Message: The Heart of Humanity (07/03/'24)

Message: The Heart of Humanity Dear Friends, Today, I want to address an issue that affects us all, whether directly or indirectly: poverty. Poverty is not merely about food stamps and homeless shelters. It is an isolated social evil, a catalyst and breeding ground for myriad other problems. It lays the foundation for family breakups, stress, and strained relationships. It fuels unemployment, drug addiction, and alcoholism, casting a long, dark shadow over countless lives. Three out of four people find themselves one paycheck away from being homeless, teetering on the brink of despair. Street outreach becomes essential, a lifeline that allows us to learn and experience the harsh realities of homelessness firsthand. The righteous, as Proverb 29:7 tells us, are concerned for the rights of the poor. They possess an understanding and compassion that the wicked do not. The wicked, oblivious to the struggles of those around them, lack the empathy to comprehend such concern. In the realm of poverty, we see a reflection of our collective humanity. It’s a mirror that reveals the depth of our compassion or the extent of our indifference. For poverty is not just an economic condition but a moral challenge. It tests the integrity of our societal values and the strength of our communal bonds. Consider these words, which paint a vivid picture of poverty’s pervasive impact: "Poverty is not just food stamps, not mere shelter's need, It’s an isolated social evil, where many woes proceed. A catalyst, a breeding ground, where sorrows intertwine, Family breakup, stress and strife, relationship's decline. Unemployment knocks on doors, despair it firmly plants, Drug and alcohol's grim embrace, in poverty's dark trance. Three out of four, one paycheck short, of being cast aside, Into the arms of homelessness, where broken spirits hide. Street outreach becomes the key, to learn and deeply see, The faces and the stories, of those in misery. The righteous, hearts with concern, seek justice for the poor, While wicked souls, devoid of care, let suffering endure. 'The righteous is concerned,' it’s written, wisdom's old decree, 'For the rights of those in poverty,' with hearts that feel and see. But wicked ones, they turn away, their hearts devoid of light, They cannot grasp the burdened souls, lost in poverty's night. So let us stand with open hearts, and hands outstretched in care, To fight the evil poverty, with love and justice fair. For in the fight to lift the poor, our true humanity, Is found within the righteous act, of boundless charity." In the struggle against poverty, we find the essence of our humanity. We see the righteous, those who are deeply concerned for the rights of the poor, standing against the tide of indifference. They reach out with open hearts and hands, fighting the darkness with love and justice. It is in these acts of boundless charity that we find our true selves, our true society. For the fight against poverty is not just about alleviating economic hardship; it is about affirming our shared human dignity and our commitment to each other. Let us, therefore, rise to this moral challenge. Let us stand with open hearts and hands outstretched in care. Let us fight the evil of poverty with love and justice, ensuring that our actions reflect the righteousness that seeks justice for the poor. In doing so, we affirm our shared humanity and strengthen the bonds of our community. Thank you, and may we all strive to be the righteous who are concerned for the rights of the poor. Blessings, Pastor Steven G. Lee (July 3, 2024)