America is in an era of uncommon poverty. The average citizen is receiving government handouts and still struggling to provide for the essential needs of their own families. We have always dealt with poverty and the effects it has on society. Men have written conflicting ideas on how to handle poverty and alleviate some of its tensions in life. Consider Horatio Alger's "Ragged Dick" and Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" for societal differences. Being a student of the Bible and remembering Scripture where Jesus tells us that the poor will always be with us, we are facing a continuous struggle. We have streets lined with the homeless and this is the epitome of poverty.
The world is experiencing these huge metropolises of big businesses spawned by technology. Trillions are being made in online sales and the socially elite classes (such as those possessing great wealth and power) are acting superior in America's Constitutional struggle for existence.
Social Darwinism was a nineteenth century theory that explained some humans are endowed with specific characteristics and personality traits to better survive than others. This was explained in the book "Ragged Dick." Yet, Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" was totally opposite. The poor were not due to bad habits as in Horatio Alger's book,"Ragged Dick" but due to the thieves and political corruption.
Has life taught us that the only opportunity we have to rise in society is through money or corruption? Through the eyes of Sinclair, he taught that Americans were controlled entirely by corporate greed to which the average person was enslaved. His motives in his novel portrayed the injustices of a free market by the distributions of wealth and how standards of living are basically determined by the profit driven corporations. The author, a political activist, was a devout supporter of Socialism. Created by Karl Marx, Socialism contains three principles; labor theory of value, surplus value and proletarianism. These ideas proclaim that it is the work that makes a product and gives it the value and that business management adds nothing. In consequence, the owners steal the worker's profit eventually leaving them impoverished. Socialists were advocates for equality and even distributions of wealth.
Undersigned by John Hancock, the Declaration of Independence declares all men are created equal. As a student of the Holy Bible, the closest God comes to this is in Galatians 3:28 KJV "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye all are one in Christ Jesus." God views those who have accepted Jesus equal. But not ALL have accepted Christ Jesus as their Savior. Not all men who call themselves Christian, know Christ. In the treatment of equal for equality's sake, would a wife cook her neighbor's breakfast, every morning, as she cooks her husband's breakfast? No, she would not. She cooks for her own husband and not for her neighbor's husband.
A Utopian world will only come when Christ Jesus rules and reigns. It is not in man to make "all men equal." Left to his own devices (without God) man will always self-destruct. Man cannot survive when he tries to do what is right in his own eyes.
Educate all people equally and still some will have better grades than others. Divide money equally and still some will grow their money and some will lose their money.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (variation), neither shadow of turning." Shadow of turning meaning - God does not change. James 1:17KJV
This is Apostle Paul speaking about Christ Jesus, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by Him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things were created by Him and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (hold together)." Colossians 1:15-17 KJV
If you know Jesus, you are far richer than having gold, diamonds, platinum or the wealth of the world. And if you think you are hated because of racism, the world first hated Christ Jesus. Humble yourself before God and let Him raise you up. "Eye has not seen or mind imagined, what Christ Jesus has in store for those who love Him." This is a promise in Scripture. Capitalism is absolutely wonderful, if the owner knows God, because those whom Christ sets free are free indeed. This is said to a nation whose Supreme Court once declared it a Christian nation.
A Christian can also say, "Thanks to Jesus, I'm eternal. I will always have another day." Lord have mercy on those who cannot say that.
The End.
Author Notes: I tried touching on Capitalism, Socialism, Racism and the Word of God.
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United States • 79 years old