View source for Helping the Poor Chapter

{{answer infobox |Helping others where they lack physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually is a calling for all believers. To help them grow in the Kingdom by sharing the spiritual and helping them cleanse and repent so that they have peace and hope is greater still.}}

Have you, at any time in your life, had to watch as the food in your cupboards dwindled without any way of replacing the food that had been there? Have you felt the quiet desperation that is faced when you start wondering when or what your next meal will be? Have you ever had to face your family and say that you have nothing to serve them at mealtime?

For most of us, this has not been something we have had to experience. Yet it happens every day in throughout the world and increasingly often here in the United States. There can be many reasons for this situation happening, Sometimes it is a direct result of one's own actions, but most of the time it is not. When this situation occurs, whatever the reason, it is a tragedy.

== Defining Poverty ==
'''''* What Is Poverty? '''''

== Who Are the Impoverished ==
The impoverished are people ... people trying to live life just as you do. It can be individuals. In can be certain classes or segments of society. It can be entire nations that are suffering. Yet it still comes down to people who lack and are suffering.
'''''* Poverty Statistics in the United States '''''

'''''* Poverty Statistics in the World '''''

'''''* Working with Foreign Volunteers '''''

'''''* Behind the Scenes on a Cruise Ship '''''

== Poverty in Scripture ==
The Almighty loves and cares for all people and wants them to be taken care of, especially among those who follow Him. Food is a basic necessity to life and a very important topic with the Almighty ... Scripture proves it with the volume of laws that come in regards to food and feeding people.
'''''* The Poor, the Widow, and the Fatherless '''''

== Recognizing the Poor ==
'''''* A City in the Early Morning Hours '''''

== Treating the Poor as People ==
'''''* The Inhumanness of the Blank Stare '''''

== Societal Conditions that Cause Poverty ==
'''''* Relying on the Government '''''

'''''* Turning Poverty into an Industry '''''

'''''* Lack of Proper Education '''''

== Helping the Poor ==
The Almighty has love and compassion for His people ... compassion that does not just care for the people but feels pain for them and seeks what will heal them. Do we feel this compassion? Do we act on such compassion? We cannot be armchair quarterbacks on this topic ... there are people in need around us and we should be caring for them. This is one of the great ways of sharing the love of the One Most High with others.
'''''* Helping in Simple Ways '''''

== Healing the Poor ==
Much of the time, poverty is just a symptom. It is a visible element of a much deeper problem eitherphysically, mentally, etmotionally, or spiritually. When those issues are dealt with and healed, the poverty goes awayby itself or much more easily.
'''''* '''''

== Is Helping the Poor Dangerous? ==
Generally, no. Helping the poor is not a dangerous thing. If you are friendly with them, they will respond kindly. But, like every city having a bad neighborhood you should avoid, there can be occasional characters you recognize as risky or dangerous. Just use some common sense, be situationally aware, and of course pray.
'''''* A Tourist Getting in Trouble '''''

== Real Life Poverty Examples ==
Through the years, I have had a number of encounters with those who needed help or who were homeless. Each one has a story. Here are a few examples of what it actually is like to have problems causing poverty ... and being in a position to help them.
'''''* A Depressed Father '''''

'''''* Getting a Homeless Woman Off the Streets '''''

'''''* The Not a Genuine Sexual Predator '''''

== How Can I Help? ==
As believers we are called to help people. We cannot allow ourselves to be calloused over and simply ignore the situation. We need to see those in troubled times and actually do something to help and not just merely think of the situation. We must act!

Have you ever ventured into one of the area's soup kitchens who serve meals to hundreds of people once a week? Have you met the volunteers who help or the people who receive the food? Have you done anything to help?

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