Why So Much God And Poverty?
This will be short.
I just want to ask you a question.
— 0 —
Last week, I had lunch with a wealthy foreigner.
How wealthy? He was earning two million dollars a month. (I’m not kidding.) He was in the Philippines visiting our smaller islands.
“So how did you like your visit?” I asked him.
“I loved it,” he said, “I have never met a more polite, more courteous, nicer people than the Filipinos.”
“Thank you,” I beamed.
But then he frowned. “Bo, I also noticed how religious Filipinos are. I saw the tricycles with signs, saying, “God loves you” and “John 3:16”. There is so much God in your country. And yet there is so much poverty.”
Ouch.
That hurt because it’s so true.
His question reminded me about my visit to Vietnam a month before—and how disturbed I felt.
There’s not much God in that country. It’s been a communist country for decades. But the economy is exploding. And according to statistics, poverty has gone down by a huge 60%! Can you believe that?
One reason: Foreign investments.
Last year, the Philippine’s foreign investments reached a measly $2.5B.
In Vietnam last year, their foreign investments reached $15B.
And do you know what happened this year? From January to July 2008, foreign investments in Vietnam already reached $33B!
Look at China. Another “godless” nation. But poverty has gone down as well. And they’re now poised to be the next Superpower of the world.
Look at Japan. Only 2% of its population is Christian. Many of them don’t even have any religion. Yet their economy has been thriving for decades.
But look at a few South American countries. Like the Philippines, there’s a lot of religion and poverty there too.
So here are my questions:
· Why so much God and poverty in our country?
· Does a certain brand of religion cause poverty?
· Or am I missing something here?
Share me your thoughts below.
Tell me what you think.
Next week, I’ll give you my thoughts.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
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There is so much poverty in our country, thought God is always in our hearts. there reason behind this is that, we always rely on what God can give us. It is very true that we should give everything to God and accept what he can give us in return. The problem is, we don’t do our part to help our selves to find the glory of God. We always waiting for the miracle to happen which reflects the laziness in us.
There is so much poverty in our country, thought God is always in our hearts. the reason behind this is that, we always rely on what God can give us. It is very true that we should give everything to God and accept what he can give us in return. The problem is, we don’t do our part to help our selves to find the glory of God. We always waiting for the miracle to happen which reflects the laziness in us.
God is a cruel God,he allows all this misery in the world. He even allowed His own Son to be crucified. He allowed all this suffering just because Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit,rediculous diba?
Dear Bo,
Religion and Poverty seems to go together because a lot of people are hiding behind the religion for their desperation. they would rather hope than do something. Ithink religion is there to give us hope, YES, but it will not get us anywehre if we do not act on it. Praying , hoping and striving to work to get what we want will help us get to where we want to be. We cannot do it by prayiing and hoping alone.
We have to work to achieve it also!
Hi bo! I remember a phrase in a talk that I heard before: ‘prayer can move mountains, but God needs our hands to move them’. I think this is a very apt description of what we’re supposed to do. A great number of us filipinos pray a lot but just pray. We have to do our part to the best of our abilities and humanly possible, after that, as Cardinal Vidal has always reminded us Cebuanos, leave space for God’s miracle to work in our lives.
Simple:
CORRUPTION, HYPOCRISY & NEPOTISM.
It’s always difficult to understand how bad things happen to good people, but just as many unexplained things on earth.. we can only turn to faith when the answers run out - - - and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it, if anything, I think it’s amazing how Filipinos always find a way to believe in the good, in the the bright side of life amidst the darkest of times. However, I think relying too much on faith, made us the poor country that we are. We often only pray for things we want to happen in our lives and that’s it, we wait. But I don’t think God made us to just ask, wait and receive, He also wants us to work and bear for ourselves the fruits of our labor.
Of course, its not our being religious alone that made us a third world country. There’s our long history of oppression (most South countries were also conquered by foreigners once upon a time) and the mentality that came with it, not so much of the length of time they spent here, has become the formula for the poverty that we know. The never ending corruption in the smallest socio-political systems, and how we allow them to happen as if we want them, got us here.
I think a lot of Filipinos have to understand that the bad happens when the good ones don’t do anything.
from the way i look at things, poverty results from way too much greediness from those who are in positions of power and authority…for example: i just wonder aloud why the Philippine Constitution limits ownership of foreigners, with certain exemptions. why can’t foreigners buy land in the Philippines? why can’t they own and manage their investments 100% if they invest in the Philippines? who would want to invest in the long run if you can’t own and manage your investments (& would even be encouraged to get dummies to run the business for you)? becoz the Constitution limits this. this encourages greediness among those who are in power & have the authority. and this results to poverty, which i think is actually perpetuated by those in power and those who have the authority. this is the same scenario during Jesus’ time in Jerusalem.
Dear Bro Bo,
Yes we are a poor country, very poor in fact. Yes, we are a very religious country. Does poverty has to do with religion? I don’t think so. I think most Filipinos do not know how to pass through poverty. Why? Think of the 300 years we have been under the rule of the Spaniards. We have been brain washed with so many teachings and to live a certain way of life. In summary, we just a bunch of low kind of people, that we are good only to serve, to be abused and to be used. Generations had passed already and we still embrace some of the teachings or old ways. Why? I think, it is hard to let go of the old ways as it has been our escape goat not to achieve a better goal in life and in so doing, we will not be labeled as a “Failure”. Example na lang is the corruption and up to now we are so naïve about corruption. Is God to blame? No, of course not. God’s ways are good.
So much God & poverty in our country? to balance our life. Imagine so much poverty and less or no God at all…that would be worst. Our hope and faith to our God keeps us struggling for life. Poverty is caused by abusing God’s given wealth, all our natural resources, our own knowledge and skills and all others.
Kung mamarapatin mo Bo, ibabahagi ko ang aking pagninilay-nilay gamit ang wikang Filipino. Nagtuturo ako ng wikang Filipino sa mga nasa unang taon sa kolehiyo. Tatlo ang layunin ng aming kurso: makita ang kagandahan at kahalagahan ng wikang Filipino, makapagsulat at makapagsalita nang maayos sa wikang Filipino, at makapagbasa ng ilang piling panitikan sa wikang Filipino. Matatapos na kami sa unang bahagi ng kurso, at heto ang ilang nakabibiglang bagay na nakita namin sa klase:
1. Malaki ang kaugnayan ng wika at kultura. Hindi natin puwedeng pairalin ang kulturang pinoy hangga’t wikang Ingles ang pinamamayagpag natin. Kulturang Amerikano ang dala-dala ng wikang Ingles.
2. Malaki ang kaugnayan ng wika-kultura at ekonomikong pag-unlad. May “kapangyarihan ang wika”. Bakit Amerika ang pinakamakangyarihang bansa ngayon? Dahil mayroon silang pagtatangi sa sarili nilang kultura at wika. At sinumang bansa na nagtatangi sa sarili munang kultura at wika ang magiging makapangyarihan, magiging maunlad. Ang bansang Tsina! Ang bansang Vietnam! Ang bansang Thailand! Ang bansang South Korea! Ganoon kalakas ang pagtatangkilik nila sa kani-kanilang kultura at wika! Kakatapos lamang ng Beijing Olympics at kahanga-hanga ang mga Tsino, hindi ba Bo? Ang talumpati ng Chinese President, ang panunumpa ng mga atleta at opisyal–lahat nasa wikang Intsik! Oo nga’t ginagamit ang Ingles at iba pang wika, pero inuunang gamitin ang wikang Intsik! Bakit kaya? Isang dahilang nakikita ko ay, mayroong “yabang” (positibong pakahulugan) ang mga Intsik sa sarili nilang wika at kultura. Palagay ko, hahangaan ka ng buong mundo kung mayroon kang sariling kultura at wika, at hindi mo ito ikinahihiya. Pumunta ka Bo sa Vietnam, South Korea, at Thailand at lahat ng karatula sa mga gusali at lansangan at lahat ng kanilang bigating dyaryo ay nasa kani-kanilang wika! E dito sa atin, “Nasa Pilipinas ba tayo???” Maitatanong ng ilan: “E bakit ngayon, nagkukumahog na silang mag-aral ng Ingles?” Hindi naman pag-aaral ng Ingles ang punto. Ang punto ay: magkaroon muna tayo ng sariling kultura at wika, at itangi ito, tapos, sumabay na tayo sa mundo, mag-aral ng Ingles!” Kaso, hindi ganyan ang nangyayari sa Pilipinas. Kaya naiwan na tayo ng ibang bansa.
3. Malaki ang kaugnayan ng wika-kultura at antas ng edukasyon. Ayon sa mga pananaliksik, kulelet tayo sa mga pandaigdigang pagsusulit sa agham at matematika bagaman Ingles ang wika ng ating edukasyon at sa Ingles sinagutan ang pagsusulit. Subalit hindi Ingles ang wika ng edukasyon ng mga bansang nanguna sa pagsusulit at hindi nila sa Ingles kinuha ang pagsusulit kundi sa sarili nilang wika. Huh? Kakagulat, hindi ba? Sa palagay ko, hindi lahat ng pinoy ay dapat mag-aral ng Ingles upang umunlad. Pumili lang dapat ang gobyerno ng ilan at sila ang ipadala sa ibang bansang Ingles ang wika. Matapos iyon, pabalikin at gamitin dito sa Pinas ang natutuhan sa ibang bansa. Habang tayo na naiwan, pinagyayabong at pinagyayaman natin ang sariling kultura at wika.
Pasensiya ka na Bo sa mahabang lektyur. Hehehe! Alam kong hindi ko pa rin nasasagot nang tuwiran kung bakit sa isang bansang “amoy-kandila” ay laganap pa rin ang kahirapan. Siguro dahil ang mismong kandilang ginagamit gusto nating gawa o galing sa ibang bansa. Mas dinidiyos natin ang ibang kultura at bansa. Nangangarap parin ang ilan sa atin na maging Amerikano. Siguro dahil malala ang korupsyon. Siguro “damaged culture” nga tayo, ayon kay James Fallows. Siguro ang klase ng pagka-Katoliko na nakuha natin ay masyadong nagtutuon sa ritwal, sa mga prusisyon at damit ng mga santo at santa, sa mga nobena. Siguro kulang pa sa pagsasabuhay. Pero sa palagay ko, puwede tayong magsimula sa wika at kultura. Bakit ba nang maging tao ang Diyos, hindi Ingles ang ginamit Niyang wika kundi ang wika ng ordinaryong Israelita?
Pagpalain ka ng Diyos Bo!
