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Christianity Today, December, 2007 |

How We Fight Poverty

U.N. Millennium Development Goals are good—as far as they go.

A Christianity Today editorial | posted 12/05/2007 08:29AM

Ban Ki-Moon, the secretary general of the United Nations and one of the world's most influential leaders, did the unimaginable a few weeks ago: He met with a diverse group of evangelicals near Washington, ...

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Jason

Posted: December 12, 2007 9:35 AM

How long will we continue to polarize proclaiming and demonstrating the Gospel? I heard a missionary doctor tell us beautiful and inspiring stories of bringing health care and treatments to remote parts of Peru thus improving maternal health, and drastically reducing child mortality rates--i.e. children stopped dying from diarrhea and other preventable causes. Then, after telling such a great story of the Gospel in action he had to qualify their work and say, "don't worry, we preach the Gospel as well". I was hit with the absurdity--how far have strayed from the life and teachings of Jesus when we have to distinguish our "healing the sick" from sharing the gospel. I pray that through movements like the Micah Challenge we return to our Lords example of where our proclamation of the Gospel and our demonstration of the transforming power of the Gospel are united.

Marco Grimaldo

Posted: December 06, 2007 2:15 PM

Thank you so much for putting these important meetings into good context - not just for evangelicals, but for all Christians. I believe that our first call is to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ and to share the joy of knowing Jesus with others. I'm a life-long Presbyterian and in my life, I have come to appreciate that we can share the Good News through Word and Sacrament, but perhaps equally powerful is when we live out the Good News for all to see. I no longer see much distinction between the two and find it difficult to appreciate one without the other. Whether I am helping someone through my church or in my volunteer efforts, or if I am calling my member of Congress to be sure that she supports efforts that we as a nation can take to end poverty, I think the result is the same and in furtherance of the Gospel. Moreover, I am convinced that it will require a little from all of us, at church, at home, through our national leaders if we hope to really make a difference.

CabbyDear

Posted: December 06, 2007 1:51 PM

Focusing on poverty is not and should not ever be the primary goal of the church. Jesus, himself said that we would always have the poor with us. The primary call of the church is to "make disciples of all nations". Taking care of the poor should be the result of the outworking of the Holy Spirit within a church body...an act of obedience to His Spirit rather than simple human agreement that something needs to be done. Where His Spirit leads, there will be provision for the workers and those who are in need, both physically and spiritually. An outreach to the poor is a kingdom-building effort rather than simply finding and filling a need.

shaw	Posted: December 06, 2007 1:18 PM

I am disappointed with this editorial. It stops short of blatantly calling the church to fully partner to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Why? Why does it not in plain sight call the church to partner 100% with the MDGs? Bottom line: the MDGs are entirely unprecedented not only in terms of development scope, but also in terms of global participation and partnerships, and [most importantly] achievability. Is this an indicator of a greater issue with the church: that we preference initiatives that come from evangelicals whether they are actually more effective and strategic than those put forward by “secular” organizations? **Would there be more support for a lesser strategic, not as achievable set of global development goals if they were proposed by a major evangelical organization? I fear so.**

CabbyDear

Posted: December 06, 2007 1:06 PM

CabbyDear

Posted: December 06, 2007 1:06 PM

John	Posted: December 06, 2007 6:04 AM

I know this has become a mantra for me, but ONLY throwing money at the problems of the world will never solve them. The world and society as a whole, starting here, needs a radical overhaul from the uber-capitalist social-darwinist hedonistic philosophies that have defined America and the world for the last 30 years or so. Somewhat ironically, but maybe not, the rise of these philosophies have occured at the same time as the rise of the evangelical movement, and I think not in small part because of that movement's kool-aid drinking acceptance of Republican Party pricincipals. We need a society where people CARE about their neighors again, where squeezing the last penny of profit is not viewed as an admirable goal, where driving a $100,000 car and living in a $1,000,000 house is a sign of warped values and not admired as "achievement." WE need to change the values in society first, THEN stuff like the MDG will be much more achievable. And Christians need to lead the way.

Kasalo

Posted: December 06, 2007 3:38 AM

Church influence is very wide. She is in the best position to help iradicate poverty , unfortunately some church leaders do not know how. They confine themselves in bible study, prayer meeting and sharing personal experiences then what. They are activity oriented and all rituals thus forgeting the plight of the poor and worse making it appear that their activities are for the benefit of the poor. The big question is how these religious activites and rituals transform the poor economically and spiritually. Is there any concrete examples they can cite especially within the community they serve.

T Hutton

Posted: December 06, 2007 1:14 AM

More aid. Just what these poor countries need. Haven't we tried that one already. As Christians we need to remember that giving more money almost never solves anything. What these poor countries need is transformation. This transformation must some about on an individual level. Individuals transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit are what leads people and nations out of poverty. The author is right by saying 'Jesus is the foundation for our working for Justice'. However, partnerships with secular groups will simply not work. They don't share a world view that lends itself to development and transformation. Only the theistic/biblical worldview can and has brought nations out of poverty.

