Po' Folks

by Ken Thomas

Proverbs 15:17 declares, "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith." These words seem out of date in am America where many consider poverty as greatest possible tragedy. Solomon emphasized the importance of love in the home, saying that if a poor family sits down to a coarse meal of simple food, they are better off, if they have love, than the wealthy family eating fine food in an atmosphere of hatred.
In the early 60's Bill Anderson sang "Po' Folks" about a family of ten in a two room shack. "My daddy was a farmer but all he ever raised was us." After describing the dire poverty he sang, "but we had somethin' at our house money can't buy...Whenever we didn't have food enough, and the howling winds would get pretty rough, we'd patch the cracks and set the table with love -- cause that's what you do when you're po' folks..."
To some, home is the place to go when there is no other place to go -- a mere "filling station", a place to change clothes, eat, and go again. In our country, mental illness outranks all kinds of physical maladies. Psychiatrists tell us the most mental problems stem from abnormal home relationships.
A while back I read of a young boy who changed schools often due to the transient nature of his father's work. The family stayed in motels and hotels rather than buying or renting a house. As the boy turned his books in at school, preparing to move elsewhere, some of his playmates said, "It's too bad you do not have a home like other children do." he replied, "We have a home all right. We just don't have a house to put it in." Genuine love in a home will overcome many hardships.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content," 1 Timothy 6:6-8.

March 29, 1992

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Po' Folks by Ken Thomas Proverbs 15:17 declares, "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith." These words seem out of date in am America where many consider poverty as greatest possible tragedy. Solomon emphasized the importance of love in the home, saying that if a poor family sits down to a coarse meal of simple food, they are better off, if they have love, than the wealthy family eating fine food in an atmosphere of hatred. In the early 60's Bill Anderson sang "Po' Folks" about a family of ten in a two room shack. "My daddy was a farmer but all he ever raised was us." After describing the dire poverty he sang, "but we had somethin' at our house money can't buy...Whenever we didn't have food enough, and the howling winds would get pretty rough, we'd patch the cracks and set the table with love -- cause that's what you do when you're po' folks..." To some, home is the place to go when there is no other place to go -- a mere "filling station", a place to change clothes, eat, and go again. In our country, mental illness outranks all kinds of physical maladies. Psychiatrists tell us the most mental problems stem from abnormal home relationships. A while back I read of a young boy who changed schools often due to the transient nature of his father's work. The family stayed in motels and hotels rather than buying or renting a house. As the boy turned his books in at school, preparing to move elsewhere, some of his playmates said, "It's too bad you do not have a home like other children do." he replied, "We have a home all right. We just don't have a house to put it in." Genuine love in a home will overcome many hardships. "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content," 1 Timothy 6:6-8. March 29, 1992 Related Articles: Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM