Make Poverty History – 2nd June 2007

Ten Lessons I have learnt about poverty in the last two years:

1) Poverty is a long term issue – we should not stand up or march for it if we are not in it for the long run;

For you have the poor with you always (Mark 14 v 7)
For the poor will never cease from the land (Deut 15 v 11)

2) Making Poverty History is not just about lobbying leaders about change and passing responsibility on to the state. It is about an individual lifestyle change and is an integral part of our faith;

LT Johnson in his book Sharing Possessions. Mandate and Symbol of Faith writes:

“The way we use, own, acquire, and disperse material things symbolizes and expresses our attitudes and responses to ourselves, the world around us, other people, and, most of all, God.”

Some of the choices I have made in the past with regard my lifestyle meant I have given myself not much space to help the poor and those in need. I have walked past those in need because I am too busy to help just like the first two guys in the Good Samaritan. I have stretched myself financially with things I don’t really need so that I can’t afford give to the poor. Brian Houston, Hillsong Church advises we should live generously and make a difference.

3) I am increasingly realizing that poverty is not just about poor people. My experience is that those people who are suffering most and have almost nothing have the most joy in their hearts and the strongest faith. Rich people are poor too – just in different ways. Having money, whilst it helps to have material things, is not the be all and end all;

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.” Proverbs 22 v1&2

The poverty of rich!

4) There are over 10,000 Orphans in Chikankata Hospital’s direct catchment area of 82,000. Most don’t go to school. $19 billion is spent on pet food in the US. The average life expectancy in Zambia is 36. $50 billion is spent on cigarettes in the Europe. Robbie Williams won three Platinum Awards in 2006 for albums that sold more than 1 million copies. The cost of one CD could pay for the fees of a child to go to school in Zambia for one whole year.

5) Most of the world lives in poverty. If you are living in a rich country with a comfortable lifestyle – you are in a minority and blessed.

6) There is little teaching against actually being rich, Jesus and NT writers usually spoke about the attitudes, heart and pursuits of the wealthy.

7) The church will be judged on how its responds to the needy and the poor (Luke 4v18). Our mission is to preach the gospel and our responsibility is to help the poor. Those who consider themselves religious, holy and righteous will be judged on their treatment of the poor. Therefore, the church is the hope of the world. The Salvation Army is part of the church. Bo Brekke, a Salvation Army officer, writes extensively about poverty;

“The greatest thing we bring to mission in an economically poor country is the liberating news that Jesus has come to give people back their true identity as Children of God. By transforming individuals, Jesus wants to transform their relationships and indeed the social structures of whole societies.”

8) Many institutions like Chikankata around Zambia and the world live on a hand to mouth basis, have no money, have huge debts, and lack so much. However, the personal pressures of this situation have led me into much higher levels of commitment and trust. Chikankata Hospital does amazing work in difficult circumstances. Jesus still does miracles today through ordinary people. I have seen that at first hand with the staff at this hospital.

Bill Hybels, writing in his book Courageous Leadership about setting up the Willowcreek church testifies;

“Nothing deepens trust in the goodness, grace and miracle working power of God like financial pressures that we have faced every week”

This is my experience too.

9) I have really kind friends. People around the world really do care about the poor and poverty. The media warps the view of the world. For every war, there are churches and aid agencies helping people who are displaced. Where there is hunger, there are people who handing out food. Where there are sick, there are hospitals and clinics. Where there is Orphans, there are OVC care programmes. People give a lot of money and do a lot of stuff to help the poor. Tony Blair serves as UK PM in for ten years, Major Ruth Schoch works as a Nurse in Chikankata for over twenty five years. What do you hear about most?

10) The fundamental aspect of Making Poverty History is love!

If I give all I possess to the poor…..but have not love I gain nothing (Paul)