It’s obvious nations that has been conquered by Spain are not economically competitive look at Mexico considering NAFTA agreement they are still struggling. The rich become richer and poor become poorer. When the conquerors saw that natives are tied to supernatural beliefs and there laws are governed by the movement of the nature they used these to pacify and control the people. Instead of setting us free from our old beliefs they manipulated through the use of religion. Why not we bend the rules, pray to thanks God and work hard for our country. Rely on God for your spiritually needs and used the talents that He gave to something more useful and productive. Pero, nasa UGALI lang talaga ang lahat…minsan pag may mabigat na problema tatakasan, yung iba naman aasa pag may aasahan at yung iba naman alam na ngang magiging problema pasok pa rin…ang higit sa lahat ay yung mahilig makaisa at makalibre, yung maraming bisyo…yung pa ang sikat…tsk…tsk.. GOD BLESS ….LORD BAHALA NA KAYO SA PINAS!
i agree with them dahil sa kahirapan.. we tend to just hope and fully rely on God without even doing our own part, our own simple task.. but do we also observed that we are also one of the happy people all over the world.. it’s because we have this happy disposition in life which is undeniably brought to us by our faith.. by always reminding us that God loves us, despite how problematic we are, we still manage to smile and enjoy what is offered to us..
‘IF YOU ARE BORN POOR IS NOT YOUR MISTAKE BUT IF YOU DIE POOR IT WAS YOUR BIG MISTAKE’.
PRAY, BELIEVE, WORK HARD, ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR WISELY AND SHARE THE BLESSINGS TO OTHERS.
LOVE LOVE LOVE AND LOVE
i have to asked a friend (born again Christian) regarding your question and we have a different view/answer to your question.. I think the problem of our country is not at all related to religion. Even if we are a deeply religious person who prays to the Lord to give us a job so we can support our family, it is still up to the present leaders to provide us job oppurtunity and improve our economy. .. But my friend offer a different views… He said everything that is happening is God’s will. Whoever is leading our country, it is becuase of the will of our Lord and if it is not yet time for us to prosper, we could not do anything about it. It is God’s plan.
For me, here are the reasons why there is so much God and poverty in our country.
1. “Bahala Na” attitude of the most of the filipinos. Madalas banggitin to ng mga kababayan natin lalo na sa panahon ng kahirapan. Yung tipong ipinapasa-Diyos na lang nila ang lahat. Pero ang masakit, wala naman tau ginagawang paraan para maka-ahon, sa halip umaasa na lang tau sa swerte ng buhay. Maganda halimbawa nito ay ang pagtangkilik ng mga kababayan natin sa Lotto.
2. Corrupt Government - Masakit man tanggapin na kahit Catholic Country tau eh, marami naman ang mga magnanakaw na pinuno dito sa ating bansa. Mas nauuna pa nilang patabain ang mga bulsa nila sa halip ng tulungan ang mahihirap. Kung umiisip lang sana sila ng paraan kung paano mabibigyan ng hanapbuhay ang mga tambay, sa halip na mangurakot sa kaban ng bayan, edi sanay wala ng magugutom.
3. Nasa Diyos ang AWA, nasa tao ang NGAWA - Sana lahat ng tao iniisip kung ano ang magagawa nila sa bayan, hindi ang magagawa ng bayan para sa kanila.
4. Poor Education - “15 taon ka lang mag-aaral, ngunit ang kapalit nito ay 50 taong kahirapan…” from the book Macarthur by Bob Ong
Hello Bro Bo,
Actually i have that same question before coz it seemed like there is no improvement in our country and that is the main reason why we have decided to migrate because we would like to secure the future of our children. If times were like before when we were small..when life is so simple..no corruption..no terrorism..the economy was doing just okay..i dont remember my grandma saying..’ang mahal ng bilihin’..unlike now..i say that over and over again..hardly you can buy anything within what you can. And the parents have more time for their children because they dont have to work so many hours a day to make ends meet. And i think people before think more positive and they have faith in themselves that they can do it..at the same time they look up to God. Unlike now..its not going to be easy to stay thinking positive because of what we see and what is happening in our country. I think other countries are flourishing now because they have learned to believe in what they can do and what they can offer because they are sure that they can make it happen..and that is faith..even if they dont have the same kind of religion we have. I think we have lost that faith in ourselves because we get frustrated at trying to continue doing good for others. No matter how hard we try..things are the same. People are less generous now coz they are more afraid of their tomorrows than helping other people..there are less opportunities for people who are not educated coz the expectations now are higher than before..that is why more people are poor..no one hires uneducated people..no one gives them a chance..to give them hope that life is going to be good for them..that they can eat and live like a human being. Maybe in other countries even if they dont pray..they dont belittle the poor instead they give them opportunites..the rich are equal with the poor..that makes sense actually coz we are all humans..we should not be different from the poor. And also there are less good models around here..most people do the dirty stuff and its just the domino effect. Maybe if we start treating one poor person equal with us..it will be a domino effect. And soon and hopefully people will not be so divided..not so different from one another..no more so called the poor. Instead..we hel;p them so there will be no more poverty..and they will see that God is real because we act in behalf of God..we give hope to the poor so they will see God. Maybe that is why there are many poor people in our country..people are just praying and being religious but not really doing what Jesus is teaching..the poor is the reminder that there is GOd..God is with the poor. The poor reminds us to become humble..to become generous and not selfish. The poor reminds us that God is love..when we help the poor we see God’s love. Maybe that is why there are more poor people now coz we are lacking in God’s love..we dont show God’s love enough to the poor. Maybe if we do one act of random kindness to them..more and more people will be uplifted.
It has nothing to do with religion. Yes, we love God but we don’t love our country.
Personally, I don’t think there’s really a connection between religion and politics. I don’t even agree with the idea that the church and state coexists. Why? Because I think there are too many views within a religion — any religion — to allow religion to dictate politics or government.
The thing is, we tend to “jump to conclusions” when it comes to our country’s poverty. In my opinion, there’s no connection between God and poverty. I hate to be the bearer of bad news to those who believe this but the causes of poverty are economic issues, unemployment, population grown, governance concerns and security problems. There is poverty in the Philippines because these issues deprive us to improve economically.
Religion is made to be lived, not to be legislated. Religious choices should be engaged freely. It’s a personal thing. More importantly, religion itself does not and should not affect politics. Let us remember that it is the official we elect who affects politics.
I believe all your comments are true.
I believe poverty in the Philippines has nothing to do with our religion. Its the Filipino mentality (most of which were through Spanish influence): indolence, pride, enviousness, makasarili ang mga Filipinos, in short wala tayong pagmamahal sa ating kapwa at sa ating bansa.
The corrupt bring out Philippine resources outside the country and put them in either Swiss banks or other banks abroad. Yung mga nagbabank run, tinatangay na ang pera sa labas ng Pilipinas. Most of us don’t care what happens to others basta importante sa kanila sila meron.
Marami sa atin plastic, panlabas lang ang kabaitan.
Isang example lang, I know a Filipino businessman who employs more than a hundred. His family prays the rosary everyday, hears mass every Sunday, etc. But they don’t remit their employees SSS. They deduct SSS from them but don’t remit them to SSS.
Marami akong killalang taong simbahan ang mapanira ng kapwa nila at mahilig sa tsismis. Hindi nagpapasweldo at nagmamaltrato ng kasambahay, etc. Marami kasi sa kanila walang ibang ginagawa kaya yung tsismis ang kinacareer nila. These are just some of the things kaya di tayo umaasenso - Cindy
Hi Bo!
Peace be with you
Yes bro philippine when we look around we could notice that our faith in God is so much and yet proverty is also so high. God is so good that he loves us so much. Remember faith is tested most during trials. If we do not have trials in our life we could not measure our faithfullness to our Lord God. We can all see that we Fiipinos has more faith in our Lord God than the Americans, Japanese, Vietnamise etc.. Being in the first world is never a measure of our faithfullness in our Lord. As we can see in our Bible, most or almost all of our saints suffers and went in deep trials. We Filipinos are in deep trials but in the eyes of God we gain VICTORY for most the the filipinos are the living evangeliser of God.
God bless you Bo!
hi bo,
I THINK…
CORRUPTION SA GOBYERNO & SELFISHNESS NG MGA KAPWA KONG PILIPINO. HINDI NAMAN TALAGA TAYO NAGKAKAISA.
RELIHIYOSO LANG SA PANGLABAS, MALAYO NAMAN SA DIOS ANG PUSO.
We need a change of heart. May God have mercy on us.
i think it’s because many of us have an inadequate concept of faith. many tend to think that to be religious or Christian has nothing to do with the way we function as professionals, public servants, businessmen, etc.
we see corruption in all levels of society, from the big people in government to the small sari sari stores; from the simple taking home of office and school supplies to the stealing of tax monies.
if only we take our faith seriously, conscientiously and in its entirety.. if only we think of our faith as the beacon to guide our being politicians, businessmen, teachers, tricycle drivers, maids, etc.. if only we make BEING JUST tempered by Christ’s mercy a part of our daily life, then i believe we will see more justice in all levels of our life as a nation.
I do not think that there is a certain brand of religion for a country to be rich or progressive. The people need to practice what they believe in. This, I think what we (Filipinos) lack…To practice our religion…to live what we believe in….Maybe if all those in authority and we (the common people) will do what is right and what is good for our country…Then maybe we will be experiencing a “MIRACLE”. Everyday, God gives us opportunities to make this MIRACLE happen….It is within our reach…it is up to us to make a difference…It’s very difficult to do good when you are surrounded with corruption, lies, greediness, selfishness but if you know where you want to go….then God will be there to help us to continue going…..though poor, we are still lucky for we know we still have something to hold on to…..THERE’S STILL HOPE…….There is still GOD……..
Still Needs the Bread
I work in an NGO for many years and have seen pinpricks of progress.. combining what the other NGOs are doing, I believe one day we can close the gap between the rich and the poor.
But there are days when that day seems far away.
We need to equip the poor with:
1) empowering thoughts and values
2) access to education and basic needs
3) access to microfinance or other financial services.
Whether the church impedes the delivery of the above or not, is not clear. But I definitely know the Catholic church does not actively promote financial literacy. One can argue that “leave to ceasar what is ceasar’s” and this justifies the church’s passivity toward economic concerns.
However, as a shepherd, the church should join hands with other organizations in prodding the sheep towards that stream of wealth. Man does not live by bread alone.. so it means man needs the bread AND spiritual food as well.
God and Poverty.. God did not cause people to be poor. God did not cause all the hardships. People did.. God gave us a world with all the resources that we can use. Then, He gave us free wil. It is our decision how we lead and live our lives.. We cannot say that poverty is caused by God. We chose it when we chose to be lazy. Why do we quickly say that when something goes terribly wrong, God caused it. and when something goes right, we forget about God.
Peace to you!
Regarding your question, i think somehow it is connected to our culture. How was our culture formed? Going back to history, the Philippines have been invaded by many other cultures, including the Spaniards who thankfully brought the good news of Christianity to us. Many things have been forced upon on us, and we only learned to adjust. One thing i noticed though (and i may be wrong too) that we are a predominantly co-dependent society as compared to other nations wherein independency is upheld in the homes.
Generally, our students leave home only after graduation and when they get a job or even worse, they stay in the family home even after marriage. They remain dependent.
In other nations though, it is common for students to take junior positions even while they are in high school as part time work. They leave home as early as they can afford a monthly rental. I guess many factors contribute to this like many opportunities, govt programs, stricter auditing in the govt etc.
I too have wondered what you have.
Isnt it in the scriptures that God desires the prosperity of His servants? What about the promise in Deuteronomy that we will always be the ‘head’ and not the tail? And others will borrow from us and not the other way around?
