5% of the people
continue to live in 95% of
the land, while 95% are cramped
up in 5% space. The unequal distribution of wealth in
our society continues unabated, and the gap between rich and poor grows wider. Are
we not bothered that someone can’t eat, sleep, go to school, get medical help,
work and have a decent life? People die of hunger! Should we not, as true
believers of GOD, do something about this? Why are we seemingly indifferent?
Other
religious group like the “Buddhist Tzu Chi foundation” is very visible in
charitable work, as a matter of fact, even if they do not overtly invite the
poor to join Buddhism, many have. Our Roman Catholic counterparts have
continued their charitable work as well; even Muslims do. Should we, who
believe in the true and living GOD, exhibit the unconditional love that we have
so often preached in our pulpits? What happened to the “doing good to the least
of our brothers”?
When
a poor person or child comes knocking at our car doors, what was our initial
reaction? Do we even look at them? Are Christians their poor brother’s keeper?
What is an ethical Christian response to the poverty problem in our society?
How should Christians actively participate in the alleviation of poverty?
The
book of James reminded us to live out our salvation. “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is
this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself
unstained by the world” (James 1:27). In our modern day context, the
orphans and widows are the “helpless poor in distress” that are all around us.
Brother
and Sister-in Christ, we are in the best position to reach down to them. Not
only should we give money, but we should show the love of Christ by CONSISTENTLY
getting involved in their lives. In so doing, we would be able to fulfill what
Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you
did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even
the least of them, you did it to Me.”
I
believe that Christians, in order to be relevant in our society, should show
the love of GOD by actively, consistently and conscientiously helping the poor,
not only in sharing the Gospel, but more relevantly through creating
opportunities for livelihood, job placement, education and making
micro-financing facilities readily available in order for the poor the regain
the dignity that a human being created in the image of GOD ought to have. It is
our ethical responsibility to be our poor brother’s keeper. Our lives are the
Bible that they will read! Maybe… by getting more involved with them, many will
be ushered into the Kingdom of GOD!
How about you? What is your stand as far as this
issue is concern? Should Christians be overtly involved with the alleviation of
poverty? To what extent should they get involved? Is reaching to them with a
stick, rather than our hands, be good enough? Is being your impoverished
brother’s keeper our concern?
A Protestant Theologian once told his students,the difference between a good Samaritan and a conscious Samaritan is that a good samaritan sees a beggar on the road give some money,sees another beggar on the road, give some money,another beggar, give some money.While a conscious person, will ask how come there's so much beggars? Marianne Williamson mentioned in one of his speaking engagement that there is so much who have more and so much who have less. 17,000 children dying each day due to hunger. I billion live on 1 dollar a day.You know what will happen if Tech Industry like Yahoo,Twitter,Facebook, Google will say...it's global poverty and 10 years it's done. The point is " good intention is not enough but willingness to help is everything. If you are interested, you do what is convenient but if you are committed, you do what it takes.
ReplyDeleteThank you very, Kuya, for your prompt response. You are correct. Many feel for the poor, but only a few act on how they feel. Good intentions are nice, but they are without practical benefits. The problem with poverty is so huge, so much so that even if all join hands to resolve this, it will still be a challenge. And there is also the personal responsibility of the poor having the resolve to wanting the assistance that is being extended. Because nobody can help them if they do not really want to be helped. Our moral duty is to look for these people who wanted, but can't. God bless you and your family!
Delete"The Poor" that I am commenting would be more of the pictures flash on your blog because there are many ways to describe someone who is poor.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, honestly I don't have any stand as to how to address this issue. It's more of a "feel ko ba" to give and help or totally ignoring them.
But having post this question makes me think about what do I need to do with this reality that is staring me in the face. I believe that I need to be involve.
With regards to your thoughts on being "overtly" involve, having no inkling, I have some reservations.
As to what extent I would be involve? Well, having little or no idea how to help, except handling "dole-outs" every now and then, I would probably choose to partner with organizations who are more familiar in helping the poor and when I encounter them on the road, guide them to such locations so that these organizations would (1) help them from their current predicament; (2) teach them "how to fish"; and lastly (3) change or renew their mindset.
Having said that, I guessed it's obvious that my answer to your last question is a definitive YES!
Any recommendations which organizations are doing these so that I/We could partner with them?
