| The
Bible speaks about poverty: Matthew 5:17-20
– 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or
the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I
tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter,
will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever
breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be
called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be
called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your
righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom
of heaven.
Good works that 'work':
The Emergency Food and Shelter
Program (EFSP) is more needed today than ever, raising concern that its
funding keep pace with rising numbers of poor and hungry people. Under the program, needy
families and individuals receive emergency food and payment of one month’s rent
and/or utility bill. Shelters can receive emergency funding to keep them functioning. But
despite EFSP’s reputation as one of the most efficiently run programs that the
government funds, President Bush has not recommended an increase in the current level of
funding for the EFSP, but he has suggested that the program be moved to Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), a move that the NCC opposes. Read
more ... |
Poverty
by the numbers: 
The homeless population is, on average, 43 percent single men, 37 percent families with
children, 13 percent single women, 7 percent unaccompanied minors. (U.S. Conference
of Mayors)
Preaching about poverty:
"Jesus
as Hero: A Sermon on Luke 4:16-20." The Rev. David Dyson, Pastor,
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, N.Y. |
