I read the following definition of Poverty Alleviation in the book "When Helping Hurts" by Steven Corbett and Brian Fikkert:
"Poverty alleviation is the ministry of reconciliation: moving people closer to glorifying God by living in right relationship with God, with self, with others, and with the rest of creation."
The authors were making that point that there is far more to helping the poor than giving them material possessions. They went on to say:
"The goal is not to make the materially poor all over the world into middle-to upper-class North Americans, a group characterized by high rates of divorce, sexual addiction, substance abuse, and mental illness."
This was a stunningly profound truth to read. What are we, 'the church' doing? What is it going to take to wake us up?
Lord help us. Help us to see clearly what we need to change within ourselves. Bring about renewal in the hearts of each of us. That we may become agents of transformation in our homes and communities. In Jesus Name, Amen.
"Poverty alleviation is the ministry of reconciliation: moving people closer to glorifying God by living in right relationship with God, with self, with others, and with the rest of creation."
The authors were making that point that there is far more to helping the poor than giving them material possessions. They went on to say:
"The goal is not to make the materially poor all over the world into middle-to upper-class North Americans, a group characterized by high rates of divorce, sexual addiction, substance abuse, and mental illness."
This was a stunningly profound truth to read. What are we, 'the church' doing? What is it going to take to wake us up?
Lord help us. Help us to see clearly what we need to change within ourselves. Bring about renewal in the hearts of each of us. That we may become agents of transformation in our homes and communities. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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