The debate on poverty and richness has spanned the history of civilisations. In drawing the boundaries of what is "own" and what is "common", it has contributed to the elaboration of an economic ethic in which beliefs, mindsets and values have pervaded the actions of both individuals and community. In the different cults, the condition of poverty and the acquisition of richness are conceived as peculiar forms of com-participation with the divinities, at other times as immoral actions, or again - especially with reference to wealth - as earthly signs of providential election. In the interweaving of history, law and religion, it is interesting to investigate the role played by entities with ideal aims within the legal systems in which the relationship between economics and ethics is most firmly established. When economics is separated from ethics, everything seems infinitely manipulable; law, in that case, contrasts with justice, clemency and charity.