Thoughts on poverty…

As Jesus ministered to people, he fought poverty. He did this in two ways. First, he healed people of sicknesses and debilitating physical situations. This would allow the person to no longer be secluded socially, meaning they could legitimately pursue employment or servanthood. They would be ceremonially clean. Also, Jesus took care of the heart issue. A lot of people are unable to work because of something internal, like intense bitterness or hatred that clogs a person’s heart and head from being able to focus clearly. The deep emotional problems could impede a person’s ability to work consistently or productively. When Jesus forgave them, a heart transformation took place and they had the ability to rid themselves of the guilt, emotions or depraving effects of sin. If we take this model to a modern era, we could be effective in fighting poverty just as Jesus did. Take care of people’s physical and spiritual needs. If you get rid of the excuses to work, then they will have to own up to who they are inside. At that point, they will either choose to move on in God’s forgiveness and make something significant of themselves, or they will go back to self-pity and self-deprecation; rendering themselves beggars of pity, and “helpless” aside from others’ charity.

This may come across as a little harsh or hard, but it also comes from not knowing every circumstance of every person who is living in a poverty situation. I am only writing out of a general sense from the stories I have encountered in life, not an all-encompassing knowlegde.