Demystifying Poverty
More than 10 years ago I came across an unsettling article in a copy of Writer’s Digest magazine which has stuck with me ever since. The article, tucked on the last page of magazine, was written anonymously by a freelance author who specialized in developing promotional material for relief and foreign aid agencies. In the article he confessed a well-kept secret in the industry which he had (and continued) to be a part of. The organizations learned early on what best motivated people to give financially for the poor throughout the “third-world”, which included powerful images of impoverished and malnurished people, gratefully and humbly receiving our gifts and support.
The problem was that the poor in these places, be it Africa, Asia or South America, were not the saintly, stoic people who were the “absolute victims” of poverty. Rather, many were as riddled with the complications of poverty, both causal and consequential. The communities dealt with the oft present challenges of abuse, addiction, racism, and much more. Further, there was not guartuntee that the aid given would not be abused, taken for granted or even refused. It was (and is) a serious complex reality. Frankly, it was a fully human situation, with all the good and bad that inevitably entails. It was not, however, the pretty picture they needed to promote the cause.
Therefore, professional writers and marketer were hired to created a new image of the global poor, one that was more palatable to potential donors. As expected, the donations soon flooded in. Behind closed doors, the technique was considered acceptable for the greater good. Missions agencies are also often complicit in this approach. Now, in fairness, this is not a practice of every agency, and even those who have or do utilize this technique are slowly improving. However, a great deal of damage has already been done. We have shaped the worldview of millions in their understanding of world poverty.
We must guard, however, against the opposite extremes. Many who are coming to terