| The
Bible speaks about poverty: Job 5:8-16 –
8 "As
for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause. 9 He does
great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. 10 He
gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; 11 he sets on
high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. 12 He
frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. 13 He
takes the wise in their own craftiness; and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick
end. 14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at noonday as
in the night. 15 But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth,
from the hand of the mighty. 16 So the poor have hope, and injustice
shuts its mouth.
Poverty datebook for today:
"Effects of Globalization on Women in Communities"
panel on women and poverty, will include US-based women and global women in dialogue.
Sponsored by Ecumenical Women 2000 Plus. Details: www.ew2000plus.org or Jennifer Butler, Presbyterian UN Office,
212-697-4568.
Good works that 'work':
It could be described as a one-room church in a highly stressed community.
That would be true, but it wouldn't hint at the power of the vision emanating from West Side Missionary Baptist Church of
West Oakland, California or the scope of the achievements of its pastor, the
Rev. Ken Chambers, Sr. Chambers received the 2001 NCC President's Award
for his leadership in faith-based economic development projects.
|
Poverty
by the numbers: 
One in seven children in the United States has a worker in
their family but is still poor. (Children's Defense Fund) (Photo from Salvation Army.)
Poverty rates among
children in single-mother families were particularly striking: 55 percent of such
children under six lived in poverty in 1998. The figures were even higher for black
children -- 60 percent; and Hispanic children -- 67 percent. -- Source: National Jobs for All Coalition.
Preaching about poverty:
"What
Would Jesus Say About Wealth?" Dr. David P. Gushee, Graves Associate
Professor of Moral Philosophy at Union University, Jackson, Tennessee. |
