THE UNWINNABLE POVERTY WAR – Nov. 10TH

MEDITATION VERSE:

“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.” Deut. 15:11 

LBJ declared war on poverty in 1964 by creating the modern welfare state. According to the CATO Institute, the US gov’t has spent nearly $15 trillion, at a current rate of $1 trillion/yr, with no mearsurable result. Poverty is still with us. We can make it to the moon but why can’t we eradicate poverty? Poverty is a permanent fixture of our society because it is not an economic problem. It is spiritual. This is why both Jesus & Moses said that we will always have the poor with us. Deut. 15:4-5 explains poverty’s origin as a refusal to obey the voice of the Lord our God; not being careful to do all that is commanded. A successful war on poverty must be waged at the individual heart level. That is a war only God can win. This is why God’s people are the greatest poverty fighting force in the world. It is through our generosity, hands held wide open, to our brothers, accompanied with the gospel, that the poor will be transformed both materially & spiritually. The loving of my neighbor as myself reaches way beyond this physical world. It is when Believers are willingly following God in obedience in all areas that we will see a dent in the spiritual & material poverty of our land. A great examination for our heart is to see where & how we spend our money. Are you generous; do you give liberally to you brother? Do you even care? Let’s make today a that the war on poverty becomes effective.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for giving me riches beyond my wildest dreams; thank you for freeing me from the poverty of my own soul.  Father, give me eyes to see my neighbors as you; give me the ability to know their true poverty.  Lord, change my heart to that of compassion and generosity so that you will be clearly seen in all that I do.        Amen