tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178176908788570301.post6719136597290208061..comments2023-12-13T22:51:33.388+11:00Comments on The Drew Patch has moved!: The poor in AustraliaSherrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762088276758854686noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178176908788570301.post-81278040606225139802008-09-17T13:09:00.000+10:002008-09-17T13:09:00.000+10:00Hello Karen,you and I seem to be online at the sam...Hello Karen,<BR/><BR/>you and I seem to be online at the same time, which is fun!<BR/><BR/>I think that everything in common cannot mean absolute equality, because we read so much in the epistles about the rich in the church. They have specific commands addressed to them, such as caring for the needy and not chasing wealth. However, there is no indication that it is wrong that there are people of differing economic stations. It is only wrong if the needy are not being adequately cared for, and are mistreated.Sherrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16762088276758854686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178176908788570301.post-30095391694941002592008-09-17T12:43:00.000+10:002008-09-17T12:43:00.000+10:00It does seem that when Jesus encountered different...It does seem that when Jesus encountered different individuals, the only people where their "station" in life or their place in society changed were those who had had some hindrance to working and instead begged for their livelihood. (ie. the blind, the leper...)<BR/>He never spoke of having everything "equal". <BR/>The early church seemed to have everything in "common" and I think that still addresses the bare necessities and not necessarily a change in societal standards, hence, you will always have the poor with you.<BR/>Is this the correct understanding?Homemanagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13645445919199820207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178176908788570301.post-89125578986149649572008-09-17T09:41:00.000+10:002008-09-17T09:41:00.000+10:00I agree with you, Faith. The church does need to a...I agree with you, Faith. The church does need to assist those who are truly poor - and that should include life skills education. It is great to hear what your church is doing! Australia has a much more extensive welfare system than the US. This is why there are very, very few people who are living in absolute poverty (as a proportion of the population). However, some welfare groups turn out statistics such as "one in ten Australians live in poverty". I think this can be quite confusing and misleading, as what they mean is "relative poverty", which is not measured on the basis of a lack of the basic necessities of life.Sherrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16762088276758854686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178176908788570301.post-2709322599446614142008-09-17T02:51:00.000+10:002008-09-17T02:51:00.000+10:00I believe that the church (meaning the whole body ...I believe that the church (meaning the whole body of believers, not just one local church) should be helping the poor. The poor will always be among us. this includes the spiritually "poor" as well as physically/materially poor. Yet, i believe it is the local church's obligation to instruct people that "if you don't work, you shall not eat" (a bad paraphrase...sorry I don't know the correct quote off hand). our particular church has classes (free) to help people learn to budget, get job skills, etc. We also have a Caring Needs Network for people who are "between jobs" or recently unemployed. Here in the USA there are just way too many pepople taking advantage of the welfare system.Faithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06608258814596465122noreply@blogger.com