In these times of severe poverty, who is being proven by the Holy Scriptures that will not be worried?
What are the things that must be done and what must not be done
in order to secure his daily needs in life?
Before we answer that question let us watch this first.
In contemporary time,
it cannot be denied that the speedy increase of knowledge and modernization of civilization
brought convenience to many people in the different parts of the world.
But this picture of the new society is not holistic, because on the contrary,
along with this many people suffer hardships in life.
At present economic crisis is experienced throughout the world not only by those in the Third World Countries
but also in the industrialized countries as well.
For example, in the U.S., in 2016 alone,
43.1 million people suffer form poverty
and 15.8 million people have no enough food to eat.
It was published in a website discussing about global poverty,
almost half of the world population,
or almost 3 billion people live below 2.50 US dollars a day.
That is equivalent to one hundred twenty two pesos and 50 centavos in Philippine currency.
Further, more than 1.3 billion people live in severe poverty.
They live for only 1.25 US dollars a day,
equivalent to 61.25 Philippine peso.
According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die every day because of poverty.
The crisis in our country continue to worsen.
Mr. Rodulfo has seven children and he admits of the hardship they experience.
In order to meet the needs of his family, he switched jobs just to get by.
Before I worked in the garbage dump,
I worked as a dump truck driver assistant.
(the job) Depends on the travel route, that depends on the route.
Then I used to earn 250 to 300 (pesos).
I also worked in the construction in my extra (time).
You have to work. Before you get your salary for a week, you have to invest first.
You have to work for one week pro bono then the next week you can get your salary.
I am a vendor of 'bopis' (viand).
I have a boss that mix the ingredients.
The capital is theirs.
I just sell this.
My income is by percentage (of sales).
That is the only umbrella I use.
While that is open I stand there beside the bike sidecar.
I endure the rainfall, what is important is I earn money (thru selling this).
Despite of their numerous necessities, few person are capable to work for his family.
If you are alone working.
Then you have no helper, you will work for a living – just you alone.
If (the necessities does not suffice) you will run to a store and borrow, just pay for it tomorrow.
Whatever is available there that is edible, can be cooked,
only that (will be the meal for the day).
If there's no more, sorry.
Whatever can be bought (by small money I have) just buy and don't expect for something else
because we were not born rich.
Because sometimes, I just blend coffee.
Throughout the day, I just drink coffee, that's enough.
My dream before is to be an army.
I want to be rich too, the problem is I was not able to go to school.
Angel, on the other hand, in in a different situation.
She's only a minor when she had a child.
I gave birth when I was 17.
I am now almost 18.
Because I have only one child it (life) is not very difficult.
(What does your husband do for a living?)
Um… in garbage collection. He is a garbage collector.
They collect garbage in subdivisions, then they will throw (the garbage) there.
(He earns) 150, 250 (pesos), it increases depending on the route.
If subdivision is that the same.
Um, if he receives salary he buys rice,
I do the grocery,
then my brother also helps me, he works too, they are two.
(It's game, so push)
(What do you wish to happen in your life?)
to finish my studies… I want to graduate, then I want to be a caregiver..the income is big.
Because Angel has only one child, they can at least meet their needs.
Despite the fact that her husband is the only one working for the family.
But the poverty and hardship around her is still wide open in her eyes.
They should have not had many children
because if they will have more children life is very difficult
but if they have only one child it won't be very hard.
Further, you can no longer buy what your child wants.
Like, if he likes that you can't buy that.
Only one or two child, that's enough.
In our case our children are two, because it's hard.
Those who are similarly situated like my friends who are already married.
For example their spouses are jobless, they'll say 'your husband is lazy'.
Why did you marry him.
You should tell him 'collect garbage' just to have something to eat.
It's hard, it's hard because their parents are already poor,
then they still married that poor one.
Even the skilled workers cannot escape the blows of poverty.
I am a mechanic, the Php 1,000 I earn during the heydays.
Daily that's mine. That is enough.
Coupled with savings. On that topic.
How about the educational expenses of your children?
That is a must, an obligation (education).
That's why oftentimes (I prepare) until high school or two years (college) course program.
To finish four year course (in college) I cannot sustain.
