Greed: A Significant Factor

Dommen, Edward. "Calvin's Views on Greed." Ecumenical Review. Blackwell Publishing, October 2011. Web. 8 November 2011.

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In "Calvin's Views on Greed", Edward Dommen describes the beliefs of John Calvin, a former Church reformer who had conceptions of greed and debates whether or not greed is still at work, specifically between the rich and the poor. Edward Dommen's article talks about Calvin's belief that the rich should always help the poor. His article is a definite religious article of what believers of God follow. He states, "We are taught that the rich have received more abundance on condition that they should be ministers to the poor by providing the good things placed in their hands by the goodness of God... When God gives someone more than he needs, he establishes him there as if he was [God’s] own person." The article also states the opinion of Edward Dommen when he states "Note that the duty of the rich is not just to redistribute goods, but to help their neighbors to live." He tends to agree with the beliefs of John Calvin and supports the greed between the rich and the poor. He goes into his article also talking about the poor and how they are greedy as well, by accepting offers from the rich. This article talks about the basic greed of human beings and how we should all help each other in one way or another.

Although this article is strictly directed toward the Christian audience, it proves a significant point that our society should be based on helping each other and doing what is right. This brings up my research question of whether or not it is logical to help the poor access more jobs, by considering them more than the rich. Should the rich be less greedy by letting the poor access these jobs? The article is not a factual article, but it explains how it all comes down to the right and the wrong on whether or not the rich should give more to the poor and stop being "greedy" or the other factor that they worked for their money and they should not have to help the poor because it is their own problem. John Calvin's ideas show that our society should be less greedy when it comes to helping each other out and with money issues as well.