So, the question comes back to what do we do with those that are in poverty? How do we best serve them and still serve our community? How do we offer a community that is clean and safe, and still give opportunity for men and women to flourish. Some have argued that the responsibility for all of this is on society. Going back to our picture of locking Jewish men and women back into the concentration camp. What happened to these men and women was in no way their fault? They were born Jewish (or a few other races and personalities deemed inferior by the Nazis). Society caused the problems that these men and women faced.
In looking at those that are homeless we can look at much in our society that likely contributed to their predicament. We can look to the arts that glorify sex and violence. This includes things like movies, video games and even theater. Families are dismissed, made fun of and seen as something that is holding back the brave and bold. These different media show people living life on their own terms with no real consequences. People give into their addictions and have little trouble and never end up on the streets eating from a garbage can. In this same vein the arts can come together and tell the true story. The real story is that we need each other. When we live selfishly for ourselves, we might end up alone. When we give into our baser portions of our nature there are consequences. If I lie to my family, attack them, or steal from them I will end up alone. That is a simple fact.
We can look at businesses that market specifically to the poor. Fast food leads to health issues which will impact the ability of the poor to earn a living. Regarding wages, not everyone deserves a living wage. That is a falsehood. Entry level jobs are meant as a training ground. Those that work effectively even in fast food can become managers. Those that make an extra effort can be promoted. As I taught my children, every job has a checklist. That may be an official checklist, or it might simply be in the mind of the supervisor. Regardless there is a checklist. If you don’t do the checklist, you get fired. If you do the checklist, you keep your job. If you do the checklist plus look carefully at what else needs to be done, you get promoted. Employers can help out the poor by taking on the role of trainer, not just of the company policies but on how to be a good worker. Basketball legendary coach, John Wooden, taught his players more than simply how to play the game. He taught them how to live life with character and virtue. All businesses can do this.
The church has lost much credibility over the past several decades. However, they are the conscious of society. Many churches have turned to motivational seminars that want you to leave feeling good. They want you to keep coming to their church and also telling others so that the church brand can expand. Far too many churches are looking at their little kingdoms as the end all and be all. If the church is to be effective, they need to get to know their neighborhoods and pastor those men and women that live within a solid radius of their church. Get to know the people. What are their hurts, habits and hangups? What are their dreams and passions? This is not some sort of marketing strategy. This is getting to know these men and women with a mind of serving them the way Jesus would serve them.
