The Branch

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” There are many who believe that poverty is the root of all social problems. I don’t. I think it’s more like the trunk that connects the roots to the branches. As someone who grew up in absolute poverty, and as one who has served the poor in many different capacities, I simply don’t believe poverty is the root of all evil. The root of all kinds of evil, the Bible says, is the love of money, not the lack of it. It’s true some people lack money because others love it and have found unjust ways to take it from others. I also believe some people remain poor because a lot of well-meaning “do-gooders” make their money serving those who don’t have it. Their intentions are not evil, but the consequences of their deeds sometimes are.