Ruth,<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]A man earning "blank" amt. per week or month, with say 4 children, rent or mortgage, food, has not money left for medical, etc. Even though everyone must agree the standard in America does not anywhere near compare to that of 3rd World countries!</font><hr></blockquote><p>Well the cost of living is high in America. We all have to decide how much we need versus how much we want. I've heard the argument that you've descibed above and recognize how expensive it can be to raise a family. When I was a child my parents had to do without a lot of things to pay tuition for me, my brother, and my sister to go to a Christian school. Are families willing to sacrifice today to do this? My parents sacrificed to insure that we were given a Christian education. I didn't even consider myself being poor even though we rarely had meals with meat in them. Today's minimum living standards are so much higher that I don't think many people really know what poverty is.<br><br>I don't think money is the real issue. Materialism has so blinded people that we think we need more than we really do. In America today we depend on consumer spending to keep the economy going. We are the most idolatrous covetous people on the face of the earth.<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]My own perspective was more of the focus of what the church does even for it's own poor. Someone once told me about the church they belonged to, wanted to change the color of the carpet in the church building instead giving food or money to the local poor. We sure seem to look after our own comfort and beyond before we look to others who have a lot less than we! I am disappointed that this un- Christlike attitude exists in our churches overwhelmingly today! We need bigger buildings, softer seats, more carpets, etc., always looking to ourselves! <br><br>It is to be expected in the "world", but in our church?</font><hr></blockquote><p>I agree we should care for the poor especially those of the household of faith.<blockquote>1 Timothy 5:8<br>But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. </blockquote>I know our church is very sensitive to the needs of the poor. The Deacons in our church provide tuition assistance for any family that cannot afford to send their children to Christian school. They also try to help some families who are poor because they haven't learned how to manage their money by teaching them how. Do you think we should share all things in common with each other as the early church community did in Acts 2:44-45?<br><br>Wes <br>

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts