Extreme poverty needs to be eradicated from the face of the planet!

[Abu]

In His constant praising of human work, Jesus gives examples of merchants in parables:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up, then in his joy he goes out and sells all that he has and buys the field.”

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
[Matt 13:44-46, where the actions of merchants are valued and appreciated].

The message of the parable “hinges on two things. The goodness of the work of merchants in and of itself is the first of these. Christ affirms the work of merchants. Why would He have used the example if He did not? Second, the parable depends on the recognition of this goodness by those who hear the parable. His audience must have had some knowledge of what constitutes the work of a merchant and have had an experience of the goodness of this work. Without these two realities the truth of the parable remains ineffectual.”
Entrepreneurship in the Catholic Tradition, Fr Anthony G Percy, Connor Court Publishing, 2011, p 45-6].

 

[Robert_Sock]

It really is quite pathetic how narrow-minded some are, choosing to ignore this teaching of Christ on work, the specific words of Christ that find a particularly lively echo in the teaching of the Apostle Paul. The imposters feel that they are better than the great St Paul who emphasises:
Noting that some "are living in idleness … not doing any work"75, the Apostle does not hesitate to say in the same context: **“If any one will not work, let him not eat”**76.
Notes:
75. 2 Thess 3:11.
76. 2 Thess 3:10.

Christ’s mandate to “love” does not mean mollycoddling those who refuse to act like human beings, instead behaving more like animals, as the great St Paul understands clearly.

Caricaturing Christ, St Paul and the Church to suit some nefarious end helps no one.

Why the insults? And why are you sidetracking on the rest of my questions on Christ’s second commandment? It sounds like you’re making things up as you go along to support your own agenda.

LOVE, caring, compassion, charity, empathy, sensitivity, perspective taking, virtues, kindness, gentleness, tenderness, tender-heartedness, heart, fellow-feeling, mercy, pity, leniency, sympathy, commiseration, condolence, sorrow, benevolence, consideration, concern, etc, etc. What are these words doing in our language? These are the true teachings of Christ, and must be taken to heart by every Christian!

 

[Robert_Sock]

In His constant praising of human work, Jesus gives examples of merchants in parables:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up, then in his joy he goes out and sells all that he has and buys the field.”

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
[Matt 13:44-46, where the actions of merchants are valued and appreciated].

The message of the parable “hinges on two things. The goodness of the work of merchants in and of itself is the first of these. Christ affirms the work of merchants. Why would He have used the example if He did not? Second, the parable depends on the recognition of this goodness by those who hear the parable. His audience must have had some knowledge of what constitutes the work of a merchant and have had an experience of the goodness of this work. Without these two realities the truth of the parable remains ineffectual.”
Entrepreneurship in the Catholic Tradition, Fr Anthony G Percy, Connor Court Publishing, 2011, p 45-6].

Relate this stuff to my original post. I’m not condemning entrepreneurship in any way.

The parable you are referring to has to do with the Kingship of God, and the rest is simply analogy. Christ is not advocating entrepreneurship in any way in the parable.

 

[Robert_Sock]

“Feed my sheep.”

 

[petra22]

Robert,
Your ideas seem to fall in the realm of liberalism–the idea that man can perfect this world and the people in it through human effort alone without reference to God. Liberals hate to see suffering of any kind because it reminds them of human limits which can be helped only by God. I’m not saying you mean to do this; I’m just pointing out a problem with your thinking that I see

What would be much better would be if all the world became Catholic! God set up a perfect system for us already If everyone were Catholic, those in need would be cared for without the need for government intervention. Instead voluntary institutions would be set up, neighbors would help their neighbors, goods would flow from one to another in the most appropriate ways!

So I think the best way to accomplish what you suggest is for each Catholic to pray a lot, including for conversions and for the good of the world, and for each Catholic to do their best in the area of evangelization, while relying on prayer.

I think this would work more quickly, and set up a better system in the end.

It is true that we see the majority of the world is not Catholic, but consider this: Catholics are about 1 in 6 people. Think about that! If each Catholic prayed, fasted, and sacrificed for the conversion of a mere 5 people, the whole world would be converted!

I want to join this THIS prayer group!!!

 

[Jozefo]

What would it take for EVERYBODY to live comfortably?

To reach one’s fullest potential, one needs readily available upper education (free on-line classes comes to mind, especially in self-help). To live comfortably, people need easy to get, decent paying jobs. The minimum wage would need to be placed at a comfortable rate, like it is in Australia. The value system of people would certainly need to change. But I think all this is realistic with government intervention and the help of the media. Imagine the potential with everybody receiving education and being put to work! People in the lower class can live fruitful, meaningful and comfortable lives!

People refusing to work would be guaranteed a roof over their heads, free food and a computer for self-help classes, but would be denied ‘luxuries.’ People with mental disabilities would receive free treatment and be encouraged to work as best as they can. Self-help consulars would abound, and would be paid using government subsidies.

I think there’s a very simple solution available, but one nearly impossible to apply. The idea of mutual credit trade exchanges works, but the power structures of the world are hooked on usury. Yet there are hundreds of examples working at the present time throughout the world, some very successful.

 

[Deus_tecum]

Giving to the poor via tax is theft…mmmm…? Lets see, what did our Lord say about taxes…‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ Seems that Christ thinks you should pay em and shut up about it!

What then did he say about giving to the poor?

