Do you think we will always have poor people?

[JBR]

Not given the current way overpopulated world controlled by myriad different political entities, each with different religions, philosophies, technology, resources, goals, that selfish wealthy persons with dog eat dog attitudes dominate.

I think that's the big picture.

For a lot of years, I held the hope that, at least in Canada, and possibly the U.S., we would eradicate poverty or at least reduce it to a tiny minimum. Having lived for three years or so in Vancouver, worked stints in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and so forth... and visited NYC... I encountered too many young people who just chose the wrong path. Meaning, they presented the definite impression that they'd freely chosen not to develop a career path, not to learn a legal skill, and simply to pursue fun, short-term excitement and highs. Often there didn't seem to be much interest making some decision about how to live healthy.

Well, it doesn't work out in the long term, and tends frequently to lead to homelessness and dependence on hard drugs. By no means does this account for all people in poverty. But it's a situation that seems to have grown a lot in the last half century.

There's the idea of socially-provided adequate housing. Even in some of Canada's smaller communities, there are some residents of tent camps who can't come to accept the necessity of commitments or rules, which amounts to a rejection of help. I think living together with other people at a scale that a society might attempt to provide, as a possibility more adequate than a tent camp, requires there be guidelines and commitments. So how can help be managed?

It's not that I like feeling this way. I don't. But it's just a feeling I can't shake. I'll be happy to consider the views of others... a brighter prospect on this situation.

 

[jimintoronto]

Well, as a Christian I am under obligation to believe in the promise that that such a time will arrive albeit not via human efforts, but via the blessing of the creator.

Did Jesus Mean that Poverty on Earth is Eternal? | Varietygalore​

Should I point out that in terms of the world's population, you are a small minority within it.

 

[That Lady in PA]

Matthew 26:11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.

 

[Llynn]

Yes. Always.

 

[caramel]

"Poor" is a relative term. It means someone has less than someone else. Some people having more and some people having less is not going away simply because, even if there was a way to equal out the monetary things, people are born with different attributes and some will be more valued over others.

I think it may be possible to eradicate starvation though. That's not a relative term. People dying because they don't have enough resources to have enough to eat is quantifiable and there may be a way to end that.

 

[Radrook]

Is poverty inevitable? No.
Does poverty exists because the world does not have enough resources and money to distribute? No.
Poverty exists because of greed. The fat cats refuse to use and distribute the earth’s resources and potential income in a remotely just way.
Politicians lack the political will, not the economic means, to end the most ugly and basic poverty once and for all, and the poor lack political backing.
Governments and corporations lack enough courageous people demanding economic reform, such as decent wealth and income taxes on wealthy businesses and individuals.
Poverty lacks conscious world citizens calling an end to the waste of resources on less urgent goals.
There are many ways in which the world could eradicate the worsts forms of poverty and their consequences such as hunger, preventable diseases, and economic suppression.

Ending poverty is not as simple as providing everyone with a job, as many employed people still find themselves locked in very low paying jobs or even economic slavery.
To end poverty there needs to be a change to the world’s income distribution. Governments should consistently apply policies to combat poverty and its causes. A vast increase in investment from domestic and foreign sources is needed. This is not just a matter of donations from the world’s richest countries and people. Economic growth that improves the income generating opportunities of the poor is crucial. That means education, health care, jobs that yield a liveable income, and foremost: good governance which attacks corruption and misuse of resources.

Capitalism based on the exploitation

Should I point out that in terms of the world's population, you are a small minority within it.

Who is "you" and how is that in any way relevant?

 

[jujube]

I've been to India. The slums are beyond description. There is very little hope for the majority of people in the slums.....to "pull yourself up by the bootstraps", you must *own* bootstraps.

 

[Beezer]

There will always be poor people in society. Some through no fault of their own...others having no one to blame but themselves.

 

[Radrook]

Matthew 26:11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.

Did Jesus Mean that Poverty on Earth is Eternal?
​

The subject of poverty has come up at the Senior Forum and it seems to be based on Jesus's following words.

Matthew 26:11 ►
'The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.

Now, did Jesus actually mean that poverty and the poor would forever be present on Earth? Or that the conditions on Earth would remain forever under the power of Satan who helped to create them?

2 Corinthians 4:4
in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

1 John 5:19 ►
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Well, let's examine what Jesus believed and said concerning this Earth.

Matthew 28:20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen

Notice that Jesus spoke about an END to this present world. Now what exactly did Jesus mean by that? Well, Jesus meant what both the prophet Isaiah and the prophet Daniel had foretold about this world would come true, that its present conditions would would be replaced. In short, and very obviously, Jesus was referring to the following prophecies:

Isaiah 65:17
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind

Daniel 2:44 ►“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.

Now, after Jesus' death and resurrection, he inspired the Apostle Peter to write about that new world in the following way.

2 Peter 3:12-13
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Now righteousness does not involve the existence of suffering due to poverty!

Furthermore, Jesus himself describes the conditions on Earth after this present defective world is replaced, and it definitely does not include poverty along with the suffering that poverty inevitably inflicts. He revealed this to the Apostle john in a vision in the following way:

Revelation 1

1This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, 2who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Rev 21:4
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. 4‘ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5.And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.”…

So no, Jesus was definitely not saying that poverty and the poor would forever be present on Earth. He was merely saying that as long as this earth remained as it is, under imperfect human and satanic influence, poverty and the poor would remain one of its flawed social features.

 

[Murrmurr]

Do you think that some day ( maybe way in the future), we will get it right and we won't have any poor people?

Is poverty inevitable? No.
Does poverty exists because the world does not have enough resources and money to distribute? No.
Poverty exists because of greed. The fat cats refuse to use and distribute the earth’s resources and potential income in a remotely just way.

