The "war on poverty" was supposed to reform the entire social fabric of our nation. The hungry were to be fed. The naked were to be clothed. The homeless were to be sheltered. The jobless were to be employed. The helpless were to be protected. Blacks, Hispanics, Indians, women, and the elderly all were to be brought to full equality. Through legislation and litigation, through education and communication, through taxation and distribution, the disadvantaged were to be unshackled from structural poverty.

But the "war on poverty" has failed. The "war on poverty" has become a war on the poor. It has actually added to the structures of structural poverty. It has created a permanent underclass and reinforced the divide between the haves and the have-nots.Three decades ago, the first edition of this book was written to propose an alternative to the failed welfare system and a practical approach to restoring the old consensus of faith, family, and work. Although much has changed in American life and culture in the intervening years, the principles highlighted here are as relevant as ever. Indeed, these principles are eternal because they are drawn from the Bible."All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Thus, to attempt the "good work" of poverty relief without taking heed of the dear instructions of the Bible is utter foolishness (Romans 1:18-23). It is to invite inadequacy and incompetency (Deuteronomy 28:15). All such attempts are doomed to frustration and failure, as the "war on poverty" has so amply and aptly proven. Humanism and its various programs, policies, and agendas can't work, because humanism is out of touch with reality (Ephesians 5:6). It is fraught with fantasy (Colossians 2:8). Only the Bible can tell us of things as they really are (Psalm 19:7-11). Only the Bible faces reality squarely, practically, completely, and honestly (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). Thus, only the Bible can illumine genuine solutions to the problems that plague mankind (Psalm 119:105).

This book's primary intention is to look simply and briefly at what the Bible says about poverty relief. What does Scripture teach concerning welfare? Or work? Or charity? Or entitlement programs? What about the civil government's role? Or that of private initiative? Or the churches? And what about income redistribution? What does the Bible really say about justice, mercy, and compassion? Or civil rights and affirmative action? Or oppression and bondage?Once a clear picture has been drawn of the Bible's principles for relief, then--and only then--can specific policy recommendations be made (Deuteronomy 15:4-8). Only then can strategies be outlined, tactics designed, and programs initiated (Joshua 1:8).But please don't get the idea that simply because this book focuses most of its attention on Biblical principles that it is a book of theory and not a book of practice. Because the Bible is itself by nature practical (Proverbs 3:5-6), this book is inevitably practical as well. In fact, we hope that it will prove to be helpful as a manual for action (James 1:22).