What is poverty?
Many of us Westerners think of third-world living and only one word comes to mind:
poverty.
And for good reason.. For instance, according to projecthands.org 91% of this country lives in extreme poverty making less than $2 a day. That’s astounding.
And I’ve been pondering this question, “what is poverty?” because even though the statistics are indeed staggering, I think there is more to see than from a monetary perspective.
The Potter’s House is an organization that reaches out to the communities surrounding Guatemala City’s dump. After many years of service they realized that economic poverty (#1) is the least harmful form of poverty, and were able to compile a list of 7 other manifestations of poverty.
The 7 other forms beg me to ask myself the question, “where is poverty manifesting itself in my life?”
#2 Intellectual Poverty- Lack of knowledge or distorted ideas and wrong paradigms.
#3 Poverty of Affection- a lack of love which breeds low self-esteem, and may result in a hard time receiving and expressing love
#4 Poverty of the Will/Morality- a child growing up in a home without discipline and good habits and result in poor character development
#5 Physical Poverty- lack of health: malnutrition, disabilities, disease, sickness, etc.
#6 Poverty of a Support Network- the lack of family or support system; this usually results in the lack of a sense of identity, loneliness and unhealthy relationships
#7 Poverty of Civic Involvement- lack of community cooperation; a sense of indifference in government or community, lack of responsibility for community development, and no sense of believing in the “common good”
#8 Spiritual Poverty- a lack of relationship with God. This is the most important of them all and creates hopeless people consumed by their daily routine
When poverty is broken down, it’s pretty obvious it runs outside of the lines of third-world countries and the status of one’s bank account or the lack there of. It’s in our country. It might even be in our hearts– in the places where we lack intimate community or relationships. Ponder this question with me and let’s evict poverty from our lives and those around us, knowing it might take more intentionality than an online donation.