Personally in the past, i had a lot of misconceptions about God and money, and verbally confessing negative phases as in scarcity mentality. Id have to thank you Bro Bo for your articles on this topic, it is a light in the dark. It opened up a lot of hurts from my past that hindered me, and unconsciously prevent me from becoming ‘truly rich’, and now i can deal with them head on. I also realize i needs a lot more of ‘renewal of the mind’ and constant memorization and acting on the promises in the Word. Stepping out in faith.
IMHO, i do not believe it is Gods will for us people to suffer, but Jesus did warn those who would follow Him would encounter a certain kind of suffering, for ‘no student is greater than his master’: if the world hated Him they will also hate us. Also sometimes the Fatherly discipline may be mistaken as suffering - i just think our character is being formed!
Though i bear in mind that ‘His plans for us are for our prosperity and not for our poverty’ in Jeremiah!
But sometimes he permits suffering for a better good to come.
God loves us as we are, yet too much to let us remain this way in our fallen nature.
I found a very inspiring video about God’s never ending love for you and me. And it made me weep. May it bless you all too
http://www.lookingforgod.com/?p=the_fathers_love_letter
bo,
i still take pride in the Philippines having so much “God” in this country and i feel bless as well that despite immense poverty, we still cling on to God… what with Churches looming with throngs of people in sunday masses and patronal feasts and other church events. i guess, seeing people believe in the Almighty God despite pain and tribulation is a miracle itself and indeed a gift because not all people can find solace in God in times of sorrow because they would think that God is cruel… when in fact, He is not.
this country is poor because while we pride ourselves to be a catholic nation, we fail to act and deal with others and with our own lives, the christian way. because if we truly are followers of Christ, then there should be no corruption, greed, power-grabbing, laziness, passivilty, indifference and others that cause us to be poor.
take note, a faith without action is like a fish without water.
and for those who are in power, and who continuously marginalized the marginalize because of greed, remember that this world will only be a better place if the POWER OF LOVE can overcome your LOVE OF POWER.
yes great quest
why so much God and poverty in the phil.
then compare to those godless countries
they conquered poverties… why?
as the highest dignity we ever had in this planet on
the title of the image and likeness of God
and our dominion over all the earth
maybe we failed to realized the
great responsibilities on this matter…
and our tremendous disciplines among our spirits &
the spirit within… religion had been in our DNA
since the creation but the original sin
still clings to us as the distortions of our true image as man
and this maybe we can recollect often as we can to
regain our highest dignity. we have all christ-ian leaders all over the land yet we can always judge them as the cause of all despairs caused of poverty simply by their irresponsible undisciplined actions. maybe we can ask that rich man is he really happy to earn $2million a month or we can ask the leaders of this country are they happy to destroy all the treasures of this country? of course we cannot blame religion.. actually we should always thank God for all this sufferings. it’s just a matter of faith and hope and love. and we continue to pray for our distorted images of god in our leaders. many times we miss true richness! we can see God in poverty so let’s praise Him. is development or wealth or conquering poverty true joy? is poverty true sorrows? is vietnam and china truly develop or even free? so how can we conquer poverty? simply restore our highest dignity as hu-man as loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, strength,,, mind, word and actions.. this we miss, then we are the most poor of all the poors of the earth even you live in the future of the earth as they called developments!!! but of course justice is there it’s just a matter of faith also. this is the reality science and religion
Dear Bo,
I too share the same question. But to share my thoughts on the questions asked, here are my views:
1. Majority of us find it hard to put in practice what we preach. We leave everything behind us, e.g. in the church, seminar room, adoration chapel, etc. or in all places where we speak to God for help and guidance. When we are in contact with the real world such as our family, workplace, school, riding a bus or elsewhere, where there is an encounter not with our God but with the real people in our everyday lives, what we do is we forget God. We do our own thing such as those that are within our comfort zone. I will not isolate myself on this experience. Because, I too find it hard to see God in all people I am in contact with. So I do my own thing to the point of sinning. Anyway, later on, i will pray to God and ask amends with whatever weaknesses I succomb with within the day.
Greetings!
God said “Love your Neighbor (Poor)” & “Love One Another As I have Loved You”. Loving is not only for our Family, Friends, Girlfriends or Boyfriends but specially to the poor. If there’s no poverty we might don’t know or learn how to give & share our blessings that we received or we might either don’t feel the true meaning of Love that God wanted to us or we might even don’t care to pray if there’s no poverty.
Since the world began God allows poverty for us to Love, to give & to Pray. Loving the poor is to Love God.
God bless us all!
poor financially yes but there is so much hope…lalo na kung dumami pa ang mga taong mas bukas magbigay kaysa humingi…mas bukas sumagot kaysa magtanong lang nang magtanong…thank you po sa mga taong tulad mo…at ng buong kerygma…patuloy ang reminder sa akin na ang ating DIYOS ay walang katulad sa biyaya at pagpapala
Filipinos don’t love their country.
every comment written here all make sense.
i feel that Filipinos live a dual life…meaning we tend to become very pious and religious..we never miss mass..pray countless times a day..but it just ends there.
We isolate our daily lives from our religious lives..which should not be the case at all.
If we stop being hypocrites and practice what our faith tells us..then i think this country would be better off.
So many people migrate to other nations because of the seemingly unending poverty our nation has succumbed into for the past many years.
I think this has nothing to do with any Spanish influence..because to my knowledge Spain right now is a very prosperous country..I think that a total makeover of ourselves from within is what needs to be done…if we want to improve our way of life.
And also good leaders of the country..replace those who are self serving and corrupt….
If we dont do anything about this…it will turn out to be a CULTURE of poverty many centuries from now.
For me, as i have traveled to most asian counties like vietnam, china, japan, indonesia, thailand, etc.
it’s simple, the answer is “D I S C I P L I N E”
whether religious or not, rich or poor, educated or not.
Dear Bo,
This is a very good question and it can create so many answers. But the thing is, we should not relate God with riches. If a nation becomes rich and as you said the primary reason is foreign investments, it is not God doing, it is because of the situation existing in that country which includes, peace and order, less corruption among others.
This is my personal point of view, I think God has given us the power to choose what we want and HE or THEY up there somewhere, does or do not have control on what we should and what we are doing. If we get rich or we remain poor that is because of our own doing.
And this the clincher, the Philippines will remain the “sick man of Asia” for as long as our politicians will remain the same corrupt, disorganized, self centered individuals as they are.
Could it be that our faith is not ratified by our life?
Why are we, Filipinos, poor despite our “closeness” to God?
>We have a poor man’s mindset.
>We are so attached to many things that will not make us financially free.
>We don’t have a paradigm that would change our attitude towards money.
>We need enlightened people to show us and lead us the way.
>We need to ask God to give us this grace. Not a dole out richness but a wise usage of our talents to bring us to the first world category.
Hi Bro Bo,
As i read the comments in your article and reflect on every words, I came to realize that the easiest way to do is to really blame either God, the government, our history in our country’s poverty.
But how about blaming yourself? myself?
I belong to a christian community, and have been serving for 5 years.
I used to live in poverty, no food to eat (yet we have our house) no money to give education for my siblings, my parents are separated… Everyday struggling and fighting to survive.
But that was way back then…
Till I met my community but more importantly God! All along i thought it was God’s plan for me to be poor, but then He made me realized that it is not his plan for me, and he actually have a great plan for my life and my family and to his people (Jeremiah 29:11).
My journey of knowing God did not come as easy as I thought it would, but God is true to his words and promises. As I work to grow in faith and in love with God, I have learned that escape to poverty lies in my hand, not to the government, not to the foreign investor, but only to myself through the help of God. I studied the words of God, and he also lead me to study about business, let those who do not labor, not eat.. But above all He made me realize that you can only be set out to true poverty only if you work to be blessed to become a blessing to other people. Because it was his commandment to love our neighbor and our neighbor is anyone who we find is in need of help.
I could not say that I am rich according to the world’s standard, but I can boldly say that I am blessed because I have a great provider who is using me to also provide for my brethren.
Faith without action is dead! Our great King have set a great plan for all of us. But then the choice is in our hand we can choose to be poor and live poor forever or choose to work and find the richness God has set for all of us.
God was never cruel! He is a God whose love is unconditional and boundless, but Satan was cruel making us believe that we have a God who do not love.
It is not where we live, but where our hearts lies.
God bless you and our country!
simply because most of Filipinos keep on blaming everybody but him/herself…plus , majority are UNDISCIPLINED and with crab mentality.
Money begets money (or economy begets economy)
Love begets love
As an individual…It’s what’s in the heart…that matters…
I was born and raised poor. When I grew up and finished my college with colorful grades due to my average IQ I work hard, use and invest my money wisely, enjoy the fruits of my labor and share the blessings to others.
I DID NOT BLAME THE GOVERNMENT OR ANYBODY BECAUSE I WAS BORN AND RAISED POOR BUT I DID NOT AGREE TO BE A POOR. THAT IS MY CHOICE NOT TO LIVE POOR.
Now my family and I live comfortably above average.
We Filipinos rely on our faith so much that we don’t stretch our physical muscles as much as we do our spiritual muscle. We rely so much on our faith which is good but we tend to be so complacent leaving most of the work to God. Proper motivation which starts from the family and with the help of the school and church will make a difference in our country. We parents should do our job in instilling to our children the value of hard work complemented by love for God for the next generation to enjoy. We continue to pray, we continue to hope.
because we dnt prtce wat we preach
we simply dont live with d christian world
we live with the other side
we tend to forgt dat reality n religious aspct shud go togthr
We were given free will, to choose what we want.
What we are now is just a result of…..What we are doing?
Hi All,
I guess… it is because the Catholic Church failed to “walk the talk” on poverty issues.
How can anyone fathom the fact that the Catholic Church could own millions and millions of assets and still be called “the Church of the Poor”?
What happened to the volumes of encyclicals written about the poor? …And looking at the grandiose cathedrals and shrines.
What must a poor man feel if he sees his own parish priest driving the latest and sometimes unnecessarilly expensive cars?
I don’t mean to undermine the Catholic Church, but being Catholic, and most are still ‘traditional’ in this regard, I think our Bishops and Parish Priests should begin living simpler lives, giving up their “extravagance” and empower the poor.
Or simply put… our Clergy should be in the forefront of Gawad Kalinga, side by side our soldiers who are themselves poor, in a sense.
[These are just my thoughts. May God be paised!]
Most Filipinos have a mis-guided belief or feeling of ENTITLEMENT… We feel that we are automatically entitled to God’s blessings after we have prayed. We forget that we have to do our part in order for more blessings to come… Furthermore, when blessings do come abundantly to us & our family, we again feel that it is our entitlement. We reluctantly share it with others & forget that we should also be acting as channels of God’s blessings for others… Maybe, when we cease to feel being entitled, we will then seek God’s blessings more fervently both through our faith & our actions… Maybe, when we cease to see our blessings as our entitlement, then we will be able to share it more with others who are more needy than us. People in power will then serve. People who are served will have power to help themselves. This cycle will continue until we see poverty is not from God but from people who refuses to do God’s will.
