Why does Aquinas say private ownership is a good thing? How does his view of private ownership differ from the modern “free market”? In Genesis 2, God gave all the trees in the garden to humanity in general (plural “you”). How might Aquinas be applying this passage? How does this understanding of God caring for all humanity affect your feelings toward others? Why would Aquinas say that charging usury is a sin while accepting loans with usury is not? Why would he defend the victims of usury but not its perpetrators? Is the way you are using your hands helping or hurting yourself and others? How does Aquinas’s critique of usury relate to today? How should we live in regard to practices like holding mortgages and land contracts, charging others interest, applying for payday loans, purchasing on a rent-to-own basis, and taking on or accumulating debt? What habits should those with financial means develop in regard to using money justly?