Why would you assume poverty to be an evil? There is nothing intrinsically evil with poverty itself… perhaps the evil would be better placed on the conditions that allow such disparity in the distribution of this world’s goods.
After my ex-husband left me and our six young children, ranging in age- then- from 14 years to 14 months of age, we were destitute. I was losing the use of my left leg and needed major sugery to halt the deterioration (from an old spinal fracture) and my youngest child was in the process of being diagnosed with autism. Our income was nil. We lived on disability and so, after my surgery and subsequent recovery I started college. The impetus was poverty and a desire to provide more for my children–but when I got to school I discovered I loved academia and I did exceedingly well- even while living in utter poverty and rearing my six children as best as I could, while giving my youngest with autism all of the help that I possibly could.
I graduated with a 3.934 grade point average, summa cum laude, with departmental and commonwealth honors, did a 34 credit post- bac, and just earned my Master’s degree, an MFA.
Although reared in the kind of poverty where we knew hunger, my children grew up (in the words of their teachers) in an “enriched environment”. We are all readers and haven’t watched television in over 10 years. A libary card and interlibrary loan put the world at our fingertips. The children learned to name and chart the stars. They camped in the yard with home-made tents. The wrote books that they illustrated. They made home-made bows and arrows that became so sophisticated they could hit a target with precision. We said family rosary together on a regular basis and also had family bible reading. They never earned an allowance (I didn’t have nickel to give them) and they were always ready to help. They were appreciative of any kindness that ever came their way.
As soon as they were old enough they each took a job. They all wanted to contribute to the family. I wouldn’t take more than 15.00 from them so they found other ways to contribute. My second son bought me a washing machine out of his savings. Others would put gas in the car… they also saved their money for a car and to pay for their own insurance on the car and to pay for college.
The oldest has graduated from University with a BA in Finance and is doing well. He has taught 8th grade catechism for 4 years now. The second is putting himself through college as well as working three jobs, he is earning his BA in accounting. The third is doing the same-- his goal is to be a high school history teacher.The two oldest also went on a Habitat for Humanity mission this past summer to Africa to build homes for the impoverished people. They, of course, financed this themselves.
I guess the point is that, though we were poor enough to know want and worry, our lives were enriched in many ways, not the least of which was through our faith and love for God and family. The children learned wonderful lessons that will serve them throughout life. Poverty is neither a glorious good nor a foul evil. How we choose to live in the condition of poverty is what causes good or evil to follow-- but then, that goes for any financial state or, indeed, any condition of life…
