Competition and poverty in the modern society

The article studies the influence of competition ideas on the poverty problem from the perspective of the Orthodox Christian faith. It is shown that poverty in the New Testament appears not only as a misfortune and punishment, but also as a voluntary selfless lifestyle. At the same time, the “economy-centered” social order forms new specific features of this old problem. The pursuit of material goods and dissatisfaction with inequality increases the subjective personal sensation of poverty. Enterprises’ striving to maximize profits creates a constant layer of the unemployed and various abuses of workers. The philosophy of liberalism together with other factors contribute to formation of a special group of socially unprotected citizens - “precariat”. The classic portrait of a poor person as a fallen, lost person is also relevant in modern civilization due to impoverishment of the soul and resorting to various sinful methods of consoling it. It is also appropriate to mention spiritual and cultural degradation of man due to enslavement with material concerns and prevalence of electronic methods of communication. Also the problem of people’s credit load, their loss of inner and outer freedom in banking-capitalist relations requires special attention. According to the Revelation of God, the Church of Christ should proclaim to people the true spiritual riches of life with the Savior, as well as the correct arrangement of earthly deeds by seeking first the truth of God (Mt 6:33).