Have you ever analyzed why some communities, partner organizations, CRC congregations, or our own World Renew staff seem to move more quickly towards transformation then others?
In reading, “Generous Justice,” by Tim Keller, I was struck by the messages we tell ourselves and others that can actually feed a poverty mindset instead of overcoming it. Keller refers to a sermon by Jonathan Edwards, “The Duty of Charity to the Poor,” (www.biblebb.com/files/edwards/charity.htm) which lists some of these messages as objections. They can be summarized as follows:
- Though the poor are needy, they are not yet in extremity. In other words, we should only help people when they are absolutely desperate.
- I have nothing to spare. In other words, I am too poor to help others, or I am too tired and burned out to help any more people.
- The person(s) in poverty is ungrateful or ill-tempered so he/she doesn’t deserve to be helped.
- The person(s) in poverty has brought himself/herself to want by his/her own fault.
Do you notice the theme of these messages or objections? It is a mindset or a collection of excuses in today’s culture that I would classify as S.A.D. because it is full of Skepticism, Apathy and Despair. And this mindset must be renewed with a mind of Christ if we as World Renew staff, partners, donors, supporting congregations, and ultimately the communities with which we serve expect to win the fight against poverty. So what are the rebuttals for this S.A.D. message?
- Be sympathetic; love as a brother/sister; be compassionate and humble (1Peter 3:8). Would you want to be in a situation of extreme desperation before someone comes to help you? Then why require such condition of others before helping them? For example, why wait until we see pictures of starving, dying children in the media before we help people in the Sahel region of Africa when there is a drought? Why not intervene in the early stages of famine when people still have enough energy and stamina to contribute to food-for-work programs that ensure their dignity, and encourage their resilience and community’s development?
- Read the Good Samaritan story in Luke 10:25-37. The Good Samaritan didn’t have much, but he was willing to be burdened and interrupted to do the right thing in helping his neighbor. Read also 2 Corinthians 8: 1-2 about a church that was afflicted but still reached out to assist others.
- As Christ loved you so you must love one another (John 13:34). As Tim Keller in Generous Justice writes:
"Before you can give this neighbor love, you need to receive it. Only if you have been saved graciously by someone who owes you the opposite will you go out into the world looking to help absolutely anyone in need. Once we receive this ultimate, radical, neighbor love through Christ, we can start to be the neighbors that the Bible calls us to be (Keller, 2010, pg. 77)."
We need to be mindful of what and who really is at fault. There are many systemic injustices that have contributed to poverty. A deeper analysis of poverty may actually reveal that our own choices in lifestyle and consumptions have contributed to another’s poverty. We may also realize that a person in poverty may have been taught “how to fish,” but they do not have access to the pond so they are trapped in poverty. As Luke 6:37 says, “Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” If someone has been reduced to poverty by some oversight or by forces beyond their control, and yet is now desirous to overcome it, would we forever refuse to help? What kind of gospel of forgiveness is that?
Overall, a renewed heart and organization pays heed to Proverbs 28:7: “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” May God open our eyes and hearts today!
In Him,
Ida Kaastra Mutoigo
Director
World Renew Canada