Empowering the Poor

Often we may find ourselves thinking about a particularly fruitful church and wondering, ‘what is their secret?’ Why is God blessing that church or ministry in such a way?

As I have pondered these things, I have often observed a common factor that is not always immediately visible. It is that, as a church leans towards the poor, so God leans towards that church. God blesses those who bless and empower the poor.

This is of course not the primary reason why we should be mindful of those among us who are less empowered or privileged than ourselves - we seek to empower the poor because it is an instinctive moral imperative for people seeing to live a godward life and follow the example of Jesus himself. But it is a demonstration of the reality that the gospel really is for the poor, for those who suffer the worst consequences of our broken and dysfunctional and often corrupt world systems. The poor are those who have been robbed of choice and empowerment by systemic failures beyond their immediate control that arise from the rebellion of humanity, and the turning away from God and his sovereign provision for his creation. This breaks God’s heart, and he is so very tender for the poor among us, and leans towards those who also share his heart for the poor.

Reminding churches to seek to empower the poor is a key hallmark of authentic apostolic ministry, "the very thing I was eager to do," as Paul says (Gal 2: 10). Many Western European nations are hugely privileged and substantially resourced; God has entrusted these riches to the nations for a purpose. “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12: 48). Let us not be found lacking in our zeal and sacrificial desire to do all we can reasonably do to empower and dignify those among us who enjoy less advantages than we do ourselves, and to find ways that we can together seek to lift up those in other cultures less privileged than our own.

You can find out more about ways to empower the poor - here.

Every Blessing

Maurice

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