In my opinion, it is still a blessings being a filipino, we have so much faith in God that is why even in poverty we are happy and contented. Through our poverty, God’s hands will work in us.
POVERTY is a CHOICE and the worst part is that it is the result of various factors, some of which are selfishness, ingratitude, unbelief, and pride. I believe that POOR people only have POVERTY in their minds and those who have criteria in distinguishing who is poor and who is not only have those criteria of POVERTY in their minds.
POVERTY being a choice must not be blamed to religions, governments, economy, or whatsoever. It is an individual effort. POVERTY must and can only be defined a person who recognizes and dwells with this idea.
I suggest that we deal on abundance and look at POVERTY as not the state of being poor, but a condition that deserves and requires spiritual, financial, and intellectual improvement.
It’s nice to know that we have all the resources that we need. Perhaps, we are just too shy or our pride hinders us from asking advice and making the first step to abundance. Besides, money isn’t the only standard. HAPPINESS and PEACE also makes abundance really abundant.
blame ourselves, most of us filipinos doesn\’t have sense of nationalism, idealism & discipline, hypocrisy and corruption remains among filipinos behaviour.
TRUST is one of the reason why we never grow economically. Why did I say that trust is one of the reason why we are not economically rich? Vietnam, Japan and China are economically growing not because they have lesser beliefs nor they have no religions but because they have TRUST with what they are doing. Investors are investing their money because they trust that country and its people. Religion is not the reason why we are still poor. Its nothing to do with it. Did God command us to be poor? Of course not. He commanded us to be rich and share that richness with each other. The reason why HE created us because HE wants us to enjoy the richness of HIS creation.
However, since we have lost each others TRUST. We never grow. Our religion taught us that if you are poor then you are blessed. Of course, we are blessed but it doesn’t mean that we need to be poor to be blessed. We lost TRUST in our government because that government betrayed us once - then we never TRUST that government again. We keep on looking faults instead of providing help.
Vietnam is growing not because they don’t have beliefs nor religion. China is growing not because this country is run by the communist or Japan is growing not because their people do not believe in God anymore.
Most of the time, as individuals, we do have our own God. But though, it really disappointing that we sometimes lost that personal God and replace it with worldly or material God.
NOW, do I still believe that Religion is one of the reason why we are poor? NO. Religion is composed of individuals that believe of a “higher BEING”, though not the exact meaning, but what makes us poor is the teaching behind those religions.
MONEY is the root cause of all evil. Of course not, it depends on the person on how he will spend that money. Or it depends if the person really needs money then that is the time he causes to do evil.
Anyway, we all have our own ideas and beliefs when it comes to being poor. But let us always remember that God doesn’t want us to be poor. HE wants to be rich.
We should start trusting each other again. GOD bless us all!
Kahit na gano pa kadami ung mga masamang tao.. kung siguro tayong mga tao na alam kung ano ung tama ay marunong manindigan. matatalo’t-matatalo natin yang mga bad na yan. Sana panindigan natin na tayo ay mabuting tao kahit sa gitna ng kahirapan or kagipitan.
Sa tingin ko yun lang ung kulang natin. Paninindigan.
Sana kahit anong mangyari manatili ung panindigan ng pagtitiwala at pagmamahal natin sa Diyos. =)
Like what ive learned from your talks, we have misconception when it comes to money. We have lots of resources in our country but we don’t know how to use it. Most of us are contented of what we have, yong naka gisnan natin ay nakapako na tayo dun. HINDI NATIN ALAM ANG PURPOSE NATIN DITO SA MUNDO! KAILANGAN NATING MAGPAYAMAN HINDI PARA SA ATIN LANG KUNGDI PARA SA MGA TAONG NANGANGAILANGAN! PERO HINDI DOLE OUT ANG PAGTULONG KUNGDI YONG PANGMATAGALAN. kAILANGAN NATING TURUAN DIN SILA NA MAGING MAYAMAN! WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR ATTITUDE! AND TEACH OUR CHILDREN! ITS NOT YET TOO LATE FOR US TO CHANGE SINCE GOD IS THERE TO GUIDE US!
may responsibility ang church to help the poor… sa homily kc ang sinasabi “let us share our blessings, help the poor, etc.” pero kulang yung pagtulong ng church. kc diba dapat di lng natin sila bigyan ng fish but teach them how to fish…
and our population growth plays a big role sa economic crisis. the church does not support contraceptives, understandable naman yung stand nila sa issue na ito. pero the church does not promote responsible parenthood… mag anak lng ng kayang buhayin. karamihan kc ng couples, feeling nila kasalanan mag pa ligate o mg resort to artificial family planing. eh bakit? ang church ba bubuhay ng mga anak nila? couple’s choice na ito. para sa akin, mas kasalanan sa dios kung di natin mapalaki ng maayos ang ating mga anak.
kulang talaga sa education at discipline. since influencial ang church sa buhay ng pinoy, sana mas i-promote ang pag pagsasabuhay ng values na tinuro ni jesus sa atin…
agree ako dun sa nasa dios ang awa na tao ang gawa… we must not wait for miracles to happen in our lives, we must do something to experience that miracle…
Hi Bro Bo!
So much God and Poverty. . . . .
Maybe because in times of suffering we see God, we believe in God and faith becomes more stronger because we have nothing to hold on to but to God and we start to see & appreciate the graces of God. By the time we have risen from our poverty,(which I dearly hope & pray for our children’s future) we can humbly say ” it is by God’s grace and compassion” not just of our own doing.
Poverty will always be there, I think that’s a reality. To lessen it is more realistic than eliminating it.
I hope next the next time you’ll have a lunch with this wealthy foreigner, he’ll say ” Wow Bo, the Pilipinos have so much God and less poverty.”
God Bless!!!!
so much God so much poverty maybe because of so much faith people are satisfied what they have even for a ittle things.. or money they have.. thats why even they experience poverty they are contented as long they have a good communication with God, because usually when they get intouched to the worldly needs they tend to forget God,,. thats why they prefer to live a simple life.
Brother Bo,
Peace be with you and to our country.
Gusto ko sana sumulat in English para mapabilis at mapa maikli ang sulat pero tama si Mr. Ted sa komento niya,siguro kelangan kong sanayin ang sarili kong magtagalog at tangkilikin ang ating sariling wika and eventually ang ating bansa.
Lahat ng komento na nabasa ko dito ay may punto at tama.
Ang tanong Brother Bo, ano ang dapat nating gawin?
Pano natin ipaabot sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino sa ating bansa na napag usapan natin ang tungkol dito,ang tungkol sa pinuprublema natin at ang mga komento natin at ang solusyun.
Oo, tama lahat ang mga komento at ideya pero iilan lang ba kami na napaalalahanan,nag-aalala at concern sa sitwasyun sa Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng mga blogs mo.
Atleast kami na nakakatanggap ng blogs mo ay aware na sa dapat naming gawin upang makatulong sa ating kapwa Pilipino.
Kelangan natin ipaabot ang bagay na to sa sambayanang Pilipino pero paano?
Sana Brother Bo mapalapit din sayo ang lahat ng mga politiko ng Pilipinas upang mapadalhan mo din sila ng blogs mo at mabasa ang mga komento ng mga tao upang matamaan sila at baka sakaling magising silang lahat at magbago na.
At sana maimpluwencyahan mo din sila dahil sila ang makakaahon ng bansa natin dahil sila ang nangungurakot ng yaman ng Pilipinas.
Umaasa kami sa inyo Brother Bo.
Importanteng tao ka sa sambayang Pilipino dahil may boses ka at papakinggan ka at umaasa kami na mapaabot mo sa lahat nating mga politiko sa Pinas at lalu na sa ating Presidente.
Sana ikaw nalang ang mag Presidente Brother Bo dahil may sapat ka naman na kaalaman para mapaunlad ang ating bayan at madami ka din contacts na maaaring makatulong sa pag unlad nating lahat at marami kaming nagmamahal at susuporta syo at nakikinig sayo.
May you be the instrument and catalyst to make Philippines back to the normal peaceful and progressive country.
God bless us all…
How ironic right? We Filipinos believe in God — from our small religious acts of doing the sign of the cross to our very grandiose fiestas and celebrations. However, most of our fellowmen are thrown deep into poverty. Ironic I say because our God is a very generous God. He is a God of more than enough! He is our Jehovah Jireh. Since we are His sons and daughters, we also inherit His riches and power.
I believe our country is in this situation because of several reasons.
One is that we don’t ACT on our dreams. We have this mentality to take things as it comes and NOT making things happen.
Another reason is our misguided concept of wealth. We want to be rich but we just limit ourselves to what we THINK we should have.
I pray that every Filipino would believe that God wants us to prosper and that we would live an abundant life. Not just for personal reasons but to take on the higher call to be a BLESSING to others.
simply because we tend to blame any circumstances to others such as your friend your spouse your neighbor your boss even to God but not ourselves. slowly we should be able to learn that in almost every aspect in our lives it is in our action or inaction that we are put in such a circumstance. blame not others but ourselves. own up to it correct what is there to correct and then move on don’t dwell on the fault don’t always say God is punishing you continously acknowledge that you are wrong then do something about it. Move up and Grow up
God does not give test/trials to those he loves if He knows the graces he gives them is not sufficient enough to get them through.
In communism or a country like China or Vietnam, only a handful have been blessed to know that God teaches us that one of the greatest experiences is to help out those who are in need.
God has put the Filipino people in this situation because he knows the Filipinos will help out one another.
I’m not making sense again.
I have been to Vietnam and Indonesia recently and i must say that i totally agree with Bo when he noted how progressive these countries have become compared to ours. When i first stayed in those countries, i found this hard to accept — I somehow always thought that we are ahead of our neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region but guess what? Ngayon ko lang narealize na halos kulelat na pala tayo.
Airport pa lang, you can already see the difference. There are a lot of tourists, even in the remote villages. And what has tourism contributed to their nation? Imagine this: The locals have stopped dynamite fishing and throwing garbage in the ocean for instance, dahil ito ang dinadayo ng turista sa kanila. Divers from all over the world flock to one tiny island in the Sulu Sea to marvel at the richness of marine life in that area of the world — but they will only go to the Malaysian or Indonesian-part of the Sulu Sea because that is where THEY FEEL SAFE. Who’s benefited from this? Their locals.
As the locals adapt to the recent development in their area (e.g. those who can speak English well like teachers or even fishermen work part-time as tour guides while those who make “arak” or the local wine in their backyard place their products along the streets for selling, etc.) they create new jobs for themselves, which could guarantee a sustainable development in the future. They are taking small but steady steps to progress.
The issue of religion is yet another thing — we may think that Indonesia and Malaysia are both predominantly-Muslim countries but what most of us don’t know is that in those places NOW, people from differing religions co-exist peacefully (maybe it wasn’t the case decades ago, but that’s how things are now)!
Baka minsan nauunahan na tayo ng yabang… sana naman magising na tayo sa katotohanan at simulan na nating pahalagahan ang bansa natin. Nakakalungkot na iilang tao lang ang nagmamalasakit. Hindi kaya ng iilan lang ang pagbabago. Kailangan lahat tayo.