If needed, I have to increase work hours.
Usually how many man hours do you add?
Sometimes I work overnight,
sometimes we work 24 hours to meet our sustenance.
So when we talk about livelihood, it's tough.
Admit it or not, many folks here just make it even just to get by,
because truth be said, it's like all kinds of hardships have been brought here.
What is it you're cooking? It seems delicious.
Don't go too far, I told you before just look out over there,
sure many people there still haven't eaten breakfast.
They just stand there outside, (and it's almost ten o'clock). That is our situation here.
Despite all this his viewpoint in life is still positive.
I think life will be good.
Because when we talk about, say, (those directly living) illegally,
many were diminished in this place.
They weakened (or their number) decreased.
Because it's difficult to lose hope.
So if we see a glimmer of hope, then don't lose hope.
Angel and Mr. Rodolfo are only few of the millions of Filipino living below the poverty line.
According to IBON Foundation,
a family with four members must earn Php 1,088.00 a day to meet their necessities
aside from their education and hospital or medical emergencies.
Therefore, in order to meet that requirement, there must be three persons
with minimum wage of Php 481 to meet the salary of Php 1,443.00.
If a household provider earns lower than this amount it means his family lives "below poverty line."
According to National Statistics Office, 12.1% or 12.18 million Filipinos live in severe poverty,
where their income is not enough for their family to eat three times a day.
These numbers continue to increase.
This is a clear indication of the worsening problem of poverty.
Even if our Lord God foretold the worsening poverty in this life,
but God gave all the things that man needs in order to live peacefully, safely and I will give glory to Him.
Poverty is like an epidemic or plague that spreads so fast throughout the world and enslaves many people.
Eventhough leaders of the private and public sectors strive to solve and eliminate this problem,
poverty is still experienced by many people and is still getting worse.
That is correct, brother Israel.
And like what we saw in the documentary,
half of the world population live in extreme poverty.
The proof of this, is the worsening famine and malnutrition.
Even according to the documentary we just watched, Mr. Rodolfo said,
they just drink coffee the whole day just to get by.
Yes brother Ron, according to that (interview),
it's already ten o'clock but many still haven't taken their breakfast.
adding to that brother Israel, the millions of jobless citizens,
though they are already college graduates and skilled workers,
they still cannot find decent jobs.
That's the reason why others are underemployed, and the others are unemployed.
And this condition is not only true in our country but also this is true in both the poor and in rich countries.
But it does not necessarily mean that someone must be worried or get 'stressed'.
He can do something so as not to be overcome by the hardships he experience.
And in this time of poverty, it is important to secure his daily needs.
That is correct, because if man does not do this his and his loved ones' life will be miserable.
Therefore let us know from the Bible, what must be done and what must not be done
so that we will not lack in our needs?
In Proverbs 21:20 this is what the Bible says:
Wise people live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.
We must learn to be wise so as not to lack in needs.
Why do others have insufficient needs in life?
Because of reckless and unwise spending of money,
they don't even think how to spend their money.
This must not be seen among us, because according to the verse we read
It is stupidity to be an unwise spender.
How do other people squander their money?
Listen to the pronouncement of the Bible, in Isaiah 55:2 this is what we can read:
Why spend money on what does not satisfy?
Why spend your wages and still be hungry?
The reason why others lack in their needs is because they spend their money on worthless things.
Or on things that they already have, but they just want to have something new.
This is squandering money.
That is correct. For example, if we talk about gadgets like cell phone.
It is 'in' nowadays.
He just bought a new one, then when a recent version/model is on the market,
he wants to replace his cell phone.
Although he has other things to pay for, like family necessities that must be prioritized.
Instead of spending money on his and his family's primary necessities,
others call them 'basic necessities',
they throw away their money buying things that are not really needed
or to things that are not of that real value.
That is true, that is lavishness, brother Israel.
And in the Bible we can read what will happen to them.
Here in Proverbs 21:17, here it is written, please listen:
Indulging in luxuries, wine, and rich food will never make you wealthy.
Even if a man is born rich or even if he earns big money but he is a big spender,
extravagant (like for example he just received his salary but he spent it all on things that are not really needed)
worse if he spends it in is vices, that person will never be prosperous or wealthy.
