Brady Higginbotham
Of Poverty

"The ways to enrich are many, and most of them foul." - Sir Francis Bacon

Poverty is a concept widely misunderstood to mean only absence of wealth. It is not simply the absence of wealth. On the contrary, it brings even greater wealth to those who possess it. When the value of money is taken out of the equation, other values such as family, compassion, and love surface. People without money do not know the evils of great wealth. They rely on family and those close to them for care and support. By creating these bonds, poverty strengthens one's moral qualities, thereby enriching him with value greater than that of any amount of currency. Poverty can be likened to the caterpillar in its cacoon. On the surface, it may seem dull and inchangeable. However, its inner beauty is always there, though unseen, until the time is right to unveil its wonder for all to see. A classical novel can also be used as an analogy to poverty. The outer cover may seem pale and uninviting. However, the actual story can prove to be compelling while still teaching a greater life lesson, thus embedding within the reader better moral values. If money is the root of all evil, then poverty is the center of all virtue. In the Bible, verse three of the fifth chapter of Matthew echoes the point of virtuous impoverishment: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." Do not seek poverty simply to be praised by others, for there is no true virtue in such conceit. However, if poverty does happen to arrive, greet it with nothing but gratitude and respect, for it deserves no less. The quest for money and power only brings with it the results of greed and selfishness. Poverty offers within itself the greater values of love and humility, for those who seek not for wordly riches are, within themselves, the richest of all.