Dapat ang simbahan baguhin yung masamang ugali ng Pilipino hindi yung pagsama sa rally o pag sali sa politika. Dapat sila yung gumawa ng paraan na ang mga salita ng Diyos ay maisagawa sa buhay. Di ba pati ang kalikasan ay dapat protektahan dahil gawa ng Diyos. “Superficial faith”
The problem of Filipinos is our faith. once we have a problem, we call to God.If we have no problem we can’t remember him. our faith is not constant.
and also mahilig tayo sa “bahala na si batman’. in order for us to be successful, we really need to work hard. maganda nag mag resources natin, d lang tayo marunong mag alaga. marami sana tayong magagawa dito sa pilipinas, tamad lang talaga tayo.
im here in Sharjah,UAE. to work for the future of my son.
everytime i want the pinoy tv here. nakakalungkot na maraming problema sa pinas. Sana matapos na ang gulo..
Let’s not make a general conclusion that poverty is related to faith. Although there are christian countries that are in extreme poverty, there are also christian countries that are very progressive like Spain, Great Britain, Australia, Canada, Australia, Germany, italy, and even USA. We can not deny the fact that these nations, although being secularized, still majority hold on to christian values and beliefs. There are also countries with “not much of God” which are really poor like the African countries such as Sudan, Chad, Somalia. And who are providing relief and development to these countries?- Generally, they are being helped by christian countries. Are you familiar with organizations like World Vision, Habitat for Humanity, Caritas, Catholic Organization for Relief and Development, etc.? These are christian based organizations basically supported by christians from countiries I mentioned. A lot have been mentioned on the negative cultural values and traditions of the filipinos which are actually contratry to christian beliefs and values. These negative cultural values have been deeply ingrained in the very fiber of our way of life. A real knowledge of the Father and personal relationship with Jesus Christ should be the beginning of a more meaningful, progressive and servant life. Though, it seems impossible to change our country’s status, we can begin in our personal life. First, by changing our belief system. God do not want us to be poor ! Why, in spite of so much poverty in country, still there are some who are way above the poverty line? According to Mahatma Gandhi ” Be the change, you want to see in the world”. If we see poverty everywhere, let’s stop blaming, crticizing, comparing and thinking of many reasons why we are poor. Yes, we care and are worried if there are few investments in our country but what can we do about it as ordinary citizen? Instead let’s accept it and do something about it on a personal level- start a business, enroll in informal or informal school to enhance skills, get promoted by working effecttively, tansfer job if on a dead end of career, submit our CV to diffrent companies with better opportunities, etc. Have a financial goal and never give-up in achieving the goal, once reach, set a higher goal.Second, getting out poverty is not the end-goal, it’s to be of service to other poor people so that they can also get out of poverty. Third, if we are having difficulties getting out of poverty, we can always hope and dream and never, never, never give up the dream. On the process, be with God throughout the journey. By following tested christian values and principles, he will lead us from someone who rely to God on daily needs to somebody who use God’s skill to provide for our own needs. Also, have more finances to provide for the needs of others and most importantly help them also provide for their own needs and others…….
i think there is much poverty in our country because most of us do not know how to put religion into practice. we often become too fatalistic - we rely on “bahala na” and wait for miracles to happen. true practice of our faith in God is by putting into action our love for God, country and fellowmen.
Filipinos are poor because:
a). Financially illiterate.
b). Leaders forget to “empower” the poor people.
I’m a Mexican-American married to the most wonderful girl on the planet (a Filipina) and after visiting your glorious country many times I believe that the problem is not the government (although it is indisputably corrupt from the the top down with few exceptions), but so is China, so is Indonesia. Yet they are flourishing. In my humble opinion, the problem is that there is too much “bahala na”. Trust God our Savior? I say with deep love and fervor: “YES!!!”, but God helps those that help themselves… Is faith without acts not dead? The Filipino people are the most educated in all Asia with the exception of perhaps Japan and Singapore. Faith is everywhere. The problem is the mindset of “I am poor and will always be poor” or “if it’s meant to be, it will happen”. God will help you if you try… This is not a religious thing, this is a “bahala na” thing.
I think there are a lot of factors that contribute to this. As for religion and poverty, I guess a lot of Filipinos still think that money is evil and that God loves poor people more so they unconsciously ‘want’ to stay poor. Sometimes, it’s too much reliance on God; there’s no balance between prayer and action.
hi bro. bo,
For me, Philippines is richly blessed with all the natural resources. Abundance is everywhere….I think, the main reason why poverty is still very prevalent in our country is due to man’s greediness…and because of poverty, people tend to trust more to God…with the assurance that God will be with them as they struggle through life….what we really need inorder to grow as nation is to be united, to be disciplined, to have a change of heart and mind and most especially a DEEP FAITH IN GOD…
God bless us all
Indeed, no man is an island. We co-exist. We are co-dependent. I believe that one man\’s choice affects the rest of us. If our country\’s leaders [whether in government, business or faith] choose to enrich themselves, they then deprive and rob away its nation and its people of abundance. On the other hand, if we are managed by conscientious leaders, the nation and its people will prosper. Our leaders are in the forefront, perception is inevitable. Yes, we are predominantly Catholic country, known to be very devout; hence, we are bound to forgive. While other countries are able to prosecute their leaders who commit crimes against their country and people, we on the other hand, are very forgiving…or maybe compromising? Our country also has a pool of very intelligent, skilled and smart manpower. But some if not most chose to live and work in other countries. We take so much pride of their success being one of us, being Filipino. But in reality, we lose them as they are won by other countries.
God and Poverty. We are poor, very poor for that matter because we toss to God our responsibilities. We have not been created in order to ask God to do the things we are suppose to do. We dream and sleep and just wait that God will be the one to implement our plans. We are too arrogant to think that God will act like our slave. We rely too much to God even the menial task. In the first place he created us to be busy. Sometimes we are too lazy to lift a finger when in fact what God requires from us is to exercise our whole body. Sometimes are lips are too flowery to exalt God but deep inside our hearts and souls are too lazy even to praise His name. What we should do is be silent, pray and ask what God wants us to do. But dont stop here. Act, work, implement,improve on the task He assigned to us. Dont stop from here again, shout, praise, exalt. By this time we are already rich and proud children of God with power to draw other persons closer to Him.
hi brother bro, I don\’t believe that we, filipinos are impoverished or experiencing poverty… well you may call me hipocrite but you see … it\’s the way people looked things in earthly perspective…that we don\’t have this… we don\’t earn or generate GNP of millions …etc compare to china… vietnam… japan or any countries progressing. Filipinos are just setting their minds or perspective that they are poor to excuse themselves to be responsible and responsive to their needs… truth be told… GOD provided philippines a rich natural resouces, heritage, people and experience … compare to other countries we tried to compare ourselves with… they look at us with envy… they may have resources, heritage, people and experiences but not as authentic as to to what we have… often they have man-made resources or simulations and they were just able to preserved it… but if we look deeper, GOD\’s amazingly and generously provision is in full throttle, he never ceased to provide us with such enormous blessing… and we\’ll appreciate if we stop looking for insufficiencies and throw away those comparing thoughts… what is missing is that… our part…we\’ve been idle… not making effort/s and we have not been a responsible and responsive stewards of his provisions… WE AS FILIPINOS NEED TO STOP FOCUSING ON THE WORLDLY PERSPECTIVE BUT LOOK THINGS THRU GOD\’S EYES… if you\’ve seen it!… you will understand that there is so much GOD and NO POVERTY at all! GOD is rich and generously bountiful isn’t it?…
lack of patriotism, laziness, greediness and walang pakialam na attitude are few factors i think why our country is poor. if our faith is really working inside us then everything else will follow. but selfishness rules and we tend to forget to be christ-like. if we only learn to share, to help one another, if we let others see Jesus in each one of us, prosperity is near at hand.
hi brother bro, I don’t believe that we, filipinos are impoverished or experiencing poverty… well you may call me a HYPOCRITE but you see … it’s the way people looked things in earthly perspective…that we don’t have this… we don’t earn or generate GNP of millions …etc compare to china… vietnam… japan or any countries progressing. Filipinos are just setting their minds or perspective that they are poor to excuse themselves to be responsible and responsive to their needs… truth be told… GOD provided philippines a rich natural resouces, heritage, people and experience … compare to other countries we tried to compare ourselves with… they look at us with envy… they may have resources, heritage, people and experiences but not as authentic as to to what we have… often they have man-made resources or simulations and they were just able to preserved it… but if we look deeper, GOD’s amazingly and generously provision is in full throttle, he never ceased to provide us with such enormous blessing… and we\’ll appreciate if we stop looking for insufficiencies and throw away those comparing thoughts… what is missing is that… our part…we\’ve been idle… not making effort/s and we have not been a responsible and responsive stewards of his provisions…
” WE AS FILIPINOS NEED TO STOP FOCUSING ON THE WORLDLY PERSPECTIVE BUT LOOK THINGS THRU GOD’S EYES… if you’ve seen it… you will understand that there is so much GOD and NO POVERTY at all! GOD, is rich and generously bountiful isn’t it?…
* i’d like to correct myself from the mispelled word hipocrite instead of HYPOCRITE…hehe tnx ^_^
hi brother Bo,
I don’t believe that we, filipinos are impoverished or experiencing poverty… well you may call me a HYPOCRITE but you see … it’s the way people looked things in earthly perspective…that we don’t have this… we don’t earn or generate GNP of millions …etc compare to china… vietnam… japan or any countries progressing. Filipinos are just setting their minds or perspective that they are poor to excuse themselves to be responsible and responsive to their needs… truth be told… GOD provided philippines a rich natural resouces, heritage, people and experience … compare to other countries we tried to compare ourselves with… they look at us with envy… they may have resources, heritage, people and experiences but not as authentic as to to what we have… often they have man-made resources or simulations and they were just able to preserved it… but if we look deeper, GOD’s amazingly and generously provision is in full throttle, he never ceased to provide us with such enormous blessing… and we\’ll appreciate if we stop looking for insufficiencies and throw away those comparing thoughts… what is missing is that… our part…we\’ve been idle… not making effort/s and we have not been a responsible and responsive stewards of his provisions…
” WE AS FILIPINOS NEED TO STOP FOCUSING ON THE WORLDLY PERSPECTIVE BUT LOOK THINGS THRU GOD’S EYES… if you’ve seen it… you will understand that there is so much GOD and NO POVERTY at all! GOD, is rich and generously bountiful isn’t it?…
* i’d like to correct myself from the mispelled word hipocrite instead of HYPOCRITE…hehe tnx ^_^
hello po.
naniniwala akong nagiging mahirap pa rin tayo dahil:
1. mali ang pinagtutuunan natin ng atensyon
a. Kilala tayong mga Pilipino sa pagiging masipag. Hindi nga lang ibig sabihin ng pagiging masipag ay kaya na nating makipagsabayan sa malalaking mga bansa. Oo, kaya nating umupo maghapon para gumawa ng banig, pero sa ibang bansa, ilang minuto lang at isang pindot lang meron na.
b. Pinipilit nating makipagsabayan sa ibang bansa sa mga bagay na kayang kaya na nilang makipagsabayan. Kung meron man sana tayong pagtutuunan ng pansin, yung lupa na sana natin dahil iyon ang binigay sa atin.
c. Brain drain. At dahil may brain drain mawawalan lalo ng trabaho sa Pilipinas. tapos lalong magkakabraindrain.
