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Ecumenical Consensus on Poverty

Sat, 02/17/2007 - 22:49 — William Burnett

Mark Adams, over at Dispassionate Liberal (also see here) blogged on a recent statement by Christian Churches Together on the need to eliminate domestic and global poverty.

According to the CCT statement:

As Christian leaders in the wealthiest society on earth, we are called by God to urge our churches and nation to strengthen and expand efforts to address the scandal of widespread poverty in the United States and around the world. The Gospel and our ethical principles place our service of the poor and vulnerable and our work for justice at the center of Christian life and witness (emphasis added).

Given the growing problem of poverty here and abroad, and the obvious erosion of a middle class in our country, the question of poverty is becoming a pressing issue for a rapidly growing number among the American public. It shouldn't have taken this long for people to begin to think about this issue; not given that we self-identify, in very many circles, as a Christian nation.

I hope people pay attention to this statment of the many churches that signed on to it, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and take up this call to end poverty as a serious issue for consideration in the 2008 elections.

Comments

Thu, 02/22/2007 - 20:11 — Bible Buck

Eliminate Poverty

Money is a blessing when accompanied with prudence and generosity. Corporate and political greed is the ruination of America. '1 Tim.6:10'--The love of money is the root of all evils. 'Proverbs 14:31' He who oppresses the poor insults his Maker. Let America remember the Golden Rule of Christ which constitutes love of neighbor. Look at 'Matt. 7:12'--'Luke 6:31'--And just what you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 'Galatians 6:2' Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 'Romans 13:8' Owe no one anything except to love one another, for love of neighbor fulfills the law of God. 'Galatians 5:14' The law is fulfilled in a single command, love your neighbor as yourself. Through faith and actions that correlate with the Word of God be a guardian of your own soul, seeing the face of Christ in all individuals. Let love and faithfulness never leave you and bind them around your neck, and write them on the tablet of your heart. May the Lord direct the hearts of Americans into God's love, and Christ' perserverance. Remember Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Remember Christ is all, and in all. Let the Lord instruct and counsel everyone of us in the path of his righteousness. Be merciful. remember 'James 2: 13' Mercy triumps over judgment. Keep the faith, but on the mind of Christ and poverty will be eliminated. Live by Biblical Principles, Christian Virtues. Let the gospel of Christ be our ethical principles. He who trusts in the Lord will prosper. Let America make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Thu, 02/22/2007 - 21:54 — William Burnett

II Corinthians 8:9-15

Since we're tossing out bible verses, I would like to toss out II Corinthians 8:9-15

9 For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10 and I am giving counsel in this matter, for it is appropriate for you who began not only to act but to act willingly last year: 11 complete it now, so that your eager willingness may be matched by your completion of it out of what you have. 12 For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have; 13 not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality 14 your surplus at the present time should supply their needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality. 15 As it is written: "Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less."