Is There A Biblical Answer To Poverty?

The Federalist ^ | 05/13/2014 | Gracy Olmstead

[GeronL]

The poor will always be with us

[Arthur McGowan]

Is there a Biblical answer to poverty?

No. Why must there be?

The answer is to be found in Austrian Economics—i.e., in the use of human reason as exercised by intellectually honest people.

[boycott]

I found much of the answer in a post from earlier today. Anyone that reads this and understands it will agree that it’s the answer for most of poverty today.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3155433/posts

[DannyTN]

"The answer is to be found in Austrian Economics—i.e., in the use of human reason as exercised by intellectually honest people."

ROFLMAO

[Arthur McGowan]

One of the most-frequently twisted verses in Scripture.

Jesus was talking about the poor as contrasted with Himself—because He was going to die shortly.

He was not issuing a prophecy about poverty. He was certainly not—as is often claimed—saying that all efforts to help the poor are futile.

[Arthur McGowan]

Do you always ROFLMAO when you hear the truth?

[Alex Murphy]

Is there a Biblical answer to poverty? No. Why must there be? The answer is to be found in Austrian Economics—i.e., in the use of human reason as exercised by intellectually honest people.

While I have no argument with the Austrian School of Economics, I'm going to have to take issue with the first half of your answer.

[jimmyray]

That was my first thought as well, but upon reading the article, I did not respond similarly. I am in agreement that the answer to poverty is work. Giving to the poor only exacerbates their plight. Rather, they should be taught a skill commiserate with their abilities, and required to earn their keep, like the rest of us. Adam was not created to lie around, but rather to tend the garden, and subdue the earth.

Nevertheless, we will always have some poor among us, but in the US we should have about 95% less than we do.

[Ohioan]

Certainly the way that the safety net operated in Jefferson's time was far, far closer to the Biblical approach to those genuinely in need, than anything in the past century in America originating in the political domain.

See Jefferson On Welfare.

William Flax

[Salvation]

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 10:41
Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.

Matthew 25:43
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

Matthew 25:45
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

[Salvation]

Matthew 25:35-37

…35For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?…

 

Isaiah 58:7
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

 

Hebrews 13:3
Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

 

2 Timothy 1:16
May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.

 

James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 2:15
Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.

James 2:16
If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

"The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want." --Mark 14:7

Translation: Poor people have poor ways, and there will always be people with poor ways.

[Ohioan]

What you say, so far as it goes, is correct. But see my post, immediately above, for how to deal with those who because of disabilities really do need a helping hand. And note the final comment from the author of the Declaration of Independence.

[CrazyIvan]

When I read the title I thought this might be about those goofy “Biblical money code” radio adds.

[Rusty0604]

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.…2 Thessalonians 3:10

[Responsibility2nd]

Essayist Walter Kaiser, Jr. points out that the Bible offered help the poor and needy, but with limited government intervention: “The emphasis was more on the local level and on the need for individuals to respond, rather than leaving the work for the government to pick up.”

 

This is a very good article. And in conflict with and contrast to the points herein, we have the Pope suggesting we should redistribute our benefits.

 

[MrB]

The book of proverbs is full promises of rewards for diligence and seeking after wisdom,

and full of promises of destruction for the fool and sluggard.

[Responsibility2nd]

YOU are a Catholic priest? After reading that humanist clap-trap in post 3, I thought you were an atheist.

[mulligan]

Death?