May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Excerpted from “Poverty: An Adjustment in Thought” by Rich Bunch, Earth Stewardship Team, Sept/Oct 2020 Herald, pp. 14–15]

When one pictures poverty, scenes of huddled masses living in squalor and lacking adequate housing, food, water, and sanitation flash before us. Those images are powerful. However, what if one were to shift the paradigm slightly? Suppose you expanded the terms deficiency and inadequacy to include poverty of relationships, poverty of imagination, poverty of ideas, and lack of action?

Given those concepts, what could happen if we generated abundance in ideas and actions to address those huddled masses through relationship, commitment, and relief? Would not this expand stewardship to include thought and insights?

We cannot ignore the violence caused by destruction, degradation, and lack of access to Earth’s resources, matters that leave millions in poverty and hunger. This quiet, insidious violence denies millions access to clean air and water, resulting in disease and death.

The World Bank has determined that climate change contributes to malaise with the potential to drive hundreds of millions into poverty. The UN World Food Programme says the poor are hungry, and their hunger traps them in poverty. An estimated 800 million people worldwide do not have enough to eat.

In 2011, the World Church adopted a statement of five Mission Initiatives that included Abolish Poverty, End Suffering. That initiative includes helping those who hurt, feeding the hungry, supporting compassionate ministries, and responding in times of crisis. The task seems daunting, and it’s tempting to use the word impossible.

God, the Eternal Creator, weeps for the poor, displaced, mistreated, and diseased of the world because of their unnecessary suffering. Such conditions are not God’s will. Open your eyes to hear the pleading of mothers and fathers in all nations who desperately seek a future of hope for their children. Do not turn away from them. For in their welfare resides your welfare. —Doctrine and Covenants 163:4a

[This voice], ringing in our ears, is calling us to join and even accept leadership in organizations and movements responding to the poor. This brings us back to our definitions of poverty. Our stewardship demands that we work together to abolish poverty in every sense of the word: to generate ideas, solutions, and relationships that build community.

Prayer Phrase

“And all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Abundant Blessings

At the close of the day, reflect on where you noticed God’s blessings, especially in unexpected places. Offer a prayer of thanks and try to release any worry, trusting that God’s abundance will meet you again tomorrow.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.