The United States--viewed by the world as the land of plenty, yet every day many American families suffer from poverty. How can this be? How does it affect those in its grip? And, what is the responsibility of the believer in this area of need? In Open Your Hand Wide W.J. Daubney addresses the spiritual roots of poverty explaining why money and programs will never resolve the issue.

Sharing stories from those who live in it each day, Daubney explains why those who are chronically poor can't just "get a job" to solve their problems, how government has supplanted the church as the major caregiver for the poor, and what the average Christian can do to become engaged in caring for these families today. Daubney, the Executive Director of Hope Initiatives in Rochester, New York, addresses poverty issues that he sees each day.

Open Your Hand Wide reflects his own passion and desire for others to understand more about the issue in this compelling message. Providing fresh approaches to ministering to the impoverished, it gives you a sense of urgency to do something that will help others! The book breaks down the six premises of poverty:

• Poverty at its deepest root is a spiritual problem
• Money and programs will never adequately address it
• God does not create poverty but allows it to see our hearts toward the needy
• Poverty will always be a part of our landscape according to Scriptures
• Governments will no longer have the political will or the financial ability to sustain the current social safety net
• The non-believer cannot understand that truths since the darkness cannot comprehend light By understanding these premises and allowing God soften and change your heart, you can open your hand wide toward your neighbors in need.

http://www.christianbook.com/american-poverty-welfare-power-christian-compassion/w-j-daubney/9781935265870/pd/265871

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Author: William J. Daubney
Located in: Kendall, New York
Submitted: February 29, 2012

    Tell us a little about yourself.  I am the Executive Director of Hope Initiatives CDC Inc. and the founder & President of Voices Against Poverty , and of course the author of this book. I have a MA in Social Policy Studies.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  After fifteen years of working in compassion ministry, as a volunteer and then a paid staff member, the Lord impressed upon me the importance of sharing all that He has shown me regarding ministering to those in need. Understanding the truth behind poverty and the role of welfare is critical for the believer, so they can respond accordingly.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  I wrote Open Your Hand Wide, American poverty welfare and the power of Christian Compassion to help the average Christian gain a deeper and richer understanding of these societal ills and how God wants us to allow Him to shape our hearts as we give of ourselves to care for the poor and lost.

    How were you personally impacted by working on this project?  As I interviewed the many persons whose stories appear in this book, I was touched by the fact that these are not stories, but real life.

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  The bible, the Los Angeles Dream Center and the many individuals that I have been privileged to help through our ministry work

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  I never attended seminary and have never worked in a formal church setting but God never forgot the gifts and talents that He gave me. Once I was healed from my own spiritual brokenness, I knew that I could then minister to others. Through my brokenness, God showed me how to care for others in their time of deep need.

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