The Ellipse

“For you always have the poor with you…” Jesus (Matthew 26:11)

The contrasts between Mongolia and Franklin, Tennessee are flat out Brobdingnagian (Yeah, I’ve been waiting to use that five-dollar word for a long time. With the new Gulliver’s Travels movie coming out, maybe this will become a popular new adjective?) The above photo is not one that will ever be taken close to my home in Franklin. I'm currently living in a place that's prosperous and wealthy, and an epicenter for contemporary Christian culture, music, art, literature and more. Honestly, today, as I was driving down the oak and maple lined downtown streets and sliding by my favorite Starbucks store in the world, I have to admit that this is truly an ideal place to spend a one-year home assignment. I love our home church. I love the fellowship and community that we experience here. And while I do feel a bit disconnected (even now after 8 months), I must say that this is Hobbiton for me. It’s the Shire. It’s everything that represents comfort and home, this side of heaven. At least, for me. I know I am sometimes critical of America, American culture and often of what has become my hometown. However, ultimately, this is probably the one place in the world I would choose to be, if I that choice were mine to make.

In Mongolia we work with some of the very poor. In Franklin (while I was pastoring) our church was (and still is) located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city. This was intentional. Far too often, James 1:27 takes on a rendering of “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: … to keep oneself unstained from the world.” So we live our lives and protect our children and do what we can to keep from “worldly defilement,” at least as far as that meets our definition. The ellipsis is “to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.” Care for the poor and for the “least of these” is not an option, nor is it even an obligation. If I understand what the Bible teaches correctly, it’s something Christians do. Period. It’s unfortunate that things like social and economic justice have been so horribly politicized in the evangelical church, to the point that many people who hold to a conservative theology (it’s probably true in politics, as well) are downright afraid of this kind of work. Someone told me recently that they would not go to a church that uses language like “justice”, for fear that they’d have sold out the Gospel. That’s simple ignorance I suppose, but “justice” is Biblical language, and is at the very heart of the Gospel and needs to be practiced and demonstrated by the church. However, that’s a discussion for another article on another day.

The question I bring up is the way we work help the poor. How do we intervene? I’ve observed work with the poor in Mongolia and in Franklin and I’ve worked with the poor in both of these places. The way is not always clear. Issues can be complicated. Contexts can be tough to discern. Perhaps one of the most helpful books I’ve read on this subject is Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert’s “When Helping Hurts.” Anyone working under the auspices of the Gospel to help the poor must read this. Not all poverty is created equal. Sometimes the need is relief, sometimes it’s rehabilitation and sometimes the real work is in development. Not every situation we run into requires immediate relief. Some require long-term, well planned and strategized development.

This is article very intentionally for those who care about “the ellipse” of James 1:27 and know that Jesus wants His followers to serve the most powerless in our society. In other words, if you’re reading this and you don’t really care: stop reading blogs and go read your Bible until Jesus changes your heart, you repent and you do begin to care.

For those who do care and who are working with the poor and powerless, I think it’s important for us to understand that there are two ways we can fail, with best intentions. Many know that serving the poor is important, even required. Some may study the right ways and means for serving the poor. However, there can often be a lack of genuine love and concern for people as human beings, to the point where action is minimal, at best. This is knowledge knowledge without zeal. While that’s definitely a potential fail, I don’t think it’s the common one. Maybe in some academic circles. Maybe a stray theologian. But most people who are actually getting their hands dirty will face the other potential fail.

There’s a greater problem, particularly among Americans working with the poor, both domestic and foreign. We have such abundance and great means. So we try to give away massive amounts of money, food, clothes and more - with great zeal, but with no knowledge. Without intention we give in such a way that we even cause harm to the recipients. Zeal without knowledge is a fail we need to face.

This would not be the place to deal with this question in a comprehensive manner. The issues are complex and even a little unclear in many cases. However, I would like to propose that before beginning extensive ministry to the poor and the powerless, the following to be considered:

1. Read the Bible with intensity and let the Holy Spirit put His heart for people (particularly the poor) into your psyche. That will consist of learning what it means to love people with a whole heart, fervently.

2. Have real-time conversations with the people you serve, with the honest intension of learning from them. Arrogance is the American’s greatest relational obstacle when working cross-culturally. We must recognize when we are being wise in our own eyes and learn what it means to become a true servant.

3. Learn the difference between relief, rehabilitation and development; and learn when each of these should be applied. In most situations I have observed, relief is being administered when the real need is rehabilitation or development. The work of relief tends to be the easiest and provides quick and immediate gratification. However, the longer, harder work of rehabilitation and development is seldom even considered, let alone really practiced. We need more long-term thinking that leads to long-term solutions and less flash-in-the-pan.

I highly recommend two resources for further reading on this subject. “When Helping Hurts” by Fikkert and Corben along with another book entitled “Building a People of Power” by David Linthicum are “must read” resources for working with the poor and disenfranchised, in any context. I’d love to get your reaction to these both of these books.

What do you think about the issue? How do we best help the poor from a Biblical and a pragmatic perspective? DO you know of other helpful resources that bring greater understanding to how we help the poor? “The Ellipse” cannot be ignored. However, we should give serious thought to how we “help without hurting.”

Comments

[Chas]

The other night, Barb and I were serving at a church in Milwaukee. There was a woman there who appeared to be "poor" if not homeless. I felt moved to offer her a hug. I chickened out. I have felt convicted about that missed opportunity since then. I've already committed to not only getting that hug, but, thanks to God's inspiration through you, learn something from her. This was a timely blog for me. Thanks buddy.

[Unro]

I like reading your blog once in a while. They are very interesting, sometimes sad and I learn a lot

[Noel Horton]

Interesting blog, Bernie. As a co-laborer in Mongolia, I have had some of the same questions. Another resource to consider is Robert Lupton's book Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life (Regal, 2007). World magazine had a couple of articles on Lupton written by their chief editor, Marvin Olasky ("City Smarts" June 09, 2007, Vol. 22, No. 21; and "Wins and Losses" October 22, 2005, Vol. 20, No. 41). Lupton has the advantage of being more than a theoretician. Thanks for the reminder that compassion is not an option and that it means more than "throwing money to put out a fire."

[bernie]

@Chaz - Glad this was an encouraging for you. Praying for you and Barb as you seek to be Jesus to the people God has put in your path.

@Unro - Unshsan bayarlalaa. Sanaj bn shuu! Sain bga biz? 6 sard Mongold butzj ireed dahiad ulzie! :)

@Noel - Thanks for mentioning Lupton's book. I have not read it, but I have heard it is quite good. I may try to pick it up. Grace to you as you labor in Ulaanbaatar! I look forward to meeting you guys in June!

[Tweets that mention Remember M]

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bernie Anderson, Bernie Anderson. Bernie Anderson said: The Ellipse of James 1:27: How should we really help the poor? New Blog at RememberMongolia.org: http://tinyurl.com/5refccr [...]