ARE THE POOR TO BLAME FOR THEIR POVERTY?
By T.
It is often stated that the poor are themselves to blame for their poverty. But can we say that this is always the case? Take, for instance, the child born in some of the attics or cellars of our city tenement-houses. This little one is brought into the world amid all the stifling surroundings of poverty. Poverty of the worst type is the heritage of generation upon generation. He knows of nothing but poverty, and with none to cause him to look higher, how can he ever rise above such a condition? There are also poor people who are made such through misfortune, or who have brought themselves into that condition because of their lack of ability to manage. All these classes need help. Indeed, every person who is suffering because of poverty, except those who are lazy, need to be helped. And this poverty class are the very ones that the rich, better than any others, can help. If the wealthy man will learn the meekness and the gentleness of Christ, he can approach the poor in such a way as to help them in every way. The poor do not need to have money given to them. That would be more than likely to make them worse off than ever before. But they need to be put in shape to stand up like men and women, to make money for themselves. And if this help be given to them, they in turn may become channels of blessing to help others. Thus the beneficent stream may be made ever broader and deeper. For the wealthy successfully to do a work of this kind in helping the poor, they must give personal attention to it. They can not delegate such work to some society,—no, not even to a church. The societies and the church have a work to do, but they can not do the personal work in helping the poor; that must be done by the wealthy as individuals. And if wealthy men and women can be induced to take up this work, the joy that will come to them in it can not be described. It will be that inexpressible joy that results from making some one else more comfortable, and consequently more happy. The ability and energy that have enabled the wealthy man to amass his fortune are the very elements that are needed to be used in helping and developing the dormant talents of the poor. The rich man may give some of his money to help the poor, and then content himself with the thought that he has done his duty. But his money is not needed any more in that work than his talents. The Lord is not calling for the rich man's money. He wants the man with his money. He wants these men of talent in money-making and money-saving to come with Him into His vineyard to relieve distressing want, and to educate men and women away from poverty.