Isn't poverty...

[lighthouse_hope]

...and attitudes regarding poverty a challenge to Christianity? Why should I care about the things I doubt when I know people suffer yet I do nothing?

 

[Texan40]

...and attitudes regarding poverty a challenge to Christianity? Why should I care about the things I doubt when I know people suffer yet I do nothing?

I don't think it's a challenge to Christianity but it can certainly be a challenge to the individual conveniences of Christians. By His love we are called out of our comforts to support those in need and it can be both physically and financially inconvenient for us as worldly individuals but as we follow Christ we are to step out and set ourselves apart. Prayer is a great way to help people but there is no substitute for food, clothing, etc. If you find yourself often praying that someone gets help perhaps God can use you as an answer to that prayer.

 

[Thaeoles]

Our faith and grace in Christ are to help us suffer with people, along side people. Faith in Christ should drive us to help those in need and share the Gospel with them in word and deed. I was once homeless, I know a part of what it's like to wonder when the next meal will be. That is why I very much dislike "western christianity", because it is very self-centered with the mentality of 'rugged individualism' rather than a community with helps each other out as they did in the early Church as described in acts. A lot of Christians(including myself to my own shame) like to live in the theoretical rather than the actual; as in "If we could do this this way, or wouldn't it be cool if it were that way, or the Church should be this way" instead of actually breaking the sweat and doing the hard work to get it done.

 

[tadoflamb]

You'd think that by following a Savior (and the mass readings lately are all about following) who associated himself so inextricably with the poor that that's where Chrisitians would be. Sadly, I've found this not to be the case. So, I have to say that poverty is a challenge to Christianity, a challenge we've chose largely to ignore.

I ask myself, "How can this be?"

For one, Christianity is so divided right now and with the pressures each faith community experiences in finding and funding a place to worship as well as a pastor to lead them, it's no wonder that they have little resources available to help those in need.

Secondly, I wonder if it's even important to some Christian denominations that they serve those in need. I've run across attitudes of 'the deserving poor' and what not, so maybe, theologically, confronting poverty is not that important to them.

And thirdly, I've found the most prevelant charities in my area have a profit motive. That is, they've figured out how to make a career out of helping people. Sort of a 'do well by doing good' philosophy.

So, yes, poverty is a challenge to Christianity. A challenge which has gone by some, largely ignored.

 

[ebia]

...and attitudes regarding poverty a challenge to Christianity? Why should I care about the things I doubt when I know people suffer yet I do nothing?

Absolutely.

 

[suzybeezy]

Well if you consider that money is the root of all evil, I don't think poverty is as worrisome as wealth is. Granted, wealth may be more comfortable in this life, but believing Matt 19:24 that It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God, I think I'm glad God didn't give me a life of wealth.

I think the challenge is for those who have money to learn to give and not be so consumed with keeping hold of what will have no value once they pass through this world and what could ultimately keep them out.

 

[sunlover1]

Poverty isn't a surprise.
Jesus even said that "the poor you will always have with you.."
And it isn't a challenge.
Jesus also told us what to do about the poor.
"..Preach the gospel to the poor.."

Go get em!

 

[DD2008]

...and attitudes regarding poverty a challenge to Christianity? Why should I care about the things I doubt when I know people suffer yet I do nothing?

I believe in separation of Church and State. The Church should take care of charity and the state should enforce laws and protect the people. The rest should be ran by the private sector. So, I believe that the reason we have gross amounts of hurt is a failure of the Church to some degree and a failure of the people to some degree. People should leave the government out of other peoples lives where it only complicates things further by wasting all the resources and corrupting the youth with liberal stupidity. The Church should minister to all people and preach the gospel to the world. If the gospel were to take root in people's lives then the abominations we call governments would be reformed and cut back to where they should be.

 

[cobweb]

"The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry man; the coat hanging unused in your closet belongs to the man who needs it; the shoes rotting in your closet belong to the man who has no shoes; the money which you put in the bank belongs to the poor. You do wrong to everyone you could help, but fail to help." (St. Basil the Great)


It is something that most of us struggle with.

 

[tadoflamb]

When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice.~St. Gregory the Great

 

[tadoflamb]

2446 St. John Chrysostom vigorously recalls this: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs."239 "The demands of justice must be satisfied first of all; that which is already due in justice is not to be offered as a gift of charity":240


Catechism of the Catholic Church - PART 3 SECTION 2 CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE 7

 

[DD2008]

2446 St. John Chrysostom vigorously recalls this: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs."239 "The demands of justice must be satisfied first of all; that which is already due in justice is not to be offered as a gift of charity":240


Catechism of the Catholic Church - PART 3 SECTION 2 CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE 7

Justice is receiving what you've earned. Charity is receiving what you haven't earned from another who has earned it because that other feels you need it. Mercy isn't justice. John Chrysostom was in error there.

 

[Fireinfolding]

I cant find half these guys sayings in scriptures most of the time, I prefer script myself.

 

[tadoflamb]

The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work with his (own) hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need. (Ephesians 4:28)

 

[Fireinfolding]

The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work with his (own) hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need. (Ephesians 4:28)

Much better

 

[cobweb]

I cant find half these guys sayings in scriptures most of the time, I prefer script myself.

How about this one from Matthew 25:

41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

 

[tadoflamb]

Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Beat me to it.

 

[Fireinfolding]

How about this one from Matthew 25:

41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

I have no problem with scripture just mens words I cant find there. They dont say the same thing.

Again amen on scripture

If you quoted his words more we'd really bond Tad

 

[Fireinfolding]

Sorry Cobweb I realized you were not Tad

 

[DD2008]

The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work with his (own) hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need. (Ephesians 4:28)

One in need is key...

One who is lazy and slothful should not be rewarded for his laziness:

2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV
[10] For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.