Every week a hundred
stories, if not a thousand, illustrate the truth that the Bible is the most
relevant and reliable book on the school’s library shelf. Having been a preacher for almost 50 years,
it is my purpose to pick a story each week that illuminates the impact the
Bible has had, could have, or should have on “modern” mankind.
This year marks the 50th
anniversary of President Johnson’s War on Poverty.[i] Does any student of history remember the 100
year war? I wondered how stupid could
people be—well… Johnson proved there is always a bigger idiot. His War on
Poverty could last a thousand years if it doesn’t bankrupt America first.[ii]
There is no bigger
idealistic idiot than someone who thinks mankind can solve poverty. Entering
the ring at 2 trillion pounds of hubris—Barrack Obama with his plan to create
“Promise Zones.”[iii] And—how much will these zones cost? Can
anyone say “TRILLIONS?” The government
already spends one trillion dollars annually on 80 programs designed to defeat
poverty.[iv] Will more government spending really end
poverty?
Since Johnson’s
declaration of war, the government has spent over 20 trillion dollars to wipe
out poverty.[v] Strangely, the rate of poverty has not gone
down, although spending has gone up.[vi]
So, what does the Bible
have to say about poverty?
