The Federal Government announced that a family of four earning $18,810 a year is living in poverty. So I ask myself, how do you budget that amount? What do you leave out? How far will it go?

Last year the number of Americans living in poverty rose for the third consecutive year. Statistics in the U.S. has grown by more than 4 million with the Midwest and South seeing the greatest increases, and Asian Americans the largest group.

It seems that opportunities for families living in poverty are dwindling. Last year more than two million American jobless workers had been out of work for half a year or more this was the highest level in twenty years according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Forty percent of single working moms hand over half of their paycheck for childcare how can they possibly survive this way? And what is the answer?

Do you believe that most people could get out of the poverty-pit if they only had a job? Well that statement is false! Nearly two-thirds living in poverty are children, and the elderly with fixed or no income.

Yes indeed! There really was such a thing as a Poorhouse; it was not something made up by parents like a boogeyman. It was meant to frighten you into saving your money and spending it wisely. In the 1800s, County Poorhouses dotted the United States. We don't have Poorhouses today, unless you want to count the cardboard shelters and soup kitchens that the homeless depend on.

Finally in 2005 and we have the resources, knowledge and opportunity to end this shameful situation. Most Americans believe the federal government has a responsibility to alleviate poverty. But a more realistic solution lies with willing citizens to take up the cause and help one family escape from poverty. This is not as inconvenient or as laborious as you might think.

I watched a story produced by Rev Riley ministering in one of the poorest communities in Texas. It was his sincere wish and hope that his entire congregation be blessed by gifts and learn to live the Law of Abundance. I was so impressed with his complete success that I began to duplicate it in my own home state. He has proven that what you give in life will come back many times over.

Rev Riley put it best. "Come and catch the spirit of giving".

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© 2005 Esther Smith
Esther Smith is publishes a syndicated weekly Newsletter, Partners-For-Profit. Subscribe: http://quikonnex.com/channel/page/esmith. More info regarding this Article email: editor@thepermanentventure.com?subject=EAO

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