Today's world__________

[LifeHiscost]

__________in the U.S.

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Why you can't "bootstrap" yourself out of poverty

By Nicole Goodkind Daily Ticker

It’s a counterintuitive idea to say the least, but it costs a lot to be poor in the United States. When money is at its tightest, cost-saving choices are often impossible to make, digging impoverished Americans deeper and deeper into the pit of day-by-day living.

A common narrative in today’s political arena is that the nation’s least fortunate only need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps – that they’re just not working hard enough. What often goes unnoticed, however, are the overwhelming barriers that those living below the poverty line face on a daily basis.

A car, for example, is a necessity for many jobs but the down payment can be insurmountably high. And even after the down payment poor drivers still face monthly payments, high gas prices, and the fact that low-income car buyers pay 2% more for a car loan than affluent people. Low-income drivers can also pay up to $400 more annually than wealthier drivers to insure their cars (for a car of the same model and with the same driver risk).

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-tic...-172104522.html

"Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”"2 Thessalonians 3:10 NLT

Why would God make work a prerequisite for the privilege of eating and then let circumstances develop to the extent that make it almost impossible to "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps"?

I'm satisfied it is, to some extent, a result of man needing to recognize our sustenance or benefits are a result of trusting in Him and not thinking capitalism is one of the keys to the Kingdom.

" “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"Matthew 6:25 NASB

Thoughts?

God cares! Jesus saves!

[debbym]

Quote:

“Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”"2 Thessalonians 3:10 NLT

it does not say those who are out of a job, in the 21st century, living in a concrete jungle, should go hungry and perish. it says those in that culture and time who were unwilling to work should not be fed by others but be left to feel hungry and then be motivated to make an effort to obtain food for themselves.

the principle is, do not encourage indolence among the believers by caring for and providing for those who can otherwise provide for themselves. it is about "willingness" to work, not about struggling with socioeconomic issues of poverty in the 21st century.

we have extensive deep human poverty in parts of the world with many factors contributing to it. it is not an issue there of just being unwilling to make an effort to get enough food to eat.

the fortunate struggle and scrape and hopefully find something to eat every day. and those millions who are dying of starvation, it is not because they are unwilling to work.

[phkrause]

Exactly debbym

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

it does not say those who are out of a job, in the 21st century, living in a concrete jungle, should go hungry and perish.

I'm more of the opinion that the God of all the earth is just as willing to provide for daily needs, work available or not, as He was willing and able to provide manna for 40 years without manual labor for it expected, especially when we reach the place where we are facing the death penalty for refusing to accept the mark of the beast.

A personal experience within the last number of months. We had spent the limited budget for food for the next two weeks, wondering how we were going to make it stretch. We were not in any way in any serious threat of severe deprivation except being restricted to less than enough of the staff of life, bread to the uninitiated.

At the end of the first week I told my wife we had just 4 more slices of bread to last until next payday, which was about 8 days away. Both of us were confident God would provide though we might not be able to eat just what was most satisfying to us.

The next evening when going out to the refrigerator, which stands outside, upon opening the fridge door there were three loaves of bread, exactly like the three we had purchased at the local store the previous week.

I don't have to see the other 599,999 that God is providing for in similar manner, who are trusting in Him to make available what is needed, to know we aren't going to face temptation beyond that which we are able to bear.

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord,

And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,

Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

I have been young and now I am old,

Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken

Or his descendants begging bread.

All day long he is gracious and lends,

And his descendants are a blessing."Psalm 37:23-26 NASB

God saves! Jesus Cares!