I was taught that under Calvinism, those with wealth claimed they deserved it, so God looked favorably on those people- a convenient way to keep the poor donating to the church and not question the rich. To keep the masses in their place. Were my texts and university teachers wrong about that?

And isn’t teaching that the rich are rich because they deserve it in God’s eyes the same thing as telling people that if they just give more, they too will be rich? I fail to see the difference.

Btw, I don’t agree with the “totally depraved” thing. And I don’t believe a just God shows nothing but wrath toward those He created. And a God must be Just, or it is not a God.

The God whom I worship is the God who desires Mercy, and nothing more. Mercy is love for God and love for your neighbor, because if you don’t love your neighbor, you don’t, can’t love God.

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” — GOD, Hosea 6:6

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable [to me] than sacrifice.” — GOD, Proverbs 21:3

“[I] detest the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases [me].” — GOD, Proverbs 15:9 (emphasis mine)