The Sheep and the Goats

"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’
"Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’
"The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Then he will say also to those on the left hand, **‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ **
"Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’
“Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’ **These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” **
Matthew 25:31-46
As you can see Deus tecum, refusing the poor is refusing Christ. Are you a Sheep or a Goat?

Way to put words in my mouth. I never said the poor should not be helped. If I am called to charity and give something from my home to the poor, that is fine, but do I have the right to barge into your home, decide for you what you shall give, and simply take it from you and give it to the poor? Of course not. That decision should come from your own heart. Yes, excessive taxation is just like theft. Please employ search terms “American Revolution”.

 

[Jozefo]

Way to put words in my mouth. I never said the poor should not be helped. If I am called to charity and give something from my home to the poor, that is fine, but do I have the right to barge into your home, decide for you what you shall give, and simply take it from you and give it to the poor? Of course not. That decision should come from your own heart. Yes, excessive taxation is just like theft. Please employ search terms “American Revolution”.

Good point. I don’t understand why people want to interpret Scripture as saying Christ authorizes institutionalized theft. It’s just not true, as the Scriptures attest.

 

[SamH]

“Feed my sheep.”

What happens to sheep after you feed them a while?

 

[Robert_Sock]

Apathy, uncaring, unconcerned, unmoved, unsympathetic, inconsiderate, unfeeling, cold, callous, indifferent, uninterested, etc, etc. These are the roots to extreme poverty.

 

[Robert_Sock]

*Matthew 19:16-24
[16] And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? [17] Who said to him: Why asketh thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. [18] He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. [19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [20] The young man saith to him: All these I have kept from my youth, what is yet wanting to me?

[21] Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me. [22] And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad: for he had great possessions. [23] Then Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. [24] And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.*

 

[meltzerboy]

*Matthew 19:16-24
[16] And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? [17] Who said to him: Why asketh thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. [18] He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. [19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [20] The young man saith to him: All these I have kept from my youth, what is yet wanting to me?

[21] Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me. [22] And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad: for he had great possessions. [23] Then Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. [24] And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.*

Unfortunately, the real world behaves and fights against this teaching most of the time and, even worse, tries to convince the rest of us that they are clever and good.

 

[dshix]

Yet another Robert Sock welfare thread.

Robert, let’s just clarify this: There will ALWAYS be suffering in the world. There will always be injustice, cruel governments with elitist leaders, countries in a state of poverty, and widespread starvation in the world. We live in a fallen world, and there is NO WAY it will become perfect again until the end of the world, when the New Heaven and the New Earth are raised, and all peoples go to their just reward; heaven or hell.

 

[Jozefo]

Apathy, uncaring, unconcerned, unmoved, unsympathetic, inconsiderate, unfeeling, cold, callous, indifferent, uninterested, etc, etc. These are the roots to extreme poverty.

Yes, and they are the fruits of the love of money. We can add distrust, manipulations, and deceit.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Yes, and they are the fruits of the love of money. We can add distrust, manipulations, and deceit.

And one thing that wasn’t mentioned, . . PRIDE.

It isn’t just about money. We could live in a society in which ‘money’ didn’t exist and all necessities were available without cost. . .and people would STILL refuse to accept them, and what’s more, would use them improperly, and would still steal from others. . .

all from pride.

 

[Jozefo]

And one thing that wasn’t mentioned, . . PRIDE.

It isn’t just about money. We could live in a society in which ‘money’ didn’t exist and all necessities were available without cost. . .and people would STILL refuse to accept them, and what’s more, would use them improperly, and would still steal from others. . .

all from pride.

I think that’s an excellent point. But I wonder, if they would refuse to accept things, do you think it might be because people believe that old saying about no free lunch? I could qualify for a number of government programs, but I know that by applying for them and signing my name, I would be signing away part of my freedom. I won’t do that.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Yet another Robert Sock welfare thread.

Robert, let’s just clarify this: There will ALWAYS be suffering in the world. There will always be injustice, cruel governments with elitist leaders, countries in a state of poverty, and widespread starvation in the world. We live in a fallen world, and there is NO WAY it will become perfect again until the end of the world, when the New Heaven and the New Earth are raised, and all peoples go to their just reward; heaven or hell.

Yes, another thread, but you need not look or post unless you’re truly interested.

So let us throw our hands up in the air and condone extreme poverty, and the crime against humanity that it entails.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Robert, let’s just clarify this: There will ALWAYS be suffering in the world. There will always be injustice, cruel governments with elitist leaders, countries in a state of poverty, and widespread starvation in the world. We live in a fallen world, and there is NO WAY it will become perfect again until the end of the world, when the New Heaven and the New Earth are raised, and all peoples go to their just reward; heaven or hell.

And since there will always be suffering in the world, perhaps we should do away with all medical research too.

 

[tabycat]

Yet another Robert Sock welfare thread.

Robert, let’s just clarify this: There will ALWAYS be suffering in the world. There will always be injustice, cruel governments with elitist leaders, countries in a state of poverty, and widespread starvation in the world. We live in a fallen world, and there is NO WAY it will become perfect again until the end of the world, when the New Heaven and the New Earth are raised, and all peoples go to their just reward; heaven or hell.

 

[tabycat]

Yes, another thread, but you need not look or post unless you’re truly interested.

So let us throw our hands up in the air and condone extreme poverty, and the crime against humanity that it entails.