Don’t Forget the Poor: A Biblical Approach to Addressing Poverty

After we have guided the poor through transforming encounters with the Holy Spirit and introduced them to a life of discipleship that ensures that they understand their responsibilities to their families, their communities, and to the poor, we still must deal with many structural evils that trap people in poverty. Christians who are developing a prophetic voice all over the world must address these global social justice issues. However, this is a subject beyond the scope of this chapter.13 I will simply mention some of the issues that need to be addressed:

• Abuse of power by leaders;
• Establishment of the rule of law;
• Protection of private property;
• Separation of powers (The roles of the king, judiciary, and Levitical administration were all separate from one another.);
• Forgiveness of debt that overwhelms nations;¹⁴
• Limited liability to cut off the effect of generational poverty;
• Protection of the civil rights of minorities,¹⁵ women, children, and displaced people groups.¹⁶

It is a source of great joy to me to see the global Church confronting corruption,¹⁷ crime, and injustice in their nations. Among many endeavors, for example, Christians are intervening in the trade of human lives by rescuing individuals imprisoned through sexual slavery.¹⁸ They are also working to equitably allocate national budgets to educate children and provide basic health services to the people.

 

Conclusion

We cannot forget the poor. This requires that we understand that the poor are not only orphaned children in Africa, but everyone whose relationships with God, their family, other people, and God’s creation have broken down. They live without the shalom that God intended them to enjoy. Corbett and Fikkert say it well, “Jesus Christ is described as the Creator, Sustainer, and Reconciler of everything. Yes, Jesus died for our souls, but he also died to reconcile—that is to put into right relationship—all that he created.”¹⁹

The biblical approach to poverty alleviation does not move from the top down, the way politicians want us to think, but in the opposite direction. Besides providing generous assistance for relief and development, as the Bible instructs, Christians and churches also need to take an approach that involves the spiritual life. First, people need to come into relationship with God through Christ and allow His Spirit to transform their lives, which constitutes “redemption and lift.”

Second, discipleship needs to occur in the family. Parents need to create a healthy family environment where  children flourish, thus breaking or preventing the curse of poverty. Parents also need to apply sound biblical economic principles, including planning for unforeseen crisis and retirement. Where need exists, the family has primary responsibility, then the church. Unfortunately, these responsibilities have been lost in the current debate on the role of government in poverty relief. A whole-life discipleship program that clearly articulates the normal life of a disciple, must aggressively address these issues.

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Category: Living the Faith, Summer 2016