Poverty

Proverbs 10:15

Wealth protects the rich; 

poverty destroys the poor.

 

Thought for the day

The author Terry Pratchett once wrote that the difference between rich and poor people was their boots. Rich people can afford to buy boots that last a lifetime, poor people end up spending what little they have, on constantly replacing the cheap boots they have to buy because they can’t afford better boots. And it’s an interesting take on today’s verse about wealth and poverty. But the question of wealth and poverty is a difficult one for Christians. Growing up in Southern Africa I was very aware of vast differences in wealth distribution. Even here in the UK, the differences between the wealthy and the poor are everywhere if you know where to look.

In the Scriptures wealth is a blessing but it is a blessing that can and will for many people become an idol. Go read the account of the rich young man (Matthew 19:16-30). But like many of God’s gifts they are given out as he chooses. There will be believers that have to struggle for every penny, relying on God for everything. Jesus reminds us that poor are blessed because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them. What we need richer believers to do is support those poorer believers. This is a biblical model that we see in the book of Acts where the early church sold their possessions and gave the proceeds to the Church. Because they recognised that poverty can and does rob, steal and destroy the poor. James writes in James 2: ‘If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?

God gives us talents, gifts and blessings so we can share them with others. But we are called to support those who have little but maybe dealing with poverty begins with buying someone a better pair of boots.