POVERTY - Why can't they just get a job? by Vanessa Roth

She started by talking about how our values and behaviors on poverty have been shaped through history. The Puritan Work Ethic, the Depression, Great Society and Welfare Reform - how it went from "Deserving" and "Undeserving" poor to being caused by societal factors. To me, it was interesting to think about how society, our laws, and even the Bible have shaped how I think about poverty.
Even in Matthew 25, when Jesus talks about the three guys with the talents. Not everyone gets the same amount (kind of like how God gives some people more intelligence, personality, talents, etc). And the one who just comes back with the dollar disappoints the master. However, right after that Jesus talks about us loving the "least of these." It's almost like Jesus is saying, "Yeah, God has given you stuff and you are responsible for how you take care of it, but I want you to love even the people who are not responsible or who have not taken care of their talents. And to those of you who have more, use it to help out those with less."
She also challenged me to build relationships with people living in poverty. She asked us to raise our hands if we knew how to cash a check. Then, she asked us to raise our hands if we knew how much the Currency Exchange charged to cash a check. None of us did - it's a different view of life....and when we take the time to get to know people living in poverty, we see a new side of life.
One final question that has no right answer: Are the poor responsible for themselves and others regardless of their capacity (talents, money, family, etc)?