Whose Problem is Poverty?

"In the United States, the wealthiest country in the world, 36 million Americans live in poverty - earning less than $20,650 for a family of four in 2007. Another one in six Americans struggle to make ends meet on incomes between 100% and 200% of poverty ( $20,650 to about $40,000 for a family of four). More than 12 million American children grow up in impoverished homes. When compared with 20 other wealthy nation on measures of health, safety and relative poverty, America's children fare amongst the worst." - Spot Light on Poverty


Poverty continues to be a political issue in election years, but hasn't been widely embraced by society as a problem to be solved with much urgency. It is a matter of prayer to some, but is far from a matter of priority for the church.


The widening of the income gap in the U.S. will continue to drive families into poverty as energy, healthcare and housing costs reach all time highs over the next 10 years. With little in the way of safety net provisions to rely upon, these families will turn to the local church. The appointment of leadership and the funding of an organized relief strategy at the local church level will be crucial to bringing about real relief to this marginalized social issue.



Courtesy of Trend Ping