RE:SOURCE
Challenge
Challenge
Poverty and Human Flourishing
Part 3/3
SEED THOUGHT
After reading parts 1 & 2 of this Challenge, we should understand that poverty is about more than a lack of resources, but also involves an individual’s psyche. And that being made in the image of God includes embracing the Biblical mandate to be creative, productive members of society. But how does this practically play out in the battle on poverty?
An effective, but often over looked, answer is: value-creating business and trade. As was mentioned previously, since the year 2000 nearly a billion people have risen out of desperate poverty due to the opportunities found in business and trade. Think about it. For an individual living in poverty, who not only lacks the necessary material needs but also struggles with the psychological pain of not being able to provide for him/herself – and quite possibly an entire family – productive work provides a solution. Once an individual is able to participate in a productive trade that matches his/her gifts and abilities the blight of poverty begins to fade – rather than merely be masked.
Instead of simply raising more donations to distribute among the developing world, we must find ways to encourage permanent job creation that allows individuals to thrive by creating and producing more than they consume. Fikkert & Corbett, authors of When Helping Hurts, express this well when they say,
“The goal is to see people restored to being what God created them to be:
people who understand that they are created in the image of God with the gifts, abilities, and capacity to make decisions,
and to effect change in the world around them” (81).
So, let’s be purposeful in our poverty alleviation. Let’s find and support models that promote value creation and human dignity.
To learn about some organizations who are involved with this work - scroll down below.
REFLECT
Take two minutes to ponder and record your answers to the questions below. Be sure to write them out, as 95% of the value of this reflection comes from actually considering-as-you-write.
ACT
“Our Father in heaven –
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
(Matthew 6:33)
Before any action is taken, we must acknowledge the Lord and His divine will. As Christians, we are charged with caring for the poor in a way that is glorifying to our Father. No matter our approach to poverty alleviation – we must first seek the Lord’s will, not our own.
For this month’s 10-2 challenge, take 2 minutes a day for the next 10 days to seek the Lord’s will. Ask Him to show you, in your current vocation, how you can care best for the poor in a way that is most glorifying to Him. Make sure you also ask the Lord for a love that doesn’t allow us to see the poor as simply mouths to feed or problems to solve.
Part 3/3
SEED THOUGHT
After reading parts 1 & 2 of this Challenge, we should understand that poverty is about more than a lack of resources, but also involves an individual’s psyche. And that being made in the image of God includes embracing the Biblical mandate to be creative, productive members of society. But how does this practically play out in the battle on poverty?
An effective, but often over looked, answer is: value-creating business and trade. As was mentioned previously, since the year 2000 nearly a billion people have risen out of desperate poverty due to the opportunities found in business and trade. Think about it. For an individual living in poverty, who not only lacks the necessary material needs but also struggles with the psychological pain of not being able to provide for him/herself – and quite possibly an entire family – productive work provides a solution. Once an individual is able to participate in a productive trade that matches his/her gifts and abilities the blight of poverty begins to fade – rather than merely be masked.
Instead of simply raising more donations to distribute among the developing world, we must find ways to encourage permanent job creation that allows individuals to thrive by creating and producing more than they consume. Fikkert & Corbett, authors of When Helping Hurts, express this well when they say,
“The goal is to see people restored to being what God created them to be:
people who understand that they are created in the image of God with the gifts, abilities, and capacity to make decisions,
and to effect change in the world around them” (81).
So, let’s be purposeful in our poverty alleviation. Let’s find and support models that promote value creation and human dignity.
To learn about some organizations who are involved with this work - scroll down below.
REFLECT
Take two minutes to ponder and record your answers to the questions below. Be sure to write them out, as 95% of the value of this reflection comes from actually considering-as-you-write.
- How has this Seed Thought challenged your way of thinking when it comes to poverty?
- How can you pursue human dignity and restoration of all people through your line of work?
- What is one practical way your actions will reflect your newfound view of poverty?
ACT
“Our Father in heaven –
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
(Matthew 6:33)
Before any action is taken, we must acknowledge the Lord and His divine will. As Christians, we are charged with caring for the poor in a way that is glorifying to our Father. No matter our approach to poverty alleviation – we must first seek the Lord’s will, not our own.
For this month’s 10-2 challenge, take 2 minutes a day for the next 10 days to seek the Lord’s will. Ask Him to show you, in your current vocation, how you can care best for the poor in a way that is most glorifying to Him. Make sure you also ask the Lord for a love that doesn’t allow us to see the poor as simply mouths to feed or problems to solve.
GET INVOLVED
To learn more about how you can be involved with this type of human flourishing and poverty alleviation check out some of these organizations
To learn more about how you can be involved with this type of human flourishing and poverty alleviation check out some of these organizations
Partners Worldwide
"We aspire to end poverty so that all may have life and have it abundantly." www.partnersworldwide.org 
ECHO
"ECHO exists to reduce hunger and improve the lives of small-scale farmers worldwide." http://echonet.org/ |
128 Foundation "Driving Economic, Social, and Spiritual Progress in the Developing World." http://128foundation.org/ 
Kiva
"We are a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty." http://www.kiva.org/ Also, read When Helping Hurts. Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett do an excellent job describing the situation at hand and suggest some helpful ways to move forward. They also show how our actions and assumptions affect others. Together a sustainable solution can be reached.
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