Dialogue and attention continue to be given to those who struggle to have their basic needs met. The church has a great opportunity to assist someone seeking to grow spiritually while helping them through benevolence. Bringing others to Christ is the Christian’s mission (Matthew 28:16-20). We must also understand many in our community are challenged with the unity of their family, their health, economic/food security all the while struggling to attain an educational level that will sustain a standard of living. The breakdown in our society creates not only physical challenges but also spiritual barriers.
Recently, the Kentucky Youth Advocates & the Kentucky Data Center published the following statistics in the Barren County Profile. This study revealed 30.4% of children are in poverty, 19.9% of children are living in food insecure households, 20% of young adults (ages 19-25) are without health insurance, 54.6% of children are in “out of home” care, 22.1% of youth are incarcerated in the juvenile justice system, and 10% of students are not graduating from high school. These numbers are tied directly to “the poor.”
“The poor” has always been with us. Matthew 26:11 says For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. Jesus was reminding the disciples the opportunity to assist the less fortunate would be ever present, but His time was short. The message to us is we have an opportunity to find ways to help the downtrodden while remembering life is brief; we must capitalize on the opportunity to tell others about Christ as we show love through charity.
The need for physical aid is obvious & the need for spiritual conversations are evident. The breakdown of the home is challenging but also reflects sin which separates one from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Let’s extend assistance to others as we display Christ.
