Time to Stop Investing in Poverty

I have long held the belief that the religious Prosperity teaching began the collapse of the American economy, and I still do, but I now have some insight as to why the economy is not recovering.  To claim the love of money was a blessing rather than the root of all evil began the economic collapse, but we've overlooked the Biblical truth of reaping and sowing when it comes to finances.

How much of our earned income goes to keeping someone living beyond their means?  In modern vernacular, that amounts to throwing good money after bad.  It defies the laws of reaping and sowing.  Helping someone in time of need is absolutely Scriptural, but we have a society of needy than choose to remain needy, and that's against Scripture.  A man or woman can get laid off or injured and need temporary assistance.  Things happen, but when an adult perpetually does not provide for their family, either by not working or by unwise spending, and continual provision is "needed" for that family, not only is that family investing in remaining impoverished, but those providing are sowing into that lifestyle, as well.

Surely by now, most folks sending money to Prosperity preachers realize they are never going to reap the financial harvest, these preachers are enjoying.  I guess, some still haven't caught on, or the next generation of "young up and comers" have changed their schtick slightly, but there is still a reality.  Assisting someone to live above their means will not raise the standard of living for all involved.  It will actually lower it for those who are in error and those who appear to be reaping a harvest may discover the cost has been their soul.  These ministers do not need multi-million dollar mansions and private jets.  Y'hshuwah said he had no place to lay his head and he pretty much walked everywhere he went, although there was the occasional boat or donkey.

Another way our society invests in poverty is politically, through state assistance.  Helping someone temporarily is absolutely the right thing to do.  Keeping someone dependent is wrong, and subsidising someone to live without working to earn is rebellion against Scripture.  Adult human beings are supposed to work, adult human beings that make little human beings are not only expected to work, but also expected to provide for the little human beings they made.  Since marriage has become rather passe, our society has taught men that providing for their children is optional especially if they cohabitate with baby mama and keep everything out of court.  On the other hand, many women have determined that a child brings them an income and even education opportunities with childcare provided.  We can look back over fifty years and see what this type of thinking has produced generationally.  Like it or not, this type of poverty is purely political.  Dependency and slavery go hand in hand.

We also have a number of people investing in the poverty of the next generation.  I've seen it happen for far too long now, grandmas that take up the cause that their grandchildren shouldn't suffer or do without because the parents are being unwise.  Sad as it is, that children pay for the foolishness of adults, it is a fact of life.  Helping adult children in an emergency, is of course, what a parent should do, enabling is another matter, altogether.  We don't even realize how many non-necessities our society now considers to be necessary.  

So much of our society runs on debt that we no longer live even paycheck to paycheck.  Many in our culture are living one paycheck behind, because next week's check is already spent before it's earned . . . People actually manage or mismanage their money, knowing they have other sources to turn to.  Let's consider the high dollar prosperity teachers and the wealthy politicians, and corporate fatcats.  They do not invest in poverty!  They invest our donations, taxes, and purchases into something that will yield a financial harvest.  I'm not suggesting that is Biblically correct, either, just drawing the parallel of money management.  Now, on to Scriptural investing.

We are commanded to help widows and orphans.  YHWH blesses obedience.  Prosperity teachers, most welfare moms, and campaigning politicians do not go in the category of widows or orphans.  We are to visit those in prison.  A number of prosperity teachers and politicians probably could qualify for that according to Scripture.  The best way to help those who are not self-sufficient is to share and teach better money management.  Debt is not the answer and continuing to subsidise poor choices is investing in poverty.    

We've Been Sold Out

It's no secret that America is in deep debt.  The means of figuring the budget vs. collecting the revenue, while estimating increases and decreases is mind boggling at best, and completely convoluted using more than one system of accounting.

I've included a link to an interesting site.  I don't necessarily agree with the figures proposed, but then again, with two different methods of accounting, I certainly can't prove any disagreement, either.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.justfactsdaily.com/treasury-report-federal-fiscal-shortfall-is-603000-per-household/
We can be sure that the can has been kicked down the road so far into future generations, the debt problem will never be fixed by current methods.  When "the note" is called in, Americans will have no alternative but to change, completely change, our lifestyle.

According to my research and understanding, every American citizen is collateral toward the debt.  Marriage licenses are a contract with the state.  A birth certificate declares the increase of collateral, therefore greater borrowing power, and a social security number declares a labor force.  Social security numbers have gone from "not intended for identification" issued at the age to get a driver's license or gainful employment to the application completed with a newborn's birth certificate and required to be claimed as a deduction on the parent's tax form.  This has happened in less than 50 years, and we've only had a social security system for 80 years.

The ownership of Americans is obviously not a new concept, but forcing younger generations into indebtedness without their knowledge or consent is reprehensible.  Someone has to stop the madness.  We can't erase the debt that has been accrued, but we can certainly determine to stop creating further debt.  How can Americans willingly and knowingly surrender our grandchildren into indentured servitude for our own comfort or convenience?  Blaming the government for "selling us out" may work to salve the conscience of those who would cash the checks, but the fact of the matter is, the establishment generations are selling out the younger ones.  That makes absolutely no sense in a society that bases their primary religious beliefs on the writings of the Apostle Paul, who stated . . . I will not be burdensome to you . . . for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.  II Corinthians 12:14b

Investing in Temporal

This past week as I munched unleavened bread, I took inventory of the place.  The two prior weeks, I took inventory of dust bunnies and leaven.  Now, in the clean brightness, I considered what I've invested in temporal things.  By temporal, I mean shelter, furniture, vehicles, even the wind turbine and solar panels.  One of my daughters got me thinking about the way I spend my money vs. the way she spends hers.  She's been quick to point out that I spend more than she would on domains and webhosting and I need to shop around more.  She's also expressed that a thousand dollars worth of batteries to go with the wind and solar power supply seems excessive.  By that same token, she doesn't think I purchase quality, when it comes to furniture and dishes.  She does think I get great deals on vehicles though!

Now, when I consider the way others spend money, I quickly realize, I probably seem cheap.  When I consider the way that same daughter spends her money, I realize she simply did not receive her set of values from me.  As I aim for sustainable living, there are investments.  I would love to have only a bill for my internet provider, while the internet is still an option and a monthly trip to town for dog food, coffee, and toilet paper.  That's my goal, if Messiah tarries.  I may have to get one more pair of sandals, but it's recorded that the children of Israel's shoes held up for the entire journey through the wilderness, so maybe the ones I have will last another forty years.  I cleaned my closet out this past spring, as well.  I simply do not need a closet full of clothes.  I've splurged in the past few years by making some special skirts for the Feasts.

In recent years, I've truly made purchases with the thought in mind, that I may never need to make this purchase again, or may not have the opportunity to do so.  Many of us are considering the idea that we may be helping others through turbulent times.  I want to be able to offer warmth and sustenance.  According to Scripture some folks are going to be heading to the hills with just the shirts on their backs.  I want to be able to help them . . . I'm not hoarding, at least I don't think I am, but all of the purchases I make, great consideration is given to preparation for the times ahead.

I do know, if I live out my days before Messiah returns, this place and the investments I've made will benefit the next occupant . . .

Can't Afford a Stay at Home Mom

Kudos to this couple.  The author really puts values and costs in perspective.

http://www.weareglory.com/blog/fathers-you-cant-afford-a-stay-at-home-mom