Everybody has a story. Everyone's background is unique. We all know that there are people in the United States who are struggling to eke out an existence. They are not as fortunate or as successful as others. They cannot make a living or they are unable to meet their goals. Sadly, too many people who are not able to afford a decent standard of living are judged as being lazy, or of having immoral character. They are judged as not doing enough even though they are doing the best they can. The exact causes vary from person to person. There are people falling through the cracks of society who would become great contributors to society if only given the chance. There are barriers to some people who are serious about improving their lives like the cost of education or cost of housing for instance. Sadly more people born into poverty are not able to get out. It is true that the poor have it better than those in third world countries, but a lot of them are frowned upon, disdained, rejected, misunderstood or forgotten. There are people of all ages who are poor or working poor. The reasons for a young person starting out struggling probably differ from a middle aged person struggling for example. Some people are emotionally troubled for instance because of emotional or psychological abuse. Yes, there are some people who are lazy, but even they should not be abandoned, but have the truth spoken to them in love so they can move on. People who have many honest efforts at success, but have not been successful are naturally going to be more discouraged and may be less motivated to keep trying due to lack of hope. These people feel that they don't have a voice or are suffering silently because they know that expressing hopes and dreams they are unable to achieve is so taboo. "Only wussies share their problems and misfortunes with people." is the mindset of the rugged individualistic. Sadly some Christians feel that the less fortunate including the working poor, even when they have done their best, do not deserve better. None of us deserve anything really, but the point is those people who played the game (the rules are becoming increasingly unfair) and persevered and have faithfully worked long hours and have a successful profession or business that God has blessed them with nonetheless should not look down on people who are unable to succeed like they are. The less fortunate need our love even more.
The causes of poverty, debt, inability to maintain middle class standard of living (rising costs) inability to make ends meet etc. are complex, varied and complicated (e.g. zoning laws contributing to high cost of housing) We as loving Christians can help people and have compassion, grace and mercy on towards those who are not able to make it instead of turning the other way. 1 John 3:17 says that If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? We Christians who are doing well and have obeyed God's teachings on hard work and money management should still be using our resources to invest in the lives of these people. At the very least, we can invite a poor person to coffee and listen to their story. We need to give them hope, telling them that they are valuable and that they matter. We need to advocate for better working conditions for the working class instead of always patting the executive's back. We need training programs that will help lift people up and build them up. Our love and acceptance of people should not be based on performance. We need to break the cycle of generational poverty and sins for example by building up at risk youth, giving them a chance to make their dreams come true including giving them access to higher education through scholarships and/or advocating for lower tuition costs. Adults in poverty who have suffered emotional trauma through job loss,divorce or the loss of a loved one need a listening ear, love, grace and compassion with supportive words that give them hope and affirm their worth instead of giving them a lecture about not doing enough. Just knowing that we care could be what gives struggling people the hope they need to not give up. No Christian should be shaming the poor or assasinating their character. It is only be the grace of God that we are doing as well as we are in America. People who are struggling or not doing as well need a hand, grace, and words that will build them up and not tear down.
Who's in this with me?
The causes of poverty, debt, inability to maintain middle class standard of living (rising costs) inability to make ends meet etc. are complex, varied and complicated (e.g. zoning laws contributing to high cost of housing) We as loving Christians can help people and have compassion, grace and mercy on towards those who are not able to make it instead of turning the other way. 1 John 3:17 says that If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? We Christians who are doing well and have obeyed God's teachings on hard work and money management should still be using our resources to invest in the lives of these people. At the very least, we can invite a poor person to coffee and listen to their story. We need to give them hope, telling them that they are valuable and that they matter. We need to advocate for better working conditions for the working class instead of always patting the executive's back. We need training programs that will help lift people up and build them up. Our love and acceptance of people should not be based on performance. We need to break the cycle of generational poverty and sins for example by building up at risk youth, giving them a chance to make their dreams come true including giving them access to higher education through scholarships and/or advocating for lower tuition costs. Adults in poverty who have suffered emotional trauma through job loss,divorce or the loss of a loved one need a listening ear, love, grace and compassion with supportive words that give them hope and affirm their worth instead of giving them a lecture about not doing enough. Just knowing that we care could be what gives struggling people the hope they need to not give up. No Christian should be shaming the poor or assasinating their character. It is only be the grace of God that we are doing as well as we are in America. People who are struggling or not doing as well need a hand, grace, and words that will build them up and not tear down.
Who's in this with me?