If that is the manner of living of a man,
he will really run short of his needs and he will fall into debts,
much worse, he will sink in poverty.
Other people turn into doing evil (just to escape poverty).
Other people, because they lack money to buy food, even turn to vices,
instead of buying food, they will buy cigarette, or alcohol,
or will spend their money gambling.
The Bible makes it sure, these people will not ever prosper.
Men must avoid these bad examples.
Therefore, countrymen, it is important to learn to spend your money wisely.
Learn to budget money you earned
This is wise budgeting.
That is correct brother Israel.
What is needed is the list of basic needs of the family like food, rent or house amortization,
electric bill, water bill, clothings, transportation allowance, medical expenses, among others.
And upon possession of the list, if there are other expenses aside from those listed already,
it is important that budgeting must be done realistically.
Which means anyone must not allow that his expenses exceeds what he earns or his salary.
Buying things that is not really needed must always be avoided.
After deliberating or deciding budgetary arrangement,
it is proper to ascertain the priority listing of what should be bought first.
Meaning to say, which must be first for their family's needs.
In the Bible there is instruction here in Proverbs 13:11 (NIV), here it is written:
Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
So let us save money little by little. Especially the parents.
Truly, this is the responsibility of the parents to save up for their children.
So what many parents are doing is right, they are saving up not only for themselves
but also for their children as well.
This is necessary.
Not saving up is unacceptable.
Especially in most occasions our family will have emergency needs, our children.
For example, study needs, or sometimes unavoidably,
someone gets sick, you need to buy medicine.
If you don't have savings, where will you get the money?
That is true brother Israel.
Like what Angel said in the interview we watched,
he wants something or his children needs something but she cannot give it.
That is why some fall into financial shortage and lack in their needs.
Above all, what should we do so that we will not lack in our needs?
Here in James 4:2(b) TEV this is what we can read, taught by the Apostles, please listen:
"You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it."
May you notice what the Bible said.
We must learn to ask our Lord God through prayer.
If we can say our needs to other people, isn't it right that we tell God of our needs?
Therefore it is very important for each families to have time to pray to our Lord God.
For example before going to bed or whatever time the family agreed upon.
What can we hope beloved televiewers if we submit our petitions or if we seek God of our needs?
This is what we can read in Psalm 34:10 let us see what it says:
The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
It is important for us to learn to seek our Lord God so as not to lack in any good things that we need.
If people devote time to do their jobs,
much the same way people must devote time for doing things that please God, like praying.
Beloved televiewers, the Administration of the Church Of Christ always admonish us
to pray and always entrust everything to our Lord God.
But who among those who pray and ask for their needs will certainly be heard and will not be forsaken by God?
This was proven by King David in Psalms 37:25 (NKJV) this is what he pronounced to us:
I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.
King David's experience and based on what he had seen there is no righteous servant of God
is abandoned neither his descendants is found begging for bread in order to live.
Therefore in order to hope for the fulfillment of God's promises
it must be ascertained first by man that he is included among God's servants.
And we hope you noticed from the verse we read, not just a servant of God.
But a righteous or obedient to His commands.
Because God's servants who are righteous, are promised that will not be forsaken,
neither his descendants, nor his family, nor his clan, will not be begging for bread.
They are those who have the right to pray to our Lord God and will certainly be heard by our Lord God.
Beloved televiewers, like what we discussed to you previously through the truths written in the Bible,
our Lord God recognizes as His servants in these last days are those inside the Church Of Christ.
That is why we try to convince you to join us,
so that you will also feel that God fulfills his promise that he will not forsake His servants.
What should be believed by the servants of God that God can do for us if we will ask Him all our needs?
This is the pronouncement in Philippians 4:19 (TEV) this is what we can read.
And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.
Our Lord God can give us all the things that we need from His abundant wealth that will not run dry.
It has been proven in real events and God will continue to prove it in our lives and in our living.
Let us do our share and certainly God will do His part.
We can trust our Lord God because He is true
and He is God Almighty and He can do all His promises.
Let us always trust Him, let us always pray to Him to be certain of receiving His blessings.
Once again thank you for your continued patronage.
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