Makati Gospel Church is joining CCT (Center for Community transformation) so that we could get started with bringing back the dignity that the poor deserved because they are created in the image of God. We will be needing at least 22 volunteers for our initial project of feeding 700 3-12 year old poor children where Bible studies would be conducted before the actual feeding. If your church would be willing to help, you would be most welcome. This feeding is just the initial step in the transformation of the whole community. We will be starting soon. Please let me know if some of your people would be interested. We start at 5am with cooking and be done by lunch. God bless you for your heart for the poor!
DeletePoor people are not only them on the road. However, the beggars on the road are the first look of how we understand about poverty.
ReplyDeleteIn relation with your question about the beggars on the road, so far I know, most of them are controlled by a syndicate. However, we can't totally ignore them when they approach us to ask money. Sometimes, we need to show our love to them. Giving food will be one of the best options for them. But We can't also simply give them money anytime they approach us, this will not help them. By always giving them money, we're indirectly agreeing and supporting them to enjoy what they are doing. I will agree with kuya Benson's view that if we are going to overtly involve, is better to partner with a Christian organization that has good program for helping the poor.
So far I know, kuya Alex, you are one of the good Samaritan who has concern and love about the poor. Keep moving forward, God bless!
I am actually very excited because we will be starting one soon. Not only will we do feeding, we will also be able to provide a place for them to stay, train, study the Word and help them be employed. With our partnership with CCT, holistic approach to ministry is no longer a dream. And I praise God for giving our church the opportunity to join Him in reaching the impoverished segment of our society. God bless you for helping me with this project. God bless!
DeleteIn one example of Jesus' dealing with such people we read:
ReplyDelete"And Jesus said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' And the blind man said to him, 'Rabbi, let me recover my sight.' And Jesus said to him, 'Go your way; your faith has made you well.' And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way." (Mark 10:51-52)
The reason for this question which at first sounds rather ridiculous is this; some people are in their situation are there by their own choosing. They want to be crippled or poor because then they can solicit money without working. It's a good question; "what would you like me to do for you?" If the answer is, "Help me out of this situation" then we have an individual who genuinely wants help. If the answer is "just give me money" then more than likely we have someone who isn't interested in a way out.
The big importance here is; Jesus is the way out. But of course Jesus chooses to work with us. Take the example of the feeding of the 4000 and the 5000. Jesus said to His disciples, "You give them something to eat." Not, "pray for them and I'll get them some food." We do still need to pray but the significance is; do what is needed, praying.
So what is needed? Hence the question; "What would you have me do for you?", if the interest for real help is there then get to work. The work involves discipling and evangelism. We find people as we are out there evangelizing. Jesus said "Go and make disciples (the context being; "as you go" "wherever you go and are -- make disciples"). So in our daily lives as we go about our Fathers business, we find, evangelize and disciple. In the process we help them out of their situations and into a better life. This however takes a lot of time and we are not inclined to do this, but we must.
My hope is to start a ministry that provides resources to individuals to get them out of their current poverty, whether financial or spiritual by making available what is needed to learn a trade or go into business or get into university. In doing such I would be as Paul stated: "Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." (I Thessalonians 3:11-13). Notice verse 12 says; "... may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you," Paul seems to have been following the example of Jesus as he went about doing whatever he did – and we should too since it's a community mandate for the whole body of Christ.
The Center for Community Transformation is into the holistic transformation of communities. You could partner with them if you're interested. Makati Gospel would be in partnership with them very soon. You could check out their website: www.cct.org.ph. If you need, I could facilitate connecting you to them. They, not only have the facilities, they also have years of experience in dealing with street people that they lovingly address as "kaibigan". Currently, they have 130,000 under the micro-finance scheme. They establish 30 churches a year and plan to have 500 new churches in 3-5 years.
DeleteThanks a lot for your support in responding to my blog. God bless you, Bro!
Re: Please make some comments.
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From
Totie Callao (Aug. 2, 2013 Friday via email)
To
alex chun
God want’s us to be compassionate to others in need, but we must always realize our prime purpose is to proclaim the gospel and nurture them to maturity in Christ. The New Testament does not proclaim a social gospel as it is often twisted into meaning.
Having said that, out of love for others, we should seek to help people as we are able but this does not mean we become a welfare agency.
Galatians 6:6 "Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it. 7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows,8 because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith."
Our responsibility is to lead people to Christ and where needed, to help people help themselves so they can meet their own needs and become productive members of society. Compare the following verses:
Eph. 4:28: The one who steals must steal no longer; rather he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may share with the one who has need.
