Is the economy really hurting the poor?

It is no secret that the American economy is struggling - big time! Basic costs of nearly everything are rising across the board, much of it due to increasing fuel costs. Not only does it cost more now to drive a car and heat a home, but nearly everything on the store shelf got there by some vehicle using an oil based product – not to mention those items which are physically made using petroleum products.

And now this increased financial pressure has meant more and more are turning to food stamps. Demand is reported to be up in 43 states with fourteen of them showing record highs. In Michigan, one in every eight residents is on food stamps and one in seven in Kentucky. Those working or retired, living near the poverty line - less than about $28,000 per family of four - is eligible for the benefits, The figures work out to about $100 per person per month.

Economic difficulties can make life difficult and cause great stress on an individual or family. And yet, the terms ‘poor’ or ‘poverty’ are somewhat relative. Those making what the government considers to be at a level of subsistence in America would be seen as rich in a country like Haiti.

An article from Heritage.org, using various government reports, stated the following concerning those the Census Bureau says are at the poverty level. “Overall, the typical American defined as poor by the government has a car, air conditioning, a refrigerator, a stove, a clothes washer and dryer, and a microwave. He has two color televisions, cable or satellite TV reception, a VCR or DVD player, and a stereo. He is able to obtain medical care. His home is in good repair and is not overcrowded. If poverty means lacking nutritious food, adequate warm housing, and clothing for a family, relatively few of the 35 million people identified as being "in poverty" by the Census Bureau could be characterized as poor. While material hardship does exist in the United States, it is quite restricted in scope and severity. The average "poor" person, as defined by the government, has a living standard far higher than the public imagines.”

True poverty is a serious issue and one worthy of addressing wherever it is found. But the ultimate form of poverty is found in an unexpected place and in an unusual form. The Bible describes it in 2 Corinthians 8. In verse 9 the writer says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”

That explanation of that voluntary poverty is revealed in Philippians chapter 2. Verse 6 speaks of the selfless ministry Jesus Christ, “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

In Luke 18, the Lord shared a story about a rich young ruler who had approached Him about finding eternal life. In his mind, the man had obeyed the law from his youth and was worthy of heaven on that basis. But Jesus knew that his many possessions were the man’s true god and standing in the way of any real repentance or conversion. In verse 22, the sad ending to the story is revealed. “So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Luke 21:1-4 speaks of a woman who was materially poor but spiritually rich in faith. In Verse 1 Jesus’ words about her are recorded. “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had."

True poverty is a heartbreaking and difficult issue and the source of untold misery for those who are bound by its destructive grip. But no lack of material goods can ever match the tragedy of being without the “abundant life” found in the Savior. He became dramatically poor that we might become eternally rich through His life-giving sacrifice. And when all is said and done, even the poorest soul on earth is richer by far than the wealthiest man alive if his faith is in Christ and his treasure stored in heaven!

Bill Breckenridge