The Poverty of the Affluent

I don't remember where I heard that phrase, but it has stuck with me.

The poverty of the affluent.

I live in the richest country in the world. The list of billionaires grows almost daily, but the poor among us often seem doomed to stay that way.

The poverty of the affluent.

The brave people in our military who put their lives on the line everyday for our freedom are grossly underpaid and it's difficult to find them money for supplies and training. Not to mention they have been sent to fight a war they can't win. Our President, the Commander and Chief, pushed through a tax bill that benefits the above mentioned billionaires and will be in affect for the next three years. Now he's trying to make those benefits perminent.

The poverty of the affluent.

Our wants have become our perceived needs and so we shoot each other over gold necklaces and trust funds. Or we dig ourselves into the depths of credit card debt because we not only need (want) it, we need (want) it NOW! And the offers for more credit arrive in our mailboxes everyday.

The poverty of the affluent.

We have more "no fault" divorces, amicable break-ups and shared custody of the children than ever before. The child in the classroom who still lives with both parents is in the minority and even those kids rarely see their parents who are working longer hours to make more money, pay the minimum balance on those credit cards, and keep up with the Jones'.

The poverty of the affluent.

We can afford to take more drugs (both legal and illegal), play more online poker, and keep it more quiet than ever before, so we medicate our way through life.

The poverty of the affluent.

Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
What a man desires is unfailing love,
better to be poor than a liar.
The fear of the Lord leads to life:
then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Proverbs 19:21-23