<span>According to Martin Luther's Thesis 43, it is better to give money to the poor or lend to those in need that trying to buy forgiveness. Forgiveness that is earned is preferable to forgiveness that is bought. Under the system of indulgences that existed in early sixteenth century Europe, Christians could obtain forgiveness for sin by confessing in church, but they still faced temporal punishment in the form of purgatory or by doing good deeds. Indulgences were sold to wipe their slate clean and ensure their swift entry to heaven, but the system became corrupt and abused in time.</span>
