"The American Government gives the most help to those who need it the least. This is the true nature of our welfare state, and it has far-reaching implications, not only for our bank accounts and poverty levels but also for our psychology and civic spirit." This quote from Matthew Desmond's book, Poverty, by America, is a hard truth, but it is true.

It is certainly not the story we tell ourselves, and it is definitely not the narrative that the writers of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act would have us believe. Most Christians recognize that how we spend our money should be influenced by our belief in God, but what this looks like in practice varies greatly. In this episode, we explore what the Bible says about wealth and poverty in light of our current state of affairs and envision what a progressive theology of economics could look like.

The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

1. Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/675683/poverty-by-america-by-matthew-desmond/
2. https://www.crfb.org/blogs/breaking-down-one-big-beautiful-bill
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrhrhPtnogs
4. https://www.npr.org/2025/02/26/nx-s1-5309695/trump-gaza-video
5. https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/how-trump-family-took-over-crypto-firm-it-raised-hundreds-millions-2025-03-31/
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM
7. LA Homeless services controversy https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/la-county-supervisors-lahsa-vote-homeless-spending-accountability
8. https://www.foxla.com/news/la-homeless-funding-federal-hearing-may-29