Editorial August 14, 1937 Issue

Healing Chronic Poverty

George Shaw Cook

It is evident from the context that when Jesus said to his disciples, "The poor always ye have with you," he was referring to the so-called poverty-stricken class. However, the fact that such a class exists in society is due to poverty of thought, to the "poor" thinking that seems to persist in human experience to so great an extent.

"The poor always ye have with you" appears to apply to conditions that exist today, just as in the time of Jesus. Now, as then, there is need to consider ways and means by which to provide for the poor, the underprivileged, and the unfortunate. That is why eleemosynary institutions seem necessary. That is why laws are passed which are designed to ameliorate conditions due to unemployment. That is why churches maintain institutions for the temporary or permanent care of those who find themselves in need. And all this is commendable, and is Christian. It accords with the saying of the Apostle James, "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?"

However, the state or condition known as poverty or lack will not be eliminated permanently—as it must and will be sometime—except through first seeing it for what it is, and then going about its cure in a Christianly scientific manner.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Item of Interest