Reference no: EM133523507

Question

Several of you commented last week about being advocates for your patient, particularly the poor. Exposure to shelters, soup kitchens, and rescue missions for the homeless teaches us some unsettling and surprising things about the poor, money, handouts, government welfare programs and such. Homeless people and the poor see the problem from a different perspective than we would ever expect. You have to ask the question, "Who are the poor, really, in America?"

Read 1 Peter 3:8-17. Here, the Bible commands us to be sympathetic, to love one another, be compassionate and be humble. It seems to be saying that we are to respectfully study and understand each other so we can be more effective in how we apply and direct our efforts to benefit one another.

As you consider your poverty level patients and get to know them a little, what do you suggest we do to be of lasting help? Do we give them food, a little money, free healthcare, ignore them, tell them we'll pray for them and walk away, teach them how to fill out a job application form or what? If you had complete control of things [wouldn't that be fun?] what would you suggest as an effective and respectful way of helping the 'poor' you encounter?