2. Toxic Faith
Balik sa dating blogs ni bro. bo. Ü
Nalilimitahan ang ating pagiging malikhain, ang ating pagkilos dahil sa maling paniniwala.
Hindi nga siguro sobrang Diyos eh, baka maling Diyos. Naniniwala akong gusto tayong maging magandang advertisement ni Lord.
3. Disiplina
Mas ok sating magbitaw ng masamang salita sa kapwang nagdidisiplina kaysa sa tignan ang punto niya. (Hindi nga lang ibig sabihin na lahat ng nagdidisiplina ay tama.)
4. Bahala Na
Dapat bilang Katoliko ibibigay natin ang makakaya natin para kay Lord diba? Bakit bahala na?
5. American Dream
Hindi dahil sa galit ako sa Amerikano. (at hindi rin naman) American dream - yung magkaron ng magandang asawa, anak, bahay, lupa, appliances at kotse. Tapos nun relax na lang.
Kailangan nating kumilos kung pinagpala tayo ni Lord para sa kapwa.
6. Priority
Maraming mahihirap ang may cellphone at load araw-araw at kuntento na sa ganun kahit na walang pagkain.
Sa gobyerno naman, pahalagahan sana ang pangangailangan ng tao, pagkain, tirahan, tubig, edukasyon at trabaho.
Huli (baka magpost ulit ako)
Prinsipyo ko sa buhay ang huwag kang magrereklamo hanggat hindi ka gumagawa ng paraan. Lagi tayong nagbubuntong ng sisi.
There is so much poverty in the Philippines because we don’t put our FAITH into Action.
When God said Thou shall not steal. (There’s so much corruption in our country. Anyway it’s our fault we elect these public official).
Filipinos are not illiterate we have one of the highest literacy rate in the world.
The problem is we go to Mass and when we go home we are still the same person. Full of faith but still don’t know how to put Faith into Action. May our church leaders and leaders in our religious community enlightens us all on how to put our Faith into Action.
Gob Bless Us all and May God’s Will always be done.
Faith in God does not guarantee exemption from poverty. You cannot put a spiritual bandage to a social wound. God did not say everything will be easy but he did say that he will be with us every step of the way.
One of the reasons why most Filipinos remain poor is I think poverty became a “comfort zone”. That’s why even if given every opportunity to live a more comfortable life most end up back to where they came from.
Well, as they say, you can’t have everything.
It could be that foreign investors are sometimes turned off by our religiousness or it could simply be because of how much vocal we are about improving labor conditions and raising salaries. In Japan, most people still consider their company as an extension of their families. Not much complaining against the boss going on there.
But being religious and close to God has its advantages. It’s the only reason I can think of why Filipinos are still capable of smiling amidst all the poverty and suffering.
And I believe Filipinos still find it hard to reconcile Money with Faith and Religion . Most still think that you can never have both.
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yes its true we are a religious country in asea,we are poor country because of greed not only the people in the government but also with in us…we always think of ourselves rather helping each other and pray for each other…we believed that there is god but in our life we live that there is no god…
The only answer; CORRUPTION & Selfishness of most Filipinos. That’s all.
The cause of povery in a Godly country like ours is the lack of hard-working, honest religious people and lack of upright and morally correct leaders.
Some Catholics and Christians alike thinks that when they turn to God, the Lord will ,miraculously shower them with blessings. These people leave their poverty state it in the hands of God without finding ways to uplift their current state. The dishonest people are selsfish enough to have the blessings only for themselves.
Poverty is surrounding us. But don’t blame us. But, let us go together to help others. Last week I attended mass in St. Lorenzo Ruiz Parish and I heard announcement from Parish Priest to share our money to help needy. Just give 20 pesos. Please, we can do it. God Bless you …
“God will provide”
—Isn’t that even MORE than enough, anyone?
Bro. Bo,
its all about paradigm shift. Since many of the pinoys hate God who are believers, why not gawin natin silang anti-christ and tell them about financial literacy. hehe just kidding po.
what if everyone is doing real estate?
what if they are all investing in the market?
what if they know internet marketing?
what if its all because of kerygma?
hehe
bro. Bo, thanks to you
I see Jesus in you.
PS. you know what? my mother hates you because you earn a lot of money. I just smiled back to her
We call ourselves Christians but we are nominal christians only. If we are really Christians, then sharing and helping one another will be our attitudes. But in reality most of us care only for ourselves or our own families…
We do not have much patriotism. Most of us do not really care for our country. If we do, there could have been obedience to the laws of the land…
thence, there could have been no landless people here… no landslides … no poverty.
Because Filipinos are masipag, mapagmahal, matalino, pasensyoso, makatarungan, masunurin, maaruga, makatao … maka-Diyos.
Foreign influences have changed them… values have been disregarded… we became very materialistic, comfort-loving…
PHILIPPINES DOES NOT BECOME RICH BECAUSE A “VERY BIG PORTION OF THE MONEY” OF THE PEOPLE HAS BEEN STOLEN “CONTINOUSLY.” “UNCEASINGLY!” PHILIPPINES HAS POOR ECONOMY BECAUSE THERE ARE NO, I MEAN, “FEW INVESTORS.” WHY? BECAUSE THERE ARE NO, I MEAN, “DO WE HAVE BILLIONAIRES HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES?” BILLIONAIRES ATTRACT INVESTMENTS! WE WERE LEFT BEHIND THE RACE OF GETTING RICH, THEREFORE, ONLY THOSE WHO HAD ALREADY TOUCHED THE FINISH LINE RECEIVE THE MONEY, I MEAN, THE PRIZES. AND THERE ARE ONLY FEW PRIZES. NOTHING IS LEFT FOR US, THUS, THE RICH COUNTRIES BECOME RICHER AND THE POOR COUNTRIES BECOME HOPELESS. ANYWAY, MONEY DOES NOT DETERMINE THE SOUL OF A COUNTRY, I MEAN, THE SOUL OF THE PEOPLE… MONEY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SOUL. THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN (MARY); THE STEWARD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, THE STEWARD AND PROTECTOR OF THE TWO JEWELS OF HEAVEN - MARY AND JESUS (ST. JOSEPH); AND THE SON OF GOD, OUR LORD (JESUS) HAD A SIMPLE BUT DESCENT LIFE HERE ON EARTH… WE DON’T LIVE BY MONEY ALONE BUT BY THE VIRTUES AND VALUES THAT MAKE UP A GOOD SOUL. WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU, GUYS? RICHES IN THIS WORLD OR A HAPPY SOUL WHEN WE DIE? IS GETTING RICH REALLY A THING TO BE WORRIED? BY THE WAY, “TOMORROW” WE WILL DIE… I’M SORRY…
I think that in most Catholic countries (that’s us and a majority in South America), people have a misguided kind of faith. Everything has become over religious to a point that for most people, faith alone is the answer to everything which in my opinion is not. Faith AND action should take us where we want to be. True, our faith could shower us with the unimaginable blessings from God but that does not mean that we do not work hard for our own sustenance and our own well being. God gave us hands and other gifts to use them.
Hi Bo,
Won’t be able to answer directly because honestly i don’t know the answer. Just some insights. i have a hunch that religion may not be related at all with economic progress, or may not be the major factor. with each christian nation you mentioned that is improverished like the Phils, there will be a christian nation to match it that is quite developed, like the christian nations of Europe. Similarly, there are non-christian nations that are very poor (e.g. african nations). north america, europe, australia, parts of east asia, and the middle east are generally rich, while south america, africa, and parts of asia are genrally poor. it would be interesting to see a map of the whole world, plotting religion against GNP. that may give a good picture if there’s a correlation. my hunch is there isn’t.
My second insight is this… Asia now may be considered booming in general. unfortunately, our country is falling off the boat. and i think the 2 biggest factors why we there’s prevailing poverty are corruption and indifference. one would think a country “full of God” should be the least corrupt… symbols and rites of christianity are one thing… acts are a totally different thing. So, are we really full of God? i remember one of the famous lines from somewhere… “it takes only good men to do nothing…’ (sorry couldn’t remember the exact line or where it came from, but i think you know what i mean.)
regards,
- the czar
As i am sure you are also aware Bo, a similar question has been asked by the German philosopher Max Weber . He also asked in his The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism why countries of Protestant origin in Europe (Scandinavia, northern Germany) are more prosperous thanCatholic-origin countries (Spain, France, Italy). Among the things he found out is that the Protestant \”ethic, particularly Calvinism puts primacy on hardwork and simplicity. Rather than a defense of Protestantism however, Weber\’s work should be read as that of seeing the interface between religion and economics. But what does this speak for today\’s time? As the economic train has been moving rapidly, not in the Old World of (Europe) nor the New World (USA) anymore but towards a new focal point - Asia. Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore are not Christian countries - but what do they have? The same things Weber found out as the winning work ethic - hardwork and simplicity. India is considered to be one of this group too. It is already seen as another powerhouse, economically. And its IT sector is known the world over for their hardwork, simplicity and creativity. But like the Philippines, India is also very religious and even have more gods than we do have. And like the Philippines you also see squalor, poverty across the country. Both countries, highly religious, and yet inequalities remain. In India, you have casts. In the Philippines, vehicles for social mobility are simply difficult to reach - education, land ownership, capital. But that is on the macro-side of things - institutions, governments, markets. On the meso-side of things - maybe we have yet to experience a real crunch for us to be united, despite being of different nations, for one evident by our many languages in the country (not dialects, not dialects). Let us stop thinking of being multi-ethnics. Or of being one nation - as u know, this only causes wars and fightings. We are plurinational - and may even hold two passports- but patriots, nonetheless of this land called Philippines. On the micro-side of things, many of us Filipinos are trapped in many \”distractions\”. we compare. we bicker. we get sidetracked by small irritants making us forget the bigger scheme of things that we should be doing. So is it religion? It is too much a burden to put on religion\’s shoulders alone. But too sad many of us run to religion not because we believe in it, or we uphold it. I am sure God in His love for us, wants us to express freedom in our faith rather than use our faith as our bondage.
That’s how we were brainwashed….GOD LOVES THE POOR! So we embrace poverty.we think poorly,We act poorly.We don’t realize the reason why Jesus had a preferential option for the poor.He wanted them (us)to be uplifted from poverty that’s why He loves us so much.Jesus wanted us to get even in the playing field.I believe that there’s still hope for this proper mindsetting for us Filipinos about God loving us.Cheers!
God and PROSPERITY:
My Grandmother is 84 years old now and for the past 55 years she do the same thing everyday attend the Mass at 6:00 am and open her store in QC at 7:00 am to sell everything from clothes to fruits. She has 8 children and her husband died when the youngest is 2 yrs old. With God’s helped the family never lack on basic needs. Now her kids has college degrees and family. Up to now she does the same routine because she always tell us God helps those people who help themselves. She only finished 4th grade but she uses the knowledge and faith God has given her to live a life with prosperity.
