the poor you have with you always
November 7th, 2005
Read today that the government wants to distribute some of the annual surplus if any to the older low- waged workers, a kind of bonus to alleviate hardship and encourage effort and work. It is an excellent idea for cushioning the increasing income gap, and answer complaints about cheap foreign labour taking away jobs and depressing income, not to talk about coming elections.
The Lord has always been concerned about the poor and powerless and many civil laws in the Old Testament targeted helping the poor of Israel. For instance farmers were not supposed to harvest the edges of their fields so that the poor can help themselves to the unharvested grain with dignity. There is some semblance of this in the proposal. Hope the idea of giving “bonuses” to today’s “urban poor” survives debate and that finally the amount given out will be helpful.
I would also love to see additional schemes to help the really poor, those who cannot even help themselves because of special circumstances or illness. Especially in medical care. Compassion is a value close to God’s heart and surely with our reserves more can be done in this area of need.
No comments yet.