Poverty and Creating Prosperity for All

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Angad Kaur

Good morning.

Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty established by the United Nations. We see in the media how conflicts of war and natural occurrences like floods have a huge impact economically on people and communities. And even if poverty doesn’t apply to us personally, we may still be keeping a cautious eye on the increasing costs of living. But one point the UN highlights has called me to deeper reflection: that poverty is “dynamic” - meaning people and households can move in and out of it.

In a shop one morning, I heard a child from my local estate repeatedly asking her Mum to put some extra food items in the basket. Any parent can experience this but refusing is because the food is unhealthy, rather than unaffordable. I’m considering my own inner conflicts about offering support in such a moment because I don’t know the person, I may get it wrong, causing embarrassment or offence.

As a Sikh, I’m reminded that everything in creation is an extension of the Creator. Guru Nanak gave 3 pillars for living: remember God’s presence, work in awareness of the Giver and share the fruits of your labour with others.

If I took the attitude that some days we may have more, and some days less, it can change how I perceive giving and receiving, especially through acknowledging that the True Giver isn’t me. Today, I could be a vessel for giving and someone else is receiving. Next month, it could be the other way around.

Dear God, please guide me in the ways I can contribute, starting on my own doorstep, with whatever exchange is possible, keeping the natural generosity of the heart alive, including the heart of community, which cultivates prosperity for all.

Sat Naam