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[Zagzagel]

Just another silly thread of mine.

But I was thinking outside of reality...a reality that can never be realized.. but I wonder if it is in fact possible under certian circumstances?  And I wonder what would happen?

Lets imagine a world where there was not a single Theist.. or a single Athiest, or agnostic..or whatever.. to me.. all thoughts/ideas are dependant on an idea of the God idea.

Anways, lets imagine.... could we get rid of world poverty?

[MzbytheBook]

LOL... That's a nice idea.  Would we still have free will to choose? Would people be good, bad, or a combination?   

[Zagzagel]

I'm not gonna delete your post right now... lol

Besides the silliness of my first few words, the reason I asked is because I was reading a post in my daily news paper (which made no connection to belief or whatever).

It said.. (my paraphrase)

That poverty should NOT exist in Canada.  Every single being alive in this Country should have enough money to survive comfortably.  (I was too late in saving the clip, my spouse uses it as a carpet for droppings for the pets...haha.)

Anyways, after reading that opinion by a certian studious person, I thought I would raise this thread.

Today, I heard a message (from christian radio broadcast) that millions, billions are spent on things not necessary.  (This message basically was trying to advise debty christians to get debt free).  This got me to thinking...

What if we all were just satisfied with living within our means?  Could we all (all who could do it) give what was left over to help those others who didn't have the means to do this for themselves or others?

I could see the complications... but it was just a thought.

[MzbytheBook]

It's still a nice idea. Some people just don't know how to live within their means.  We live in a world of "I want, I want, I want." 

Poverty should not exist in MY HOUSE but it does :)   Seriously, it's everywhere.  I really feel sorry for the kids, though. Probably because I am a parent and would hate to see my kids without food or clean clothes or shelter. 

And, yeah, we used some of our paper clippings for our pets, too   :)   

[composer2005]

I heard a great Lecture once.

In essence it said: "God provided for the needs of every one, but not for the greeds of every one"

Cheers!

[Zagzagel]

Hmm... I just could not be comfy with your homey.. the preacher.  I'm pretty darn sure that much of the third world is not greedy about anything.. they just want not to die?

[Dotard]

Pardon the necro. But this is an interesting topic to ponder.

What if we all were just satisfied with living within our means?  Could we all (all who could do it) give what was left over to help those others who didn't have the means to do this for themselves or others?


We'd have to define what is "living within our means" and "live comfortably".

While I would call a modest home and food staples in the pantry "comfortable living" old Joe money-bags would call a shack and eating garbage.  So I believe Joe, in his hill top house driving his 16 cars and donating a couple hundred a month to the local food bank, would say he is already keeping 'just enough' to live within his means and live comfortably while giving the rest to charity and helping others.

I would call it 'greed' while Joe calls it 'living within his means only purchasing what is nessasary.

What if we all were just..... satisfied? A home with a room for every two people in the family, no big den with 52" plasma, no huge covered patio with an opulent garden and swimming pool, etc.  Basic food staples, no caviar, imported wines, phesant under glass, etc.

 Could we all  give what was left over to help those others who didn't have the means to do this for themselves or others?  I think yes, we could. But that would make us one of those evil socialists and we can't have that, now could we?

[Zagzagel]

Hmmm.. I'll get back to that interesting thought.  :)

[Zagzagel]

We'd have to define what is "living within our means" and "live comfortably".

Why define it when it's in our face?  LOL.  This thought of yours is just not sitting well with me.  Here is why.

So I believe <-- your words.

What DO YOU BELIEVE?  Read your own words/thread.

I guess that is all I can delve into for now cause I have someone calling me and I have to go.

[jfoxton]

Here's my two cents worth -
Part of the answer lies in describing the glass that is half full/half empty - both are true but which description you choose belies an attitude.  As a Christian, I'm always (don't infer that I am "always") to be thankful for my state of (family I'm born into, land of birth, time in history of our life, social status, wealth (or lack of), etc. etc.)  As we go through the list, my emotions rise and fall - some very positive, some no so much.  Jesus stated that if we have food and clothing we are to be greatful - maybe the milder climate in Israel didn't require housing as such.  As part of the middle class, the onus to expect a higher standard of living by sweat and smarts is part of my psyche.  I am part my culture.  I am hoodwinked, by my own volition, to be the upwardly mobile part of society.  Alas, I have to admit that after having a great start and being the envy of young america things went wrong - ugly divorces in the family, untimely deaths, conflicts, bad advice, not going with my gut, etc., etc.   15 years later, it looks like things are starting to "get back on track" so to speak.  I don't pretend to think I've got it all figured out or that I have any sure guarantee what my worldly future holds.  I've been humbled by things that were out of my control and I have had to learn to walk in God's grace to keep my sanity and have hope for the future.  Peace and blessings in Jesus Christ.

[Ragnar]

The solution for Third World countries is for every single person who lives there to not have a baby. I'm sorry, but they have screwed themselves over so badly that the only real solution is to start over. If you can't feed yourself and you have half a dozen kids, you are part of the problem and do not deserve charity. If I couldn't afford to feed myself I would not have any kids.

As far as Western countries - U.S., Canada, probably most in Europe, etc. - every single person does have the means to take care of themselves. My girlfriend moved from Ohio to NY to be with me with just a high school diploma. She found two jobs within a month, and worked both of them at the same time. Since she has been here she has always kept at least one job, but for most of the time she has had two at once. She has also been able to quit jobs she didn't like and find another. Except for the first month, she contributes to rent, electric and groceries, and pays for our entire phone bill. She was 19 when she moved, now 20.

So I don't want to hear about poor people in Western countries. Other than children too young to work, and possibly the severely crippled, they are poor through their own bad decisions and I have no sympathy for any of them.