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Tomorrows S.S. lesson in from Lev.23 and among other things puts an emphasis ( in v-22 ) to provide for the poor. I read this as one of the first national programs to make a way for the disadvantaged to survive and it was given directly by God. The writer of the lesson tells of some communities who set up barriers to in effect discourage the poor from coming to or staying in their town. One can see how a city that gains lots of money from tourism would not want the poor depressing the atmosphere around the tourists. At the same time with some creative thinking and planning the poor could still be taken care of. Most city councils do not think that part of their responsibility is to make provisions for the poor. When Jesus said that the poor shall always be with you; he could just as well have said the rich shall always be with you but lets think for a moment as to why there are so many poor people. About one in 12 people are born with a mental or physical disability. There are storms and floods that push people into poverty. There are car wrecks and sickness within the family. Plants shut down, jobs are moved out of the country and as one writer has said; there has seldom been a time when there was enough work for every person who needed a job. As I see it we should not ask if the poor are deserving but rather ask; what can I do to see that they have at least the basic essentials of life.