Ephrem Hagos

Posted: December 06, 2007 12:15 AM

In case Christians have any reservations regarding God's position on Fighting Poverty in the World, consider the cost-benefit ratio presented in Isa. 58: 1-12. For the costs of sharing out food with the hungry, opening our homes to the homeless, giving clothes to those who have nothing to wear and satisfying those who are in need, our benefits will include God's favor shining on us like the morning sun, quick healing of our wounds, protection on every side by the presence of God, turning of the darkness around us to the brightness of noon, strength and wellness, an evergreen life and more. Can we find a better deal?

shaw	Posted: December 05, 2007 11:35 PM


what is the big deal with christians partnering for the fulfillment of the MDGs?!

ML	Posted: December 05, 2007 11:19 PM

The new secretary general of the UN is not asking Christians only, he is asking faith based communities for help. It would be tragic if our insistence on proselytizing would result in a squabble over whose' faith is the right one. The two things must be kept separate or we will never have the cooperation of other faith based communities. The Micah principle calls us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Who knows, we may just discover that people will actually want to convert to Christianity if we live by our conviction.

Katie - Michigan

Posted: December 05, 2007 10:10 PM

It's important to bring the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to other countries, even in our own. As Christians, it is also necessary to fight the evils we see happening in these countries, like poverty, human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, etc. However, we cannot compartmentalize our faith into spreading the Gospel and living out the Gospel. Yes, justification by the blood of Christ is the first step, but sanctification by the Holy Spirit is also part of the transformation. Since we have been justified, we are, by the Spirit, sanctified in striving to become like Jesus and drawing closer to him. One important way this happens is by seeking justice in the world, especially justice for the poor and suffering. When we live out this transformation, we encounter others with whom we can share the hope that we have. Telling the Gospel cannot be done without living it, and living the Gospel can't be done without telling it. Both are interconnected by faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Roger - Australia

Posted: December 05, 2007 7:44 PM


Why is it that governments are quite happy to utilise 'faith-based' organisations to end poverty in the world, but withdraw public funding for prison ministries on the basis the government should not be seen to fund faith-based organisations that could be accused of proselytising or indoctrination. does anyone else see the double-standard?

strut2k

Posted: December 05, 2007 1:12 PM

This is a very complicated matter. Of course the Church should be involved directly in the fight on poverty. It is even fitting to support a UN initiative. For better or worse, the UN is made up of all the nations of the world. For American Christians to ignore it in a fit of right wing pique would be a mistake. But Christians must remain true to Christ's call to proclaim the Gospel. Our efforts might be better spent stepping up what we have been doing all along, partnering with Christian nationals to build the Church, relieve suffering, care for the sick, empower the powerless. Christians should cooperate with the UN, but not relinquish our responsibility to the Lord, or fail to hold the UN accountable when corruption or repression rear their heads. The Church could certainly provide relief and medical aid the UN can distribute. Hopefully, Christians will also be full partners at the table as the UN plays its part fighting poverty.

caveat bettor

Posted: December 05, 2007 1:10 PM


I believe the intent of the MDGs are wonderful. Saying stuff is easy though, and really, doing the right thing is what counts. To that end, here is a review entitled "Surprised by Opportunity" by Bill Easterly, (which recalls C.S Lewis "Surprised by Joy"): http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB119500042253192049.html

C. RAY CARLSON

Posted: December 05, 2007 12:37 PM

'Remember the poor' was the advice to Paul by the Council at Jerusalem, and to which he agreed wholeheartedly. But we still tend to avoid helping the impoverished with the one thing they need - a Job. We gladly present the gospel, and a lot of other things to help them survive physically, but then leave them in crushing poverty. How immoral! An income-generating strategy must be an integral part of all that we do for the impoverished of this world. Through my Rotary Club I have found opportunities to work with Rotarians in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and even among Native American youth, to teach them about entrepreneurship, how to write a business plan for an idea they may have, how to find seed capital, and I have found the appreciation of the Christian and Muslim communities to be exciting. Business-savvy Christians can and are doing this in growing numbers. Let's put Job Creation very high in all our future endeavors for Christ.

Charlotte A Miles

Posted: December 05, 2007 12:11 PM

I believe in the word of God which Jesus says, that the poor will be with us always. This to me means the poor in spirit. But I believe it can be tofold economically also. God uses people to do his will and we who have riches, that money was giving to us for a reason and that reason is to help others who are in need. I talking about those of us who are Christians. We are to preach the gospel of the good news of Jesus but also to give them what they need so that they will be able to receive the word. How can people think if they are hungry, not clothed or sick. Don't say I'm sorry I'll pray for you and do not help. Helping will give us an opportunity to minister. When they receive Christ in their life then and only then will God turn things around for them. This is really not a natural thing this is a spiritural situation. We help and help with money but things seems to be getting worse because they most believe and accept Christ as thier personnel Savior. After this victory

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