2 Thess. 3:6 But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition you received from us. 3:7 For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline among you, 3:8 and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. Instead in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you. 3:9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate.3:10 For even when we were with you we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.” 3:11 For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others.3:12 Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.3:13 But you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing what is right. 3:14 But if anyone does not obey our message through this epistle, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, to put him to shame. 3:15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Note the principle of verse 10 above: a person who is not willing to work, should not be allowed to become a welfare recipient. Such is not cruel, but vital to their own well being and future happiness and ability to become a functional and fruitful member of society.
At the same time, as we help people, we should never help them in such a way that it might promote a lifestyle that is contrary to basic biblical principles of right and wrong, especially on a long-term basis.
In the interest of leading people to Christ, we can perhaps overlook some things for a while since no one is saved by changing their lifestyle, but each situation must be evaluated. For instance, the young people living in the nearby railway station were engaged into drugs and immoral activities. We cannot insist they separate from them. What they needed was to know Christ.
Re: Please make some comments.
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alex chun (Aug. 3, 2013, Saturday, 1:48pm)
To
Totie Callao
Hi Pastor Totie,
Thank you for your lengthy reply. It show how close to your heart this topic is. We will be partnering with CCT soon and they are experienced in discerning who the deserving street people are to be the recipient of their services. We could learn much from them. Please pray for the success of our feeding program. I am still having second thoughts about reaching the group at botanical garden since they would be relocated very soon. Please pray for discernment with regards to this too. Thank you once again for these years that you have incessantly supported MGC-PWS. May the Lord bless you with all kinds of blessings!
Sincerely,
alex
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blanca quinto (Aug 2, 2013, friday, 10:36am)
To
Bro. Alex Chun
Hi Bro. Alex, I agree.
“ I believe that Christians, in order to be relevant in our society, should show the love of GOD by actively, consistently and conscientiously helping the poor, not only in sharing the Gospel, but more relevantly through creating opportunities for livelihood, job placement, education and making micro-financing facilities readily available in order for the poor the regain the dignity that a human being created in the image of GOD ought to have. It is our ethical responsibility to be our poor brother’s keeper. Our lives are the Bible that they will read! Maybe… by getting more involved with them, many will be ushered into the Kingdom of GOD!”
*** Every Christians have the ability and resources to help the poor, but the question is “Are we willing to do it ?”
Re: Please make some comments.
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alex chun
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blanca quinto
Hi Ate Blanca,
Yes, it does not really matter what our social status is. There is always someone poorer than us. Many also feel the compassion, but it is those, who acted on this feeling , are the ones that truly lives out the love of God. Holistic approach is the way to go regarding poverty in this time and age. Our efforts might not even make a dent, but it matters much to those that would benefit.
Thank you very much for taking time to respond to this request. It means a lot to me.
God bless you and thank you for your continual support for the Pilipino Worship Service.]
alex
From Jacque Dy (August 2, 2013 Friday, 9:56am)
ReplyDeleteDear Bro Alex,
Please see my reaction/ comment in violet. Thank you and God Blest. In Christ Alone, Jaq
Why do you say we are “indifferent”? There are a lot of movement in the Christian world, like CCT ( whose empowering the small and marginalized enterpreneurs )that get the loan from them and slowly be independent and find their own keep- a long term help to lead to transformation as they are asked to come weekly for discipleship and learning of God’s word. we have the Samaritan’s purse International who even came during Ondoy, Sendong, etc and sent shoeboxes by the container load -- we received 60 containers alone this year 2013. They also have Disaster relief , CCF as a church support orphanages and have regular small group ministries amongst the poor and amongst the working class and the executives. Many more of which we may not be aware of ;D
So on this part, I do not agree that “we are seemingly indifferent” .
When a child/ blind or anyone whose in need / newspaper sellers come, we give them biscuit and gospel tracks. As a family we support ministries to help the character transformation of children in public schools that have no values education teachers to mould them and reach out to them weekly. ;D
Amen, we need to have a touch base on our ministry. So yes, I do actual distribution when I can, and organize prayer groups ( my role in OCC) so that the activities will be lifted up in prayer to the Lord. The Lord has given me a ministry in my family, my workplace, my church and through ministries like OCC to fulfill His will. I guess the seasons of our lives calls us in different roles and challenges. When our children are young, and needs our guidance and help, when a sister gets stroked and suddenly becomes in need of attention and support, when a Dad calls weekly for help to do our share and give our talents.... Many things are at hand. What is best is to be intentional in being IN THE LORD’S presence and BE SENSITIVE TO HIS CALLING, may it be to reach out to a loved one, or to reach out to a needy child who asks for bread.
