Explain the way Christianity dealt with taking care of the poor

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In the Middle Ages, charity was seen as evidence of good works, which counted towards salvation. In the Reformation, there were several different views on treatment of the poor, both in Protestant and Catholic updates of policy. Lutheranism argued that charity was no longer a means of salvation, but that one could continue to do so out of Christian loving kindness if so desired; but that the main responsibility of the poor was communal, and therefore should be dealt with by local government institutions. Catholicism argued for the continuation of aid to the poor, but also felt that it should shift to the secular authorities, as argued by Juan Luis Vives. Some religious orders, such as the Capuchins, relied on poverty as vows and utilized begging in emulation of Christ, and therefore the long-rooted tradition of charity was harder to eliminate. Calvinism argued that wealth came from God, and therefore the rich should be taxed for the benefit of the poor, but that the State should administer programs for poor relief. Calvin also added that poverty was a sign of God's displeasure at human sins, not necessarily with the individuals but with the community as a whole.