JOBS NOW
Throughout the Bible, we are reminded of the intrinsic value of work for both the individual and our community. Proverbs tells us that a laborer’s appetite will drive him on. Americans understand this and share this common work ethic. That is why our current financial situation is so debilitating and crippling. It has not only robbed us of work but the dignity that accompanies that work.
The Talmud (Rabbinical commentary on the Jewish Law) explains that the highest form of charity is to give in such a way as to affirm a person's dignity worth and value. This means that it is much more valuable to give a person a job than a check for not working. Our government and our current administration, for all of their good intentions in trying to restart the economy, have not done enough to provide resources that affirm the dignity and value of the American worker. This is clearly a case in which the church needs to step in or be invited to assist. We understand and know that the church is an organism and not an organization. As such, we are a living, breathing entity that is called out to serve God and humanity to the glory of Christ. The greatest thing that the church can do at this point is to be a conduit through which the resources to restore the dignity and worth of individuals that are unemployed or underemployed may flow.
According to recently released numbers, 9.5% of our nation’s people are unemployed. That number, in fact, is deceiving. What it means is that, of the 10 people who want to work, one can't find work. But, there are so many people that have already given up trying to find work and are ready to settle for public assistance. Something has to change.
Between 1960 & 2000, the United States created 80 millions jobs. But, something terrible happened in the last decade. We lost jobs. And in this new decade, we are still losing jobs in spite of the massive amounts of money that we are pumping into the public sector to create jobs. We cannot afford to have another decade where jobs are lost.
Jobenomics is a plan to create 20 million private sector jobs by 2020. The money that is generated to pay the people in both the private and the public sector comes from the private sector – large, medium and small businesses. Small businesses provide the most growth and the most promise. We need to do all that we can to see to it that our small businesses are not discouraged, but encouraged.
Jobenomics is a program designed by Christian business people to teach people to achieve personal freedom and dignity through meaningful work. Jobenomics was developed by the Provision Network (Pastor Dan Stratton) and The Institute for Leadership (Pastor Michel Faulkner) to assist people in finding and maintaining such work. We will provide mentoring from established coaches and successful individuals. We have secured relationships with various lending institutions to assist qualified businesses to receive the loans that will help them grow. Finally, we plan to create incubators for small businesses where teams of experts can assist in producing quality business plans and even some early sales and partnership opportunities.
These are the ideas and strategies that God is giving to his kingdom-minded people to bring change to the world. You can learn more about jobenomics at www.jobenomics.com.
I am running for Congress for New York's 15th Congressional District to bring these kinds of solutions to all the people of this district and to model these kinds of changes for a nation. On Labor Day, September 6th, I will be leading a march across 125th Street to bring attention to the need for jobs that will raise the financial and spiritual well-being of the people in my district. Come out in support so our combined voices can be even louder. Please join me in prayer that these endeavors may bear fruit. For more information on my campaign and the march, please see my website: www.faulknerforcongress.com. You can also reach me at info@faulknerforcongress.com
