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The way out of poverty: it's under God's control
Originally appeared on spirituality.com
Australia has been fortunate in never experiencing war on its soil. It also has a democratic, multi-cultural society with a stable economy on a continent rich in abundant natural resources. But despite this, there are many citizens who don’t share in this country’s good.
Poverty among aboriginal people ranks alongside the extreme poverty of Bangladesh. An estimated 2.5 million Australians—approximately 12 percent of the population, including 500,000 children—live below the poverty line. And single-parent households, often with a woman at their head, lack access to adequate housing, food, income, jobs, health services, education, childcare, and transport.
Reasons for such poverty include the rapid shrinking of Australia’s middle class, underemployment, changes in the workforce, and the high cost of housing. As a result, many people find themselves in dire straits when unforeseen challenges come along. Reduced working hours, job layoffs, illness, or family breakdown can strip away assets and opportunity, leaving people impoverished through no fault of their own.
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