Re: Please make some comments.
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alex chun (August 3, 2013, Saturday, 2:46pm)
To
Jacque Dy
Dear Sis. Jacque,
Thank you for taking your precious time to accommodate my request.
Yes, you are right. There are Christian organizations that are doing magnificent work in alleviating the plight of the poor. As a matter of fact, we are about to partner with one of them soon and I am very excited about it. But a great majority of our Christian Church goers are still not involved. Those are the ones that I referred to in my article.This is also the sentiments of the people, in general, who are not in the know. Why? One reason is: we do not usually let the left hand know what the right is doing, unlike Tzu Chi. So the perception of the general public is not very positive. There is also much room for improvement for Christians to be aware and get involved in poverty alleviation efforts.
The purpose of this exercise is to gauge the sentiments of people regarding their moral responsibility towards the poor and thank you once again for your participation.
Aside from a great majority of Christian not getting involved, I have also observed that many of us would agree that help needs to be extended and feel compassion for them, but I hope that feeling would soon result in actions.
GOD bless you and your family as you continue to join HIM in emancipating the poor and needy of our society!
Sincerely,
alex
Re: Please make some comments.
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From XXXXXXXXXXX (August 2, 2013, 9:13am, via email)
•
To
• alex chun
Hi Brother Alex! thank you for sharing your blog! i share the same sentiments. just to share to you, i don't like to share in your page, my husband and I have 1 working scholar and 1 foster daughter. Having a foster daughter who is already 12 years old (she's 11 when I got her) is a big challenge, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, she is so different, now I realize that adopting is a big bite to chew. Now I have a working scholar, she is a "deserving student" - with 91 average noong HS siya and wants to go to school but because of Pablo (super typhoon), they loss their livelihood. so now she is working for me, I really don't need a "helper" because I live by myself, my husband is in the XXXXXXX and comes home XXXXXXXX so I really don't need a house helper, but we decided to get her so she can have lodging and food. she cleans a very small room, does my laundry and do some marketing (we usually eat out). God pays for her miscellaneous fees, daily allowance, books, uniform, her tuition fee is Free (from the school). She is from XXXXXXXXX. I earn way lower here in XXXXXX but for some reason, God provides...I really don't know how we get by and we are supporting 2 people.
From Aldy Jr. (Aug 2, 2013, Friday, 8:51am via Email)
ReplyDeleteEvery Believer is led by God in different ways. They are given different calling to address His will and His purpose in our world. It would be unfair to say that he/ she is not doing his part in addressing poverty (one of the greatest need that is discussed in the Bible). To say that, would be judging and assuming things from its face value.
On the other hand, it is the Lord who can truly judge if we are doing our part or not. At the end of the day, it is most important that we obey and follow what the Lord wills for our life. Like myself, I believe that the Lord has given me the calling and the strength to organize, connect and lead teams that would eventually connect to local churches that would be able to pinpoint, help and disciple those who are most needy (children) and disciple them to also reach out for others. Our ministry in Operation Christmas Child, is a clear manifestation of the Lord's great plan to let the poorest of the poor children, who have no one and no where to run, to know that the Lord sees them and reaches out to them in a very real way. We have seen not only children transformed but families and communities transformed through the local churches that partner with OCC, all by the grace and power of the Lord.
In short, our role and the local churches are different, but very connected in helping the marginalized in the communities for a long term spiritual growth.
Aldy Jr.
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alex chun (August 3, 2013, Saturday, 3:48pm, via Email)
To
Aldrico T.L. Dy Jr.
Hi Bro Aldy,
Yes, you are right, to say that believers are not doing anything regarding poverty is judging and assuming things. With so much poverty all around, one way or another, serious Christians MUST be doing their part with helping the poor. BUT many are silent about it, unlike other religions, so we, Christians, are perceived to be passive or indifferent.
Should we not make known what charitable endeavors we are doing, so that others may be inspired to emulate?
Holistic approach to evangelism and ministry is the in thing now a days and what you are doing in "Operation Christmas Child" is very relevant. I praise God for all your sacrifices to get all those gifts to the children!
Thank you very much for participating in this exercise. I have observed that poverty is an issue where much reactions are received and many feels strong sentiments about. It is not a neutral issue.
