Poverty

I first I didn't know that we were poor. As a little kid I didn't know that my clothes came from Goodwill and the Mission. I didn't know that people from that big church in town brought us presents for Christmas. For a long time, I didn't know that our electricity was cut off because my parents couldn't pay the bill. They use to tell us we were camping out. As little kids, my brothers and sisters and I would play checkers by the candlelight and eat beanie weenies. It was a lot of fun!

Then I grew up. My name is Melinda, and I'm 14 years old now and I know we're poor. My daddy left us when I was 5. After the factory shut down, he wasn't able to find another job. So he just left. My mother tried to do her best to provide for the five of us. She would clean houses and cook at the grill down the street, but she didn't make much money, not enough to feed us all and pay for clothes. I've never had a CD player. My clothes are always somebody else's first. My food usually comes from the mission or somebody wanting to be nice.

The kids at school treat me different because I'm poor. I don't have many friends, and the ones I do have are poor just like me. I sometimes think that the kids at school are afraid of me because I'm poor. Do they think I'm going to rob them for their pocket change? Poor kids are just kids. We have dreams just like any other kids. Being poor is no fun. Just once, I would like to have a brand new pair of jeans that wasn't worn by somebody else first.

Reflecting through a Child's Eyes:

• Picture Melinda in your mind. What does she look like? Does she appear sad, angry, disappointed? What thoughts do you suppose go through Melinda's head at night as she lays awake in her crowded bed. What do you suppose are some of her "dreams?"
• Do you know any poor children in your neighborhood, school, family, or even your past? How are/were they treated? Who are/were their friends?
• Talk about some ways that you can reach out with God's love to other children like Melinda and her siblings. Spend a few moments in prayer for Melinda and children around the world like her.

Reflecting through God's Word:

• Read the story of the Rich Young Ruler found in Luke 18:18-25. What do you think the young man thought when Jesus asked him to sell everything he owned and give it to the poor. Sum up what you think he might have said in 5 words or less.
• What are your thoughts when you hear Jesus say that it will be difficult for wealthy people to enter heaven. What do you suppose he meant by those words?
• What did the rich man stand to gain by selling his possessions?
• Have you ever tried to give something away that was very important or special to you? Share your experience with a neighbor. If Jesus asked you to sell everything and give it to the poor, what would you do?

Prayer:
Loving God, you have provided your children with just enough to live and enjoy your wonderful creation. Unfortunately, some of us have taken more than our fair share of your bounty. Forgive our greed and help us to open up our clenched hands and share with those who do not have enough to survive the night. Help us really "see" the poor among among us. May their eyes haunt us until we have done all that we can to fill their physical needs. We pray for the time in your creation when all will be filled and there is no longer any need for welfare, food stamps, soup kitchens or homeless shelters. Help us to do what we can to make that vision a reality now....so that your kingdom may come "on earth as it is in heaven." Amen.

Resources
Printable Version — pdf / Word
Graphics
World Bank — www.worldbank.org/poverty/
National Center for Children in Poverty — http://www.nccp.org/
Heritage—http://www.heritage.org/research/welfare/bg1713.cfm
The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time — Jeffrey Sachs
A Framework for Understanding Poverty — Ruby K. Payne