The Struggle to Survive

The United States is in an era of uncommon poverty. The average citizen is receiving government stimulus checks 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 anxiety 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. Our streets are 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 of dollars are being made in online sales and the socially elite classes (those possessing great wealth and power) are acting superior in America's Constitutional struggle for existence. Rash decisions made while stressed are often optimistic, but of no beneficial help. For instance, illegal immigrants swarming across the American border seems kind and helpful to some, but to Americans it overwhelmed their institutions and it deplenished their finances.

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, but due to the thieves and the 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 the product 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 in 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 accept Christ Jesus as their Savior. Not all men who call themselves Christian know Christ. In treatment of equality 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. Teach people about Jesus Christ and some will accept Him and some will not.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes 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 1:17 KJV)

This is Apostle Paul speaking about Jesus, he says, "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 only wonderful if the Capitalist knows the Lord, because those whom Christ sets free are free indeed. A Christian Capitalist can take a nation where no other nation could go. Being blessed by God is the key. 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." What a great hope that is, but Lord have mercy on those who cannot say it.

The End.