Korean Christians' Attitudes on the Subject of Money While Living, Working and Attending Church in the United States

This dissertation provides a study of the attitudes of Korean Christians in the United States regarding the subjects of work, money, and poverty alleviation. The study concludes with a model for congregations to use in assisting families in poverty. A questionnaire was given to the congregations of the Baptist, Full Gospel, and Presbyterian denominations, which proved to be very valuable in finding out about their
giving to the poor and needy and whether or not they found joy at work. Within each of these congregations are many Christians who find joy at work and see their jobs and income as a way to help the poor and needy; however, these questionnaires have shown there are still many Christians within each of these denominations who do not find joy at work, nor do they seek to help the poor and needy.

The survey to the pastors of these three denominations also showed that almost all of the churches had plans to help the poor and needy, but not all of them. Most of these churches looked outside of their church to help the poor and needy. Not one of the churches in my research had a program where their congregational members actually participated in meeting, supplying, and helping meet the needs of the poor, until they were able to be a success in life and help others become a success as well. Although many of these Christians found joy at work, many were still confused, uneducated in the Christian teaching on the subject of joy, and did not have a proper example to follow as to how to experience joy at work. I believe that the plan God gave me will help, not only the poor and needy but also my congregational members in South Korea and church as well.