"Violence is an easy option when the future is hard to believe in"
What do you think of this statement from a spiritual standpoint?
Wondering
what you think and how we can help children in poverty right here in
AL.
Would you pray this week for Montgomery churches and organizations
to help children be able to eat this week. What is your part in the
solution?
Matthew 25:34-40 “Then the King will say to those
on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the
Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was
hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a
stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave
me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you
visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when
did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you
something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked
and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and
visit you?’
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth,
when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,you
were doing it to me!’
In Montgomery alone, 17-19% of our population lives under the poverty
level guidelines for the United States. That is about 43,000 people in
Montgomery who make below $23,550 per year for a family of 4. A lot of
people can't read well enough to fill out an application or read a
textbook for further training. 14% of Montgomery ADULTS can't read well
enough to maintain a job. (that was a 2003 stat by the way, it has
probably increased) (Ref: Alabama Literacy Council and US Govt Stats on Poverty Rate
If you
think that this is ALL caused by bad money management or laziness, I
would challenge you to get to know a family or two in poverty...really
get to know them. One of the things you will find out is this: MOST
people in poverty don't have the education needed to qualify for a job
that will pay enough to take care of their family.People become hopeless
when they have to wade through the mountains of red tape they have to
deal with every day to get assistance or a job.
Why don't they
have the education?...There are many factors including learning
disabilities and/or were passed through grades getting farther and
farther behind. There are numerous reasons but we have a solution, don't
we?
How can we as Christians help?
1. Pray. Pray for
those in poverty to be connected to others who could help them.Pray that
they are willing to learn some new skills and be encouraged by those
who help them!
2. Ask the Lord if you or your church should get
trained in ADULT LITERACY as well as CHILDREN'S TUTORING and begin to
help those in need.
3. Join up with a church, ministry or organization who tutors kids so that their futures can be different.
JESUS was a practical guy who met practical needs as he ministered along the way. Then shouldn't we do the same if we are "followers" of Jesus?
Need some help with idea? Contact Lisa Rose at Montgomery Baptist Association for resources and trainings. 334-271-6794.
