The poor

To most of the world, especially the destitute people in the third world, America's poor look very affluent. Particularly when you realize that, according to the National Poverty Center at the University of Michigan, in the USA one is designated poor if the household income is less than $21,000 for a family of four. Their report shows that, "In 2007, 12.5 percent of all persons lived in poverty. In 1993 the poverty rate was 15.1 percent. Between 1993 and 2000, the poverty rate fell each year, reaching 11.3 percent in 2000." These are really shocking statistics for the wealthiest nation on the planet.

Folks who read their Bibles should not be surprised by these conditions of poverty. Jesus stated plainly, "For the poor you have with you always" (John 12:8). He certainly wasn't unsympathetic, but He was being realistic. Why is there poverty? Why are people poor? These are complex questions, but there are some simple answers.

In Proverbs10:4, Solomon states, "He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." Now this isn't the only reason for poverty. There are many others. For example, "He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich" (Proverbs 21:17). Certainly, diligence is required to prosper, and constant pursuit of pleasure will undermine one's ability to be productive and to prosper.

Of course, there are other reasons for poverty. For example, the untimely death of the breadwinner in a family can leave the family destitute. Divorce can be very costly in emotional, spiritual, and economic terms, setting people back for years as they recover from the devastating effects of a marital breakup. Economic upheaval can push people into poverty.

Improper use of credit has resulted in a huge crisis that has brought the world to its economic knees in recent months. Solomon explained the principle long ago when he wrote, "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7).

The Apostle John put it into perspective for Christians in 3 John 2, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." We see from ancient times that when people consistently put God's ways into practice, prosperity and plenty was the result. On the other hand, when the people were lax and despised His ways, the natural consequences of their actions brought terrible problems and suffering upon them.

It is the same today. There is cause and effect. When mankind puts God's ways into practice, peace, prosperity and plenty result. When God's ways are ignored, tragedy, poverty, filth, squalor, heartache, and pain are the result. The history of mankind vividly tells the story.

The Bible makes it very plain in several places that the poor are not to be oppressed or taken advantage of in any way. In fact, they are to be helped in working out of their poverty. Here is one example, "Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother" (Zechariah 7:10).

There is coming a time of peace and plenty, symbolized by the colorful phrase, "But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid" (Micah 4:4). God speed that Day!

If you would like to know more about how to avoid or escape poverty, or how to help those who are poor, request our free booklet, The Ten Commandments, which presents these timeless laws in a way that you have not seen before. You can order it or read it online at www.tomorrowsworld.org.