Ash Barker Poverty

Today, as we find ourselves in the twenty first century, our problem with poverty still exists and appears to be getting worse. Cities are continuing to grow to max capacities, hunger rings clear throughout the world, natural resources are depleted everyday due to over use, causing a degradation of our environment and billions of individuals do not claim Yahweh as their God. These are the occurrences on this planet on an everyday day cycle. There appears to be more focus on selfishness and the everyday rather than living in community with others. Plain and simple, poverty is serious and we must get to the root of it. However, Ash Barker believes we can maintain a prosperous planet once again by looking to the entire biblical narrative and

Beginning in Job, it is evident that poverty can indeed fall turmoil on anyone (Job 19: 7-29). The reasons for poverty cannot necessarily be faulted on the poor. Following in the Psalms, the overarching idea is that God delivers all and that we should love each other in the midst (Ps. 35:1-; 82). In this, it is expected that all individuals, especially the most power who can take advantage of vulnerabilities, to practice love and justice. In the wisdom book of Proverbs, equality of humans is made clear in chapters 13 and 22. Lastly, in the book of Ecclesiastes, the benefits of honest work are highlighted. God dislikes oppression and exploitation and calls all to bask in the joys and glories of life so that life can be enjoyed to the fullest, but not at the disadvantage of others (Ecc. 5:18). By looking at these books, we are enlightened with a truth. To help the level of poverty there must be a focus in both the material and physical realms, starting with the spiritual. Here Barker effectively uses scripture to build a full spectrum framework of poverty and how alleviate

The key ideas that Barker has brought to the surface are equality, community, and that we are all made in the image of God. In fact, these main ideas are expressed in both the Old and New Testaments which Barker has so eloquently expressed. Therefore, in my context, I can build community by seeing all as equally made in the image of God therefore all hold assets that contribute society. So, as I work, I bring these assets to the surface by addressing oppression and injustice and treating everyone as equals doing unto my neighbors as I would want to be treated. This is at the core of it all. And with the power of the Holy Spirit transformation can begin to take place from one person, to one family, to one community at a