Dives and Pauper starts the inquiry with the question of what the Christian scriptures teach about wealth (temporalia) and salvation.

[4] Written in Middle English, Dives and Pauper is a long prose treatise which is structured as a dialogue between a wealthy layman and a spiritual poor man.

Pauper, reflective of a friar, states that he observes the path of Christ-like perfection and chooses to live as a poor man, helping people spiritually in return for sustenance.

[4][2] In 1548 John Bale initially attributed Dives and Pauper to Henry Parker, who was a Carmelite friar.

[7] The author of Dives and Pauper engages in numerous aspects of theology, including the use of images and icons in worship, the effectiveness of the Church hierarchy, issues of oaths and the paying of tithes.

[5] Pauper states that he follows the path of Christ-like perfection and in return for alms, he feeds people spiritually.

[9] The author implies that the vernacular concepts of God during the time of writing where helpless in overcoming sentiments and devotions to superstition.

[4] In Commandment I the writer alludes to the troubles of England referring to the ‘comoun lawe’ the De heretico comburendo.

[4][11] The writer expresses protest against the De heretico comburendo which restricted preaching and the translating of the Latin Bible and scriptures for distribution.

[4][11][10] The author of Dives and Pauper expresses that the Constitutions of Archbishop Arundel were enforced to restrict access to the vernacular Bible.

[4] Dives and Pauper engaged in ideas reflecting Wycliffite ideology, including denouncing corruption in the clergy and supporting access to the English translations of the Bible.

[4] As a result, under the De heretico comburendo and the Constitutions implemented by Archbishop Arundel, ownership of Dives and Pauper was declared heresy.