Spike Tassel: Actually poverty is often caused by poor work habits and poor attitude. The Kingdom message which Jesus taught us to teach is very ethical, which helps to fix all of that!
wantarevolution: I'm sure that the millions of shanty dwellers around the world, who do work are glad to hear you say that. Perhaps in your corner of the world this is the case.
Spike Tassel's reply: The whole caste/ class system, regardless of location, reflects a lack of equality and value for the worth of others as fellow human beings worthy of honour, which reflects the poor work habits and poor attitude of those who "lord it over the shanty dwellers", whatever the "shanty" may be.
sweetstuff: As for what Tassel said regarding hopeful passages in the bible, well, quite frankly, it's pretty damned hard to listen to the bible 'message' when you can't hear crap all over the grumbling of your stomach. And to suggest that the "bible message" will solve all life's problems, that's a high ivory tower many do not have the luxury of living in today, tomorrow or next year.
Spike Tassel's reply: I don't see a problem with helping such literally-hungry ones. After all, the travelling overseers are fed, so why shouldn't the physically-hungry who also enjoy this message of Kingdom hope. Acts 6 deals with a similar situation. In balance, it is also important to not just have "rice Christians". There are plenty of organizations good at that, which is actually enabling the homeless problem to get worse, in my honest opinion.
