Poverty has been a consistent problem throughout the history of the world. No matter what the median income, unemployment or overall prosperity level is, there will always be people who are homeless and hungry. Poverty carries many different definitions, but one that truly encompasses all of its effects is, “the unfulfillment of basic human need required to adequately sustain life free from disease, misery, hunger, pain, suffering, hopelessness, and fear.” Despite being on of the most prosperous countries in the world, the United States is not immune to poverty. In 2014, 46.7 million people (15%) were in poverty in the United States. This is no small issue, and one that we as Christians are called to combat. According to the Initiative for
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Michael B. Teitz and Karen Chapple, both of the University of California, Berkeley conducted a research and came up with eight hypotheses of the causes of poverty. The eight hypotheses are:
1. Inner-city poverty is a result of profound structural economic shifts that have eroded the competitive position of the central cities in the industrial sectors that historically provided employment for the working poor, especially minorities. Thus, demand for their labor has declined disastrously.
2. Inner-city poverty in a reflection of the inadequate human capital of the labor force, which results in lower productivity and inability to compete for employment in emerging sectors that pay adequate wages.
3. Inner-city poverty results from the persistence of racial and gender discrimination in employment, which prevents the population from achieving its full potential in the labor market.
4. Inner-city poverty is the product of the complex interaction of culture and behavior, which has produced a population that is isolates, self-referential, and detached from the formal economy and labor …show more content…
In the Bible, there are many references to poverty and the poor, and in fact, according to well-known pastor and author Rick Warren, two thousand verses deal with the issue of the poor in Scripture. The Bible affirms the reality of the problem and teaches us how we, as Christians, can help the poor and how we can approach this very prominent reality. One of these verses is Deuteronomy 15:7-11 which says, “If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your
Michael B. Teitz and Karen Chapple, both of the University of California, Berkeley conducted a research and came up with eight hypotheses of the causes of poverty. The eight hypotheses are:
1. Inner-city poverty is a result of profound structural economic shifts that have eroded the competitive position of the central cities in the industrial sectors that historically provided employment for the working poor, especially minorities. Thus, demand for their labor has declined disastrously.
2. Inner-city poverty in a reflection of the inadequate human capital of the labor force, which results in lower productivity and inability to compete for employment in emerging sectors that pay adequate wages.
3. Inner-city poverty results from the persistence of racial and gender discrimination in employment, which prevents the population from achieving its full potential in the labor market.
4. Inner-city poverty is the product of the complex interaction of culture and behavior, which has produced a population that is isolates, self-referential, and detached from the formal economy and labor …show more content…
In the Bible, there are many references to poverty and the poor, and in fact, according to well-known pastor and author Rick Warren, two thousand verses deal with the issue of the poor in Scripture. The Bible affirms the reality of the problem and teaches us how we, as Christians, can help the poor and how we can approach this very prominent reality. One of these verses is Deuteronomy 15:7-11 which says, “If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your