Blogger’s all over the world today are discussing poverty for BlogActionDay. There is so much that can be said about such a deep and persistent social inequality. Many social issues such as poverty are a global problem. But can we solve this epidemic globally without going local first?
It’s easier to donate money to an organization that works with African orphans than to seek out how you can meet local needs for people in your own community who are wrestling with poverty. Please don’t stop donating to organizations who work with African orphans. Don’t stop being involved in global issues. But I wonder if we become hypocrites the moment we try to help the poor while keeping our distance from them.
I love how JESUS spoke of the poor and marginalized of society, so long ago on the dusty roads of Israel, it was clear that He identified himself so closely with them in a way that many of us do not:
“…When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, (Mat 25:36) and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.” (Mat 25:37) Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink? (Mat 25:38) When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear (Mat 25:39) or visit you while you were sick or in jail?” (Mat 25:40) The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.”(CEV translation)
Even more for us in the affluent West, is it possible for us to pause our upward mobility long enough to look around at the poor in our local communities to find not only the face of JESUS, but even our own faces.
Consider: poverty is a global issue. We must be involved and aware of global issues regarding the poor. My challenge though for us all is one of re-personalizing and re-localizing poverty through our personal involvement. It’s no longer enough to write a check and walk to the mailbox (although, again, I’m not saying you should stop doing that). The challenge is waiting for us in our own backyards.
____________________________________________________________________
Get your hands in the dirt to feed the poor here: www.EndHunger.org
Listen to Derek Webb’s hard-hitting song about faith, affluence, and the spiritual call to give yourself to the poor:
