Blogging about Poverty
Today is Blog Action Day, with a focus on poverty.
What do I know about poverty? In many respects, very little. I live in an affluent city, and moved here from another. I grew up middle class, though for a time we lived pretty close to the vest after my father left. But we survived. My mom went to work for our neighbor and then later married again -- but that wasn't such a great thing. I've seen poverty, I've been near it, but I've not lived in poverty.
But the reality is this -- poverty is all around us, even in affluent areas. We sometimes want to sweep it off to the side, cover it up, or look away. But that doesn't make it go away. When we address it, the question is: Who is responsible?
- Churches can help, but we're unable to deal with the systemic and structural elements.
- Non-profits can help, but like churches they can deal with symptoms not the systems.
- Government can help, and the government more than any other entity can help deal with the systems.
But even here not all of the issues can be dealt with. It takes us all -- government, nongovernmental, private and public, working together, seeking to find solutions, knowing that we'll never be able to address them all. We hear Jesus speak of judgment on those who fail to feed the hungry, give sustenance to the thirsty, clothe the naked. It is our responsibility -- all of us -- Jesus seems to say (Matthew 25:31ff).
By ourselves, we can do little. Together we can make a difference. What then can we do? What solutions do you suggest?
Comments
Could you expand on this just to help me? I am incredibly ignorant on this issue except that my father runs a homeless shelter. His one unique comment is often the homeless are well taken care of in terms of soup kitchens, places to stay, but often its the working poor that need so much help. The cycle is so hard to break.
I ask to expound only b/c if you think about it.. in terms of structure, you will find a church in almost every town in america. In fact, more than one and definitely more than government. If you think about it.. taxing and tithing are essentially the same idea. (HUGE leap here I know) But you are asking a body to chip in.. and ideally those funds go to help those in needs. Again.. VERY pie in the sky.. but we serve a BIG God!
It takes governments to change systemic injustice. Churches can't change tax laws, or protect rights. Churches can't take over the legal system and guide the hand of justice. Charity is wonderful, but it is no substitute for justice. Justice, on the other hand, can eliminate the need for charity.
First.. what is a tax? Its really a "forced" tithe isn't it? Church can't influence tax law, and frankly should it even care? Jesus didn't when asked.. and this was under a highly oppressive, over taxed state.
Bob, I think you hit the issue when you say people don't give.. its a heart condition. In America, we teach individualism, be all that you can be, get ahead..