God bless!
alex
From Mimi C (August 2, 2013, friday, 7:31am, via Email)
ReplyDeleteAs Christians we should show love by helping the least of our brothers but we should also let them know they have a responsibility. The problem is most of the time they feel it is our obligation to help them but this should not be so. Sometimes they take advantage of their situation and become more lazy to look for a way to alleviate their poverty. Of course some of them really need our help that is why we should have a discerning spirit. We might be pouring so much help to those undeserving that we neglect those who are really deserving of our help, of the resources that God allowed us to have in able to help them. We should remember we also need to be good steward of God’s blessing.
Thank you for your blog kuya,
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Christian should be involve in the alleviation of poverty as an expression of faith and love for the poor. If Jesus commanded us to love our enemy, how much more with those poor people just around us? I agree with what other people are saying that "it is their fault(they are lazy or whatever we observed)". But I also consider the fact that they are spiritually in bondage of sin. Besides not all people are lazy but they don't really have the opportunity to have a job.
For me the better way to help the poor is to teach them about livelihood especially people who are physically strong not just giving money because they will just be spoiled. Giving is also good if we see people who are no longer capable of working like the sick and old. This opportunity will also help us connect the gospel into their lives so that transformation happen not only in their physical but in their spiritual life.
Thank you very much, Kuya Jeff, for responding to my request! It's a great help.
DeleteYes, you are right in emphasizing about livelihood and teaching them how to fish instead of giving them the fishes. This is the way for the poor to truly regain the dignity that God had envisioned those who are created in His image.
Because if this, only those who would like to be helped should benefit. It's of no use to force people who are not interested to train. Discernment is seriously needed so that we would be able to spot the deserving people so that they will have access to the assistance that we would be extended. We, Christians, have to be good stewards of the limited valuable resources at our disposal. God bless you!
From Dean Uy (August 3, 2013, Saturday, 4:13pm, via email)
ReplyDeleteI believe that Christians, in order to be relevant in our society, should show the love of God by actively and conscientiously help the poor, not only in sharing the Gospel, but more relevantly through attending to their needs. This will not only gain their trust in us but also to regain their dignity that a human being created in the image of God ought to be. All we have to do is to be sensitive to their needs, open our eyes, extend our hands and be ready with the Gospel in the way they can understand.
How could I share to a brother the heavenly realms and promises when he have an empty stomach? How I could I put a smile on his face when he doesn’t know where to get next the food of his young ones? It is our ethical responsibility to balance our ministry, to adopt a holistic approach in order to be understood and be our poor brother’s keeper. It is timely that our words be translated into actions so that our lives are the Bible that they will read! We need to ask God for wisdom for the wise use of His resources being given to us to share to our brothers in need.
Empathy is putting yourself in someone else disposition. Sometimes it invites risks. And risk is a part to get out of our comfort zones. Being vulnerable to others, we are can also be open for abuse. For all we know, when we extend our open hands to help them, they may even grab our arms as well. To illustrate further, a story was told of a man who saw a bee floundering around in the water. He decided to save it by stretching out his finger, but the bee stung him. The man still tried to get the bee out of the water, but the bee stung him again. Another man nearby told him to stop. But he said: “It is in the nature of bees to sting. It is in my nature to care. Why should I give up?” The less privileged can be as meek as a dove but as dangerous as vultures. We also need to ask God for wisdom and protection against the abuse of our kindness. We need to be as meek as a sheep but wise as a fox. The point is, not only that Jesus empathizes with us but He never ever gave us up to the point of His death.
Many missions in the past succeed because missionaries understood the needs of the people, they fought and sacrifice for it even with their lives and the people eventually saw the Gospel in them. Our poor Filipino brothers are also our mission. They are right in front of us. Maybe by getting more involved in their lives, many will be ushered into the kingdom of God!
Dean uy
August, 2013
DeleteFrom
alex chun (August 3, 2013, Saturday, 4:57pm, via email)
To
dean uy
Dear Bro Dean,
I can sense the passion you have for this topic. I can also feel your heartbeat with every word that you wrote. Thank you very much for the time that you spent in responding to my request. I will also be consulting you from time to time regarding MGC Pilipino Worship service's dealings with the Urban poor. By the way, we will be starting a feeding program in the squatter community near our Church. This is in cooperation with CCT. If you know of anyone who would like to volunteer in anyway, please let me know! It will be on Saturdays starting at 5am cooking until 12:30noon. Target is 700 children 3-12 yrs old.
