8. The Lie Poverty Tells Us

This year is the 50th anniversary of the War on Poverty, a wave of federal initiatives and programs designed to reduce poverty rate. Poverty looks very different now than it did 50 years ago. Now the poor are working and there is rise of single-parent homes. However, the poor still gets low paychecks, and welfare programs. Poverty seems inescapable and the chance of a poor person getting a good and sustainable job is rare. Those who are poor do not see it as a temporary condition and will not sit around and wait for the government to try and fix it. Being poor become’s their identity. Poverty is written in scripture, “Poverty is ‘theirs’ in Proverbs 10:15, ‘yours’ in Proverbs 24:34, and ‘his’ in Proverbs 31:7. The descriptors indicate ownership. This poverty is mine. It is who I am. I am the sum of my poverty.” People try to avoid and stay away from poverty for they are afraid of it. Most poor people consider themselves of little value. “’There is never enough’ becomes “there is never enough for me, because I am not worth it,” in a vicious cycle of irreconcilable self-condemnation.” People living in poverty are twice more likely to suffer from depression. The poor feel trapped in an “impenetrable darkness.” However there is a place where the poor can find comfort and hope in; and that is in the Lord. Even through the worst circumstances in life, those who live in poverty can posses the Kingdom of God; amidst of the hopelessness they feel. “The poor may very well find hope in Jesus when they own that they too have an eternal soul-and-spirit home… On my darkest days, I work hard to remember that one day I will find myself in possession of spiritual rewards that far outweigh the temporary struggles I face today.”

 Grace Biskie, the author of this article, sends a very powerful message through her report. She used informal language so the reader could somehow connect to her story. Throughout the entire article she is very strong-headed and the reader can see she is very passionate with what she believes in. She follows a pattern during her report: she gives a simple example and then she states her own personal experience. She uses accurate and useful resources; her examples fit perfectly with her text and she has a perfect timing for them. The reader receives most of the message towards the end, however, the message is received: in the eyes of the Lord all are equal and He will love and accept you the way you are because He does not care for your possessions but He cares about your heart. Even the poorest person in the world can be filled with the love of Jesus Christ. All who read this article can understand that she is not just saying that; she wants people to know they are not alone, that their life means a lot and they are loved. The reader can understand that through her own experiences that she states in the article.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/women/2014/september/lie-poverty-tells-us.html