G20 – The Gap Between Rich and Poor
Beggar in Amritsar, India (2009), Source Flickr.com, Author MM of Switzerland (CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic)
The G20 Summit is being held in India this weekend.
Along with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, the members of the G20 include Mexico, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, China, Brazil, Argentina, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.
These nations have a major impact on the world’s economy, together comprising 85% of global GDP and 75% of global trade [1].
The G20 meet annually to discuss solutions for global issues from climate change to finance, their goal being to assure worldwide economic stability.
Strangely enough, the poverty so evident in India does not appear to be on the agenda. Indeed, India has gone to great lengths to hide or disguise the destitute status of its citizenry from G20 leaders. The article here https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/08/ashamed-of-our-presence-delhi-glosses-over-plight-of-poor-as-it-rolls-out-g20-red-carpet?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1 describes those lengths.
The situation of these impoverished people is heartbreaking; the conduct of their representatives, despicable.
Yet, our own country — the wealthiest on earth — is not far behind. The gap between rich and poor has become cavernous. That gap more than doubled between 1989 and 2016 [2]. The income of the fortunate few at the top of the scale is now more than 13 times that of the unfortunates at the bottom [3]. There are 756 billionaires in the United States, and 37.9 million Americans living below the poverty line [4][5].
Those who consider themselves “elite” would prefer not to associate with much of the rest of the world. Of course, for those without a conscience, there is little incentive to improve the living conditions of the poor or their access to opportunities for a better future.
God does not see it that way. Throughout history, the so called “great unwashed” — the class the elite hold in such contempt — have constituted the vast majority of mankind. They have fought the wars, paved the roads, tilled the fields, and manned the factories. They live and die in obscurity, but God knows them each by name.
Regardless of what the G20 may believe, it is God alone who sits in judgment on the nations. May He have mercy on us all.
“For the needy shall not always be forgotten; The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever…Let the nations be judged in Your sight…O Lord, That [they]… may know themselves to be but men” (Ps. 1: 18-20).
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[1] YouTube, “What is the G20 summit and why is it important?”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1uetbDlR4s.
[2] Pew Research Center, “Trends in income and wealth inequality” by Juliana Horowitz, Ruth Igielnik, and Rakesh Kochhar, 1/9/20, https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/01/09/trends-in-income-and-wealth-inequality/.
[3] US Census Bureau, “2021 Income Inequality Increased for First Time Since 2011” by Jessica Semega and Melissa Kollar, 9/13/22, https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/09/income-inequality-increased.html.
[4] Wikipedia, “List of US states by the number of billionaires”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_the_number_of_billionaires.
[5] CNBC, “37.9 million Americans are living in poverty, according to the US Census. But the problem could be far worse” by Juhonn Lee, 3/7/23, https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/07/why-poverty-might-be-far-worse-in-the-us-than-its-reported.html.
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A Lawyer's Prayers 
“for those without a conscience, there is little incentive to improve the living conditions of the poor or their access to opportunities for a better future”.
This is the core issue as I see it. When the world’s leaders gather to discuss economics the plight of the poor is not a factor in their decision making.
Instead, new trade agreements to level the playing field or tilt it in favor of one nation or another take center stage. By focusing solely on economics the human factor is reduced to what’s behind the newly erected wall. Out of sight-out of mind.
As difficult as it can be, we are left to acknowledge that the average person can do very little to help the masses who so desperately need a way up and out of poverty. That grave responsibility falls upon governments to allocate revenue in fair and equitable ways so that all receive their fair share.
Sadly, such governments no longer exist, leaving the poor with no powerful advocate except the Lord Himself. What that means is that because Christians are the hands and feet of Jesus, we must find a way to serve those who are trapped in the cycle of poverty. Every donation to a food bank is important. Every hour spent volunteering is important. Every prayer is important.
You are so right, Ron. That we as individuals cannot have a global impact, does not mean can have no impact at all. We must not be discouraged. We must not cease our efforts to aid the poor. The need for our involvement is all the more urgent. We can make a difference one life at a time.
Yes , for sure Anna! Sometimes I think we look at ourselves and think we could never be a world changer, forgetting that changing the world begins with helping just one person.
Liebe Anna, Du hast wieder sehr mutig ein schwieriges Thema aufgegriffen und beleuchtet. Es ist richtig, dass man sich nie entmutigen lassen sollte, sondern versuchen, selbst etwas zu tun. LG, M.
Meine liebe Marie, ich kann dir nicht genug für deine Freundschaft und Fürsorge danken. ❤ ❤ ❤
During my work careers, as a boss, I have taught many (who responded well), how to work and be productive beyond just getting a paycheck. I have seen that as a small part of helping with the problem. Normally they would just get fired as a reoccurring issue in their life. Mentoring is a really big deal and a lost part of many cultures. I belong to a group that helps kids go to camp they cannot afford. The kids have to work for some of it. we find people who will give them tasks and get to know them. Each individual in poverty has their own unique solution and a one size solution does not even come close to “fitting all”.
You are precisely right, Gary. Money alone thrown at the problem will not solve it. Relationships are vital. Society must recognize the value of each life — not merely the lives of the rich and famous. That requires an investment of time and energy.
The dogmas of the Christian faith, including the Psalms, will not eliminate the gap between rich and poor. Capitalism has been accelerated, particularly under the leadership of the Protestants, thereby widening the gap.
You obviously have a heart for the poor. Unfortunately, I cannot agree w/ your conclusion. Certainly, there are historically Christian nations w/ a gap between rich and poor. There are many factors, however, contributing to this (and many efforts underway to alleviate the disparity).
The gap between rich and poor is greatest in Saudi Arabia (an Islamic nation) at 87.6%. Next is Russia (a communist nation) at 86.9%. After these are Laos (a principally Buddhist nation) at 87.3%, and Oman (another Muslim nation) at 87.5%. See, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-countries-highest-wealth-inequality-145310363.html.
Household wealth in China (another communist nation) is concentrated in 1% of the population. The poorest 25% of the population own less than 2% of the wealth. See, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4589866/.
The premise that wealth equates with godliness is a distortion of Christian doctrine, as is the false claim that Christianity assures prosperity.