Poverty exists when there's a shortage of marketable skills and an absence of personal responsibility and civic duty. Along with fundamental academics, if every kid's education included lessons in personal responsibility and civic duty, and training in skills they demonstrate an interest in or an aptitude for, whether it's plumbing, practicing law, or performing surgery, I think the causes of poverty would primarily be limited to wars, and natural disasters.

 

[David777]

As I posted above, eliminating poverty is impossible given the current world political and economic system and extreme overpopulation. Especially within current lifetimes.

My expectation is the current world will destroy itself though hopefully not within my own limited remaining lifetime. World wide nuclear war is the biggest threat. If not that, a rogue lab using CRISPR genetics will eventually create a military grade virus that will quietly spread worldwide, then quickly kill most people. Will be far worse than COVID-19.

That will cause civilization and governments to collapse as well as food production leaving a lawless dystopian world for some decades. From those ashes, a wiser more global government and non wealth driven society may evolve that keeps runaway overpopulation from reoccurring.

Given science and technology with far fewer humans there would be enough resources and food for all. Over a few hundred years, the natural world would recover from our excesses. Humans would live in a veritable paradise. With biological and medical AI, we would extend lifetimes, become much better and interested stewards of our incredible natural world and its life. And
begin exploring the universe.

 

[Aunt Bea]

Years ago, I read a theory on the redistribution of wealth.

The belief was that if everyone was given the exact same equal share of wealth that within a generation or two we would return to a world similar to what we have today, I tend to believe that idea.

There is much more to poverty than a simple lack of money.

 

[Pepper]

There will be poor always; pathetically struggling; look at the good things you got
Think while you still have me; move while you still see me
You'll be lost and you'll be sorry when I'm gone!
-Jesus Christ Superstar-

Matthew 26:11
King James Bible
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

 

[Rakaia]

So long as a change in human nature is not imminent little will change.
The powerful will continue to exploit the disempowered.
*Sigh*

 

[Della]

Should I point out that in terms of the world's population, you are a small minority within it.

Why? What's your point? Do you believe that people here shouldn't be allowed to express their opinion unless the majority of the world's population agrees with them? Aren't you taking a desire to conform to a new level?

Years ago, I read a theory on the redistribution of wealth.

The belief was that if everyone was given the exact same equal share of wealth that within a generation or two we would return to a world similar to what we have today, I tend to believe that idea.

There is much more to poverty than a simple lack of money.

I read that, too. That's probably why we shouldn't try to redistribute wealth, but to provide necessities through taxes. I'm always in favor of raising taxes, some very successful populations pay as much as 50% in tax, but everyone has housing, medical care, education and food.

Let the strivers amass enough wealth for mansions and yachts, but also see to it that everyone, even the disabled and drug addicted have food and shelter.

We should provide the minimum, even for the marshmallow eaters:

 

[timoc]

The problem will only be solved when one greedy so and so owns everything, then the people will rise up and likely chop off his/her head and share out everything, only for some other greedy so and so to then amass everything, and the people will chop off his/her head.... perhaps there will be a permanent job for a guillotine operator.

 

[Della]

There will be poor always; pathetically struggling; look at the good things you got
Think while you still have me; move while you still see me
You'll be lost and you'll be sorry when I'm gone!
-Jesus Christ Superstar-

Matthew 26:11
King James Bible
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

{I really hate Jesus Christ Superstar LOL}

The Matthew quote is Jesus replying to Judas who was criticizing a woman who had brought scented oil to pour on Jesus. Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him and that he was going to die in a few days, so Jesus needed to make last minute instruction to his followers. One of which was to feed the poor. He also probably thought the woman's choice was none of Judas's business.

 

[Aunt Bea]

Why? What's your point? Do you believe that people here shouldn't be allowed to express their opinion unless the majority of the world's population agrees with them? Aren't you taking a desire to conform to a new level?


I read that, too. That's probably why we shouldn't try to redistribute wealth, but to provide necessities through taxes. I'm always in favor of raising taxes, some very successful populations pay as much as 50% in tax, but everyone has housing, medical care, education and food.

Let the strivers amass enough wealth for mansions and yachts, but also see to it that everyone, even the disabled and drug addicted have food and shelter.

We should provide the minimum, even for the marshmallow eaters:

I tend to agree but even if we commit to providing a basic stipend that covers what society or the government considers basic needs we will still be stepping over a few marshmallow eaters.

Nothing will change for any of us until we are ready to address the underlying issues that contribute to our own poverty, homelessness, etc…but that doesn’t mean we should stop trying.

 

[Paco Dennis]

This has been my guide to what humans need and how much...Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

If you can't fulfill the stronger need it becomes very difficult to fulfill the next one. I wish we had a society that supported this pyramid of needs.

 

[JustDave]

Do you think that some day ( maybe way in the future), we will get it right and we won't have any poor people?

I think it will be worse in the future as resources and space become stretched to the breaking point.

 

[Tom52]

No, I do not think poverty will ever be eliminated. My fear is that over population of the planet will only increase the percentage of people in distress probably to the point that society as we know it will no longer exist.

 

[911]

Absolutely.

 

[C50]

Define poor people.

That was my first thought as well. I believe regardless of how advanced society becomes there will ALWAYS be people who live on the fringe. Even if every person was guaranteed free money some would outright refuse it and others would spend it poorly, that's just how people are.

 

[Meanderer]

In Matthew 26:11, Jesus said: "The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me."

 

[Timewise 60+]

I have always disliked people telling me the meaning of God's words written in the Bible. Pope's, local Priest's, and layman all cannot, in my mind, tell me what the Lord meant when he spoke. That meaning is in each man's heart when he reads Gods words...