God bless you and your family!
alex
Christian ministry should not only be focused on the spiritual aspects of life but holistically. While we were in church planting in a village in northern Luzon there was a girl whose family was not able to send her to school what we did was we took her with us send her to school and provided for her needs. When we moved to Baguio we took her to live with us so that she can study in the university. Little by little we can touch and help the poor around us. In those villages in the early 90's the poor are not able to buy medicines because they are expensive. So what we did, we organized the people of the community through the concept of "risk sharing" that started the seed money to start "Botika Binhi" serves as the local pharmacy making the medicines affordable and available to the poor and the community thus starting a transformation. God bless you kuya alex!
ReplyDeleteHi Kuya Che, we miss you! How are things going in Kibungan? La Trinidad?
DeleteSayang hindi kami matutuloy sa inyo this ministry week!
Regarding the issue of poverty, MGC Pilipino Worship will be partnering with CCT to reach out to 700 children living in the squatter's area near our Church. We will start with feeding, but will slowly go into teaching them how to save money, training them in livelihood programs, making available micro-financing and helping them train in order for them to be employed. We will be the ones to facilitate their employment. I am excited with the projects that are coming up. It opens up so much opportunities for holistic ministry to prosper.
Please say "hi" at Ate Elsa for me.
God bless you, Ate Elsa, and the rest of the family!
From: Zenaida Sarmiento
ReplyDeleteTo: alex chun
Sent: Sunday, August 4, 2013 10:35 PM
Subject: comments
There is really a huge gap between the rich and the poor in our society. A Christian must always have the spirit of generosity toward the poor. I do believe that generosity stems from the heart of those who experienced God’s grace. God expected this kind of generosity from His people as what is written in Deuteronomy 15:7-11. This I read in my devotion which is related to your topic hope will help you.
In Deuteronomy 15,Moses emphasized the reality of poverty and how the more affluent must deal with it. They are warned of four dangers:
A hard heart, ignoring the needs of the poor(v.7)
A closed hand, withholding what the poor lacked(v.7).
An evil thought, hesitating or refusing to loan money to the poor because the year of cancelling debts was nearing(v.9)
A grudging spirit,a reluctance to satisfy the needs of the poor among them(v.10)
Not only they were warned about selfishness, but more important, they were encouraged to be spontaneously generous(vv.8,10,11)
I believe that what we have are only entrusted to us by God and we need to share it with others who are in need ,not only material things , I agree with you we must involve ourselves in their lives.
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From
alex chun
To
Zenaida Sarmiento
Hi Ate Aida,
Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to respond to my request. At na tapat o tinapat ni LORD na Deuteronomy 15 pa ang devotion mo. I'll be using these as reference if I would be encouraging others to help the poor.
God bless you and your family! Thank you for supporting continually the AWANA Sunday school.
alex
From: Kate Reyes
ReplyDeleteTo: alex chun
Sent: Monday, August 5, 2013 11:12 AM
Subject: In reply to article regarding poverty
As Christians, we are told to follow and obey Christ, aiming to be like him. If we will take this task seriously, then we should get involve with the pain be it poverty, broken heartedness or loneliness of our fellowmen. We should go beyond our comfort zone to do what needs to be done. Regarding extend, i guess it would be the holy spirit who would instruct us regarding our specific role in this endeavor.
But one thing is for sure, it is not enough to give money, i realized that by immersing myself around those i need do i develop the passion to love them. It is only when we go out of our way to reach out do we develop the compassion. I agree with the article...we have to get down and be prepared to get dirty.
Christianity is a lifestyle not only a belief...people would not know how much you care until you reach out and actually care for them. But true Christianity would also entail us to have a paradigm shift...do what Jesus did and not what Romans do..
Re: In reply to article regarding poverty
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From
alex chun
To
Kate Reyes
kathyreyes115@gmail.com
Hi Ate Kate,
Thank you very much for your response to my request. It is a great help!!! Despite your busy schedule, you still took time to reply. I praise God for this.*:) happy
Money is the easiest way to comfort our guilty conscience. Whether we admit it or not, all feels they have some kind of moral duty to help the poor. It is also the first step towards more involvement with them. Life transformation among the poor would only take place if Christians show the love of Christ in action through sacrificial immersion of some kind. This is not easy, but everyone, after being made aware, could slowly get started.
God bless you! Thank you very much for helping in the AWANA Sunday school & our Literacy program!
alex