Saints LightWhat Is the Preferential Option for the Poor?
The preferential option for the poor means that Christians judge their choices first by how they affect the poorest, because Christ Himself is found in them.
What this lesson teaches
- Jesus identified Himself with the poor and the least.
- The preferential option means looking first at how choices affect those with the least.
- The universal destination of goods means property carries a duty to serve others.
- Catholics may debate methods, but may never forget the poor.
Catechism paragraphs this lesson cites
- CCC 2402-2404
- CCC 2443-2449
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Scripture read in this lesson: Matthew 25:40; Luke 4:18.
A sample question from this lesson
What does "preferential" mean in the preferential option for the poor?
- God loves the poor more than the rich
- We look first at how our choices affect those with the least
- Poor people are automatically holier than others
- Only the poor can be saved
Show the answer
We look first at how our choices affect those with the least. Like a parent attending first to a sick child, the Church gives first attention to those in greatest need without loving anyone less.
The lesson in the app has three questions, each with an explanation.
Words to know
- Universal destination of goods
- The principle that God gave the earth's goods to all people, so property carries social responsibility.
- Works of mercy
- Acts of charity that meet the bodily and spiritual needs of others.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
Read the full lesson in the app
"What Is the Preferential Option for the Poor?" is lesson 6 of Catholic Social Teaching. In Saints Light you get the whole teaching, the Scripture quoted in full, all three questions and a step to live it this week.
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Related lessons
- The Seventh Commandment: Do Not Steal (The Commandments)
- The Works of Mercy (Grace and Virtue)
- What Did the Middle Ages Build? (Church History)