"YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE POOR WITH YOU BUT YOU DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ME" (JOHN 12:8): CHARITY AS WORSHIP OF GOD

Abstract

The theme of the "Poor" is relevant in social, economic and theological debates in contemporary society. Of course, the poor and poverty are examined on different fronts, depending on the spheres of the questioners. Governments, multinationals, church groups and individuals are all actively engaged in the question of the poor and poverty, on how either to eliminate poverty or alleviate the suffering of the poor.> On the economic front, R. Mark Isaac, Anne Bradley, Lord Brian Griffiths of Forestfach, Dato Kim Tan and Robert A. Sirico,” put the blame of poverty on thé door-steps of multinationals, the rich and governments: they are not doing enough to let "wealth" go around, hence, the need to appeal to the Christian roots of Western Economics in order to conscientize the "haves" to do something about the plights of the "have-nots."