What do you think will happen if she only attend the Mass and never work on her store and just rely on miracles that other people or to the government will help her raise 8 kids?
May our Faith turn into Action because faith without work is dead.
From all the comments, views and ideas I read in this topic, all of them have real good point of views. There is “concerned” which indicates love to co-Filipinos and the country.
But it seems a big frustration even just to think about it on how we could help solve the poverty in the Philippines. With my personal experiences seems most of us filipino are cheating each other just to survive. For example, If you go to government offices to get licenses from business to vehicle, from Birth Cert. to Death Cert., from Barangay to Police to NBI Clearance and for almost everything, we need to give “under the table that means extra cash” so that we can get them pretty quick and easy. If we don’t then the in-charged would say “come back tomorrow, then next day after tomorrow, then next week then if you laps the deadline then you would pay late charges”. Now is this a Christian act or Judas act?
Lots of us suffered while lots of people do this evil acts. I can still remember that tricycle driver who needs to renew his liscense and he has a 7 year girl with him crying to death asking for food. I ask him why don’t you buy bread in the sari-sari store at the back of LTO office?. His answer was “I only have P300 and I don’t have nothing left”. Quickly I insist, but you have P20 as change (renewal was only P280.00)”. He quickly said “No” I give it to that guy so that I can get it today instead of tomorrow or next after tommorrow. That guy is an LTO employee. Right there I want to shout to the best I could but can’t because I am also doing the same thing as his, giving “tong” to these big crocodile. One thing not the same I have extra money for my needs. But what about this poor father with an empty stomach?
Now how can we help stop this act? Oh!!! Lord may your spirit guide us always…
There are many “professing Christians” more than “practicing Christians” in our country. Most pinoys thought being Christian is just going to church and when they get out of church, they do not practice being a Christian.
God has great plans for each one of us, it is our choice if we want to go with HIs plans or do our own plans. We make plans and ask the Lord to bless our plans ( as if God is a genie that we rub Him to bless our plans).
Most of us do not ask God to reveal His plans for us and we do not get to know God -that is why we are still suffering in poverty. We say we believe God but we are very negative about everything, we even hate our own country. This is very evident because we all plan to go to other countries for “Greener Pastures”. We even train our kids and lead them to careers that would earn dollars abroad. God is positive so if you keep saying you believe in God but you are negative-you will remain poor. Though God has great plans to prosper us but we are given freewill if we choose to be negative and poor or work towards claiming all HIs promised blessings.
Jeremiah 29:11“ I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “I have great plans to prosper you, to give you a hope and a future and not to harm you. I want to show you all of my miracles. I want to know you and I want you to know me. I want to show you the beauty of my plans.”
If we truly believe this, we will renew our minds and do get to know God so His plans will be revealed and we can be true Child of God-true Christian, we become inspired, enthusiastic and industrious so our lives will prosper.
Because daily I get to know the Lord through His Word (from the bible), I reap all the good things, I become very industrious and enthusiastic of His great plans for me and my country. I now can say, I was never poor in my own country.
Life is easier and not stressful, if you truly renew your minds through God’s Word.
Pinoys, get to know the Lord and know the truths in the bible so we can live harmoniously and live in prosperity. Live like God’s child. There is hope for our country, it has to start from you and you can create ripples of change among Filipinos.
Bo is one example of a great believer of God. Let his life be an inspiration to us.
We are the worst pagan beggars in the inside but extravagant christian in the outside. That is plain and simple reflection from within a flipino psyche…
· Why so much God and poverty in our country?
When I was a kid, my parents teach me about my catholic faith then I begin to learn about GOD, knowing HIM until now through out my Life, and I still remember those happy days low poverty and we are one of the richest country and recognized around the world - why?
1. GOD - loves our country and the people
2. GOOD LEADER to our Country
3. PEOPLE - who love our country and GOD
· Does a certain brand of religion cause poverty?
My mom always tell me when I was alone and lonely when I need somebody to lean on “just put your head up high GOD is there for you and pray because prayer can move mountain” these words that was spoken to me was in my HEART, MIND and SOUL until now that was when I am 12 years old but It never bother me about POVERTY and I am A Roman Catholic - Lesson learn - about Poverty - NONE
WHY? that year - ONE GOD ,ONE COUNTRY, GOOD LEADER, COUNTRY LOVING PEOPLE.
· Or am I missing something here?
I really miss my DAD he pass away when I was 16 years old I am about to graduate in High School He had a heart attack I couldn’t help him I was crying in the corner I forgot to pray looking at my mom and all my relatives rescuing my dad “my dad was paralyzed for seven years” that was his third and last attack I know GOD has a purpose for him. Now I’m 32 years old still remembering the past it was GREAT? NOW year 2008 - LEADER - went into the DARK they need LIGHT OF GOD, our COUNTRY was LOST - PEOPLE was wandering around the world - but only ONE THING I WAS CERTAIN “GOD STILL THERE” in our country - hoping, loving, understanding, believing, forgiving… but WHERE ARE WE - need direction - I can’t answer that its up to US…
PEACE and GOD BLESS…
me-anne
i think we are poor despite having so much of God in our midst as what that foreigner you were talking with in your story is because we tend to leave God in the church and live a Godless life afterwards. We are fully aware of God’s teachings and yet we don’t practice them. It’s all lip service.
In short , its not enough that we know the church commandments and practice our faith. It is more on putting into actions whatever we learn from our religion… Faith transformed into actions…attention: leaders of our nation.
I think we have so much God and Poverty in our country because
1. Most people think that Poverty = Simplicity which is not, you can earn a million and be simple or the other way around you can be earning a small salary and be lavish at the same time. God wants us to live a simple life not an impoverished one..
2. We rely too much on God that we don’t do our part in helping ourselves.
3. There is a wrong notion about the rich entering the kingdom of God plus the so many telenovelas that we have projecting the poor to be good and rich as the bad guys, who watch these telenovelas? The poor so they prefer to stay that way because of that mind set.
because what really matters is the life after this life of ours here on earth. what really matters is that we know God. there are a lot of sufferings, yes, but what is important is that we know that God is with us in our sufferings. Jesus has made a lot of miracles in His time, but only a few believed in Him and even crucified Him. Miracles will not change a person… I have experienced that many time. But turning to GOD, knowing that He is always there, will change a person forever.
and because what is important is that we can smile in spite of all of these!!! this is also the reason why in JAPAN, suicide cases is high… maybe true in China or the other 1st world countries… they just dont report it…
I think everywhere you go, you can either see churches / idols / signs (rosary/signages/etc) which gives us a view that we are a religious bunch. But I think for most of us, this is only pure hypocrisy, excuse my term. But its true. We have a tendency to show that we are religious but do we practice our faith? in our everyday lives? With faith comes knowing what is right and wrong. Do we always follow what is right for our God? In Government offices, I’m pretty sure you will find icons of Mary/Jesus/Sto. Nino but what is its purpose when greed exists? Corruption does not end with the Government, even in simple living does corruption exist. Again it should be practice of faith that can uplift us from Poverty. Practice of faith does not mean just hoping and praying, it also involves DOING!
But still hope exist despite of where we are. I’ve seen countless heroes give up some or all comforts of their lives to help uplift the lives of the poor. And I’ve witnessed it in Gawad Kalinga. So despite of where we are, there is still hope for change. Maybe all it needs is a little “nudge” from the Holy Spirit so we can start putting our faith into practice.
Godbless!
Hi Bo! and everyone,
I guess we have a lot in common with our South American Friends. They were conquered and oppressed also by Spaniards. When they came to us, they did give us their religion and it became our life. Maybe, lots of Filipinos are still in poverty is because we are still ‘thinking’ in that age of colonialism. That deep in the hearts of every Filipino living in poverty we are slaves and oppressed. Our almost 300 years of experience with the Spaniards has taught us that in order to survive we should just accept whatever we have. This mentally takes away our dreams. Dreams, which are very much needed to succeed and overcome poverty. I guess that countries like Mexico, Columbia, and Brazil which were colonized by Tyrants and Oppressors removed our ability to dream. Countries like Singapore, Hongkong, which were colonized by British rule were actually flourishing. No study has any support for these claims. These are just my two cents. : )
For me, I don’t mind being poor if it will be at the expense of my relationship to God. Let’s just look around us, let’s not blame the government. If we are faithful enough, what we need is personal leadership, change starts from ourselves. Modesty aside, I don’t get rich because I keep on helping my brothers and parents, at the same time “teaching them how to fish”. Remember, happiness is not equal to satisfaction. It is like you cannot serve 2 masters at one time. Even if you get rich and yet your life is miserable because of it, I don’t think you will be happy.
Hi Bro. Bo,
Sa mga nabasa ko halos lahat ay sumasang-ayon na ang relihiyon at kahirapan ay walang relasyon sa isa’t isa. Ang mga kaugalian na ating pinamamalas ay siyang dahilan upang umasa ang bawat isa at hindi gumawa.
Maraming mahirap sa atin dahil marami ang Filipinong gustong tumulong. Marami na ngayon ang mga taong natutulog sa kalsada dahil hindi na sila kailangan pang magbayad ng renta o upa. Hindi rin nila problema ang pagkain dahil may mga taong nagbibigay ng pagkain at pera. Hindi na rin kailangan ng tubig dahil maraming libreng tubig sa kalsada.
Napakamaawain natin na siyang tumutulak sa mga kapwa natin upang umasa na lang at maghintay ng magandang kinabukasan na hindi kinakailangan pang magbanat ng buto ng sobra sobra. Para kasi sa atin kapag nakakain na tayo kahit isang beses sa isang araw pwede na yon at tayo ay magbibigay pasasalamat sa Diyos. Magandang kaugalian subalit natututo tayong makontento sa bagay na kakaunti na pwede pa namang madagdagan kung nanaisin at iibigin.
Siguro kung pagsasabayin natin ang awa, pagtulong sa kapwa at pasasalamat na may kaakibat na pagtuturo at pagbabahagi ng kaalaman, karangyaan ng hindi nag-iisip ng sasabihin ng iba, lahat tayo ay maaaring mabuhay ng marangal at may dignidad pati na rin tayong mahihirap. Magiging mayaman ang Pilipinas, di lamang sa materyal na bagay bagkus makakamit natin ang panloob na kapayapaan at kaligayahan.
God Bless Us All and God Bless our Country!
hi bo,
there is so much poverty in our country because of wrong interpretation of 1 verse in Beatitude which is “Blessed are the poor for the Kingdom of God is thiers”. the clergy, the religious, the pastors did not help the people to really understand what is the meaning of this verse. Sometimes they use this verse to exploit people. Well i cant blame the people because maybe these authorities might not also understand what is really the meaning beyind those text. As far as a i learned from my prof in NT, put up a religion/congregation if you want to become very rich
So people thought that if they have more money the basileia of God wont be theirs.
Well this is a challenge for all the catechists, preachers, servants of God to spread what is really Jesus means those things and what really God wanted to the community.
st john+
As the saying goes “prayer without action is dead” oftentimes we give God the responsibilty the we ought to be responsible of/for. Sometimes we think that prayer is enough.
