This book gathers scholars from the three major monotheistic religions to discuss the issue of poverty and wealth from the varied perspectives of each tradition. It provides a cadre of values inherent to the sacred texts of Jews, Christians, and Muslims and illustrates how these values may be used to deal with current economic inequalities.

Introduction; Nathan R. Kollar.- PART I: Personifications of Poverty and Wealth.- 1. Reading Job 19:2-22: A Symbolic-Interactionist View of Poverty; Thomas Decker.- 2. The Story of Qarun (Korah) in the Qur’an and Its Importance for our Times; Zeki Saritoprak.- 3. Mughal Munificence: Care and Concern for the Poor in Islamic Hindustan from Tuladan to the Taj; Michael D.Calabria.- 4. Mary’s Magnificat: the Anawim and Church on the Margins; C. Denise Yarbrough.- Part II Doctrines about Poverty and Wealth.- 5. Socioeconomic and Gender Justice in the Qur’an: Modern Challenges; Zainab Alwani.- 6. Gospel Readings on Poverty and Affluence in Most Eastern and Western Churches; Regina Boisclair.- 7. Orthodox Christianity and Islam on Economic Justice: Universal Ideals and Contextual Challenges in Russia; Andrii Krawchuk.- PART III. Spiritual Traditions about Poverty and Wealth.- 8. From Possessio to Paupertas: The Emergence of Religious Poverty as a Critical Spiritual Component of Medieval Christianity; Michael Cusato.- 9. Poverty, Wealth and the Doctrine of Al-Fana’ in the Qur’an; Hussam S. Timani.- 10. Prophetic Ethics As Monotheistic Spirituality; Steven Kepnes.- 11. Christian Ethics: the “Non-Person” and the Insights of Liberation Theology for a Twentieth-First Century World; Curt Cadorette.- 12. A Spirituality for Rich and Poor: Contemporary Catholic Ideals for Economic Justice; Marvin L. Krier Mich.- PART IV. Sharing Our Wealth.- 13. Geography-Based Giving in Jewish Tradition; Malka Zeiger Simkovich.- 14. Poverty and Wealth in Islam’s Sacred Texts; Abdullah F. Al Lheedan.- 15. Overflowing Riches: Generosity, Divine and Human; Clare Amos.- Conclusion; Nathan R. Kollar. 

This book gathers scholars from the three major monotheistic religions to discuss the issue of poverty and wealth from the varied perspectives of each tradition. It provides a cadre of values inherent to the sacred texts of Jews, Christians, and Muslims and illustrates how these values may be used to deal with current economic inequalities. Contributors use the methodologies of religious studies to provide descriptions and comparisons the perspectives of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam on poverty and wealth. The book provides citations from the sacred texts of all three religions along their interpretations, contexts, and elaboration for deciphering their stances. Poverty and Wealth in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam identifies and details a foundation of common values upon which individual and institutional decisions may be made.  

“This book is an excellent comparison and contrast of each of these religions. … Overall, the comparison and contrast were done well and from a purely unbiased standpoint. I think that everyone should understand other cultures and how they view the major aspects of society. This book helps every Christian, Jew, or Muslim understand the views that the others hold to.” (Justin Dilliplane, Resolved for Christ, resolvedfc.blogspot.de, January, 2018)

“This excellent collection of essays brings together a diverse and impressive group of scholars from a variety of disciplines and faith perspectives, who intelligently and insightfully explore what the sacred texts of the three traditions have to say to the rich and the poor. The contributions are intellectually exciting and even inspirational. We can only hope that the values and perspectives outlined in this important book blossom into public policy and codes of life.” (Michael N. Dobkowski, Chair, Department of Religious Studies, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, USA) “This edited volume is a much-needed contribution to the scholarship on poverty. This book maps a path across religious lines. The interdisciplinary and interfaith nature of the book makes it appealing to a wide audience. This volume is an outstanding read for students and scholars alike, who study the interplay between religions and distribution of wealth.” (Mustafa Gökçek, Associate Professor, Departmentof History, and Director of MA program in Interdisciplinary Studies, Niagara University, USA)