Why does God allow the world to be split into rich and poor?

This hardship is not God’s will but the work of human beings. God has expressly told the rich to share with the poor, and if that does not happen, the fault lies with people, not with God or religion.

When there is abundance in one part of the world and hunger in another, this cannot be blamed on God. People inflict this hardship on one another. God has given human beings the freedom to act justly or unjustly.

At heart, all religions teach the same thing. Whoever loves God also loves His creatures. Whoever serves God also serves people. There is no dividing line between one’s relationship with God and one’s relationship with others. The verse above says that in the wealth of the righteous there is a share for those in need. That share is a right of the poor, not a gift from the rich.

So whoever allows others to suffer and does not share their misery can hardly call himself a true believer, whatever his religion. Often people even add to that suffering themselves, through politics, economics and behaviour that have nothing to do with their own faith. This is as true of countries shaped by Christianity as of Muslim countries.

People sometimes also ask why countries with many believers remain poor. God is not against development. Japan, for example, a small country, took the path of science with determination and made great progress. Where nations fall behind, it is often due to idleness and to religious leaders who stand in the way of learning and progress.

If faith were truly lived, the world would look different. That it does not shows no fault in religion, but a fault in the people who call themselves religious. Everyone can begin with themselves, by acting justly and by sharing.