God said you need to do your best and he will do the rest but sometimes we tend to to forget about doing our best and just leave it all up to God.
I think ofentimes as well we tend to blame others about the miseries happneing in our life and in our country. we like pointing fingers at others which i think do not help at all. I think that we should instead take the resposibility and do something about it instead of just complaining, blaming and poiting fingers at others.
There is so much poverty because we are too much dependent with GOD.
Dear Bro. Bo,
A blessed morning to you and your family!
I believed that it is not religion greatly affect our economic stability but of having one vision in all sectors in life. To make the economy improve, you need to have one common vision at least regardless of religion or no religion at all. I’ve been in Japan several times and I know they whole heartedly try to improve their economy even as you know most of their money is in Federal Reserve in US and this same with China which is now US is under depression. They give their best and help each other.
I believed GOD want us to excel even further but we do not fully know the “know-how” and there are to many set backs such as partiality where ever sector we are in. BUT IT DOES NOT MATTER! WE CHANGE OURSELVES TO HELP OUR ECONOMY! I believed there is hope in the Philippines. And GOD will be our backbone.
I hope no one should blame God because God does not want these things to happen for He has good plan for us. For it was written:
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts I think concerning you,says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of hurt, to give you future and a hope”
And God never show any partiality in giving His blessings:
Galatian 2:6 “But from those who seemed to be something – whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man – for those who seemed something added nothing to me.”
If He can blessed Vietnam, China, or Japan, He can blessed our country.
And it starts with us – from you, from me, and to everyone who believed in hope of this country.
It can be done. Have faith.
Hi Bro. Bo!
I have 2 simple answer to that.
(1) We Filipinos have what we call spiritually and mentally malnourish. We hunger for so much yet we don;t know how to intake properly every relgious things we have learned from many retreats, seminar, etc… We don’t have contentment, we always wanted to achieve many things and all of these are roots of all different countries who have injected in our minds colonialism and other inhibited attitudes. Wala taung “originality” we always follow the tracks of a lost race. We can’t even stand on our own faith and country. But that’s what is really happening right now. A German Scientist friend of my father said: If all Filipino-Billionaires will join and commit and work as one for the country, Philippines can be the only SuperPower country! I believe that it’s not impossible.
(2) I believe that we Filipino’s and our country, Philippines, is a blessed country in this planet. I have a feeling that our God is listening to us always because remember Jesus came for us… sinners…
Hi Bo!
We became slave from the start of spanish era, where we are called “alipins” in so many ways and now in modern times, we call it Overseas Filipino Worker, Overseas Contract Worker. We are what we called number one in our field being “worker” and if we arm Filipinos around the world we can conquer this earth in a matter of weeks.
It is true that we have so much God yet so much poverty in our country. We are the most corrupt, we are so… so… and so in our country. I as a Filipino accept that for it is true.
But as a catholic and Christian I will not accept that we will remain poor. God has promised that He will prosper us: Zechariah 8:12 For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.
As Catholic and Christian, I am a seed and stand that this country will rise up from poverty for my God has promised.
Philippians 4:19
19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
As a Filipino I advocate entrepreneurship in children age 8 to 12. So by the time they finish college they will not seek employment but became Christian businessmen and women. Not only wanting to gain profit but sharing to others so that no one is in need.
i agree with somebody’s statement above. Sure we love God, but it doesn’t mean we love our country. We just look out for ourselves and our families.
Let’s get to the meat of the matter. To ask “why there is so much poverty in a country with so much religion”, reflects a lack of understanding of God’s nature.
We know that Jesus came to save us not as a man with bags full of money and jewelry dangling around his neck and wrists. He was a simple carpenter with a simple life and a simple family. He said that His kingdom is not of this world, perhaps that is why. This should send a message to all of us– that money is not the end-all and be-all of life.
In the first place, we should not equate money with happiness. Of course, life would be a lot easier with some money to spare, but it’s what we can do with our money that makes us happy; like eating out and watching a good movie with the ones you love, giving to charity, providing for your family, etc. Many people in the Philippines are not necessarily having a hellish life just because they don’t have money. Countless of “rich” people are in despair right now because of broken relationships and some are just in deep debt which lead them to despair.
Religion and the practice of it has nothing to do with a person’s being rich or poor. I know people in the Philippines who are religious and they are filthy rich! It’s not just the poor who are religious.
God said that He makes the rain or sunshine fall on both the wicked and the righteous. We are given equal opportunities. it’s up to us to see them us God’s blessings and make the most out of them.
Besides, Bo, your friend who asked the question said it himself: ” i have never met a more polite, more courteous, nicer people than the Filipinos. In that alone, we are already rich as a nation.
God bless us all!
Its our choice to be poor…..
Because mostly Filipinos relying their lives to the government,to their parents,to their brothers or sisters.And we export our best engineers,doctors,nurses etc…We can make the Philippines big if only we will be united with that purpose,God is giving us the wisdom.
Good day Bo,
We have so much poverty despite our being a religious country because we are not assertive. We were raised to be non-confrontational. When we see something wrong such as how our government is run, we do not address the problem. Instead we just complain about it to people who agree with us but cannot do anything about it (speaking from experience). We emulate Christ’s virtue of forgiveness so much that we allow our politicians to be dishonest and still go unpunished. We also have the tendency to be mentally lazy and just depend on our church to teach us how to think and act. We seldom use our God-given reason to know what is right and have the courage to do it.
i think the statement too much God is a misnomer..having posters and stickers of such does not tell us that this country has too much God..when I watch the new every day there are so many killings and corruption..i don’t believe God allows those things to happen..it’s the people in this country who chose those things to happen..because of our so called freedom that has been widely misused that caused it..if people really believe in those posted stickers and posters, why do such killings, corruptions and everything bad??? faith does not end in just posting a sticker in tricycles..it’s a daily exercise..so when people say that there is too much God in this country it is maybe because we are labeled as a christian nation..there is so much that God can do so we will prosper against poverty and at the same time in being a christian nation..the only way is to allow God to work His way starting in our own lives…change apparently starts with one person..
Good day Bo,
We have so much poverty despite our being a religious country because we are not assertive. We were raised to be non-confrontational. When we see something wrong such as how our government is run, we do not address the problem. Instead we just complain about it to people who agree with us but cannot do anything about it (speaking from experience). We also have the tendency to be mentally lazy and just depend on our church to teach us how to think and act. We seldom use our God-given reason to know what is right and have the courage to do it. We are also very dependent on God to make wrong things right and just give Him a free hand on handing out punishment to those who commit wrongdoings instead of correcting that person.
one more thing..having so many religions in this nation somehow caused trouble..i admit there are still flaws in the catholic faith..but using those flaws to invite other people to their religion is a no no..each religion should be helping each other to bring people to our one and only God not to their religion..those are two different matters..so instead of helping, it caused division and discrimination..i also don’t understand when people is being asked their religion they would say christian if they are not catholic..catholic is a also a christian..being a christian is an identity since we are all a part of Christ’s family..from that statement alone, you can see the division..we should all be united as one body in worshiping the Lord since it the same God that we are talking about.
Lots of reasons.
Like poor mindset. People who think and believe they are poor and can never get out of poverty most likely will remain poor.
Laziness. You can’t get rich without lifting a finger. You can’t get a job without finding it. You can’t make a business grow without patience, hardwork, strategy and capital of various kinds.
Lack of creativity. You can’t get out of poverty without creating opportunities yourself. Because most of the time, opportunities are blocked by endemic selfishness, greed and corruption among those who are in power and authority.
Curse. Poverty is a curse that runs throughout generations. Poor people will always be around. It is a product of man’s fallen state. But as to why some countries flourish and some do not, that remains a puzzle that God keeps. Therefore, not everyone will become rich.
Lesson on Enough. Earthly riches may take us anywhere but death will always bring us to the fact that we will only need what is enough. For we were born naked, and naked we shall depart. Therefore, our goal must be beyond getting out of poverty.
Riches is not measured by wealth. So is poverty not measured by lack of wealth. Only God knows who really is rich.
For as long as the poor man works with his hands and never gets tired of believing that God rewards hardwork, he will never be forsaken.
And while the rich boasts of his riches and believes he got them by his own intelligence and strength, time comes to him that he will realize that what he has may not necessarily be what he truly needs.
Let us endeavor to seek abundance here on earth using Godly principles for labor, and let us admit our poverty in the spirit so that God can fill us and change the way we think and live.
Then we will be enriched and have something to enjoy and give to others.
Life is not about possession. It is about giving away and being spent.
God and poverty…as i read the comments, evrything have been said!!!!dat,s one of the bad attitudes of Filipinos, we must admit it….nakakhiya pero totoo..tamad ang karamihan s atin!!!! RELIGIOUS BUT NOT SPIRITUAL!!!!…some of us have a faith dat is dead!!!!…kya walang progreso kc makadiyos lng po tau s loob ng simbahan, but wen we get out of the House of God?…Sino b talga tau?..matakot tau k LOrd!!! ….all FILIPINOS must be self-discipined!!! and, lastly, wag nten isisi s government..ainin n nten, nsa bawat isa s atin ang sagot kung paanu tau uunlad..ang sagot kung bakit tau naghihirap!!!! PRAY…and ACT ur FAITH!!! FAITH w/o ACTION is DEAD!!!!!GISING PINOY!!!
God and poverty…as i read the comments, evrything have been said!!!!dat,s one of the bad attitudes of Filipinos, we must admit it….nakakhiya pero totoo..tamad ang karamihan s atin!!!! RELIGIOUS BUT NOT SPIRITUAL!!!!…some of us have a faith dat is dead!!!!…kya walang progreso kc makadiyos lng po tau s loob ng simbahan, but wen we get out of the House of God?…Sino b talga tau?..matakot tau k LOrd!!! ….all FILIPINOS must be self-disciplined!!! and, lastly, wag nten isisi s government..ainin n nten, nsa bawat isa s atin ang sagot kung paanu tau uunlad..ang sagot kung bakit tau naghihirap!!!! PRAY…and ACT ur FAITH!!! FAITH w/o ACTION is DEAD!!!!!GISING PINOY!!!
God and poverty…as i read the comments, evrything have been said!!!!dat,s one of the bad attitudes of Filipinos, we must admit it….nakakhiya pero totoo..tamad ang karamihan s atin!!!! RELIGIOUS BUT NOT SPIRITUAL!!!!…some of us have a faith dat is dead!!!!…kya walang progreso kc makadiyos lng po tau s loob ng simbahan, but wen we get out of the House of God?…Sino b talga tau?..matakot tau k LOrd!!! ….all FILIPINOS must be self-disciplined!!! and, lastly, wag nten isisi s government..aminin n nten, nsa bawat isa s atin ang sagot kung paanu tau uunlad..ang sagot kung bakit tau naghihirap!!!! PRAY…and ACT ur FAITH!!! FAITH w/o ACTION is DEAD!!!!!GISING PINOY!!!
Its education that we lack in our country. Gov. needs to implement good education, expand knowledge to the students, give the best opportunities academically, and prepare all the children to become intelligent by supplying schools and giving good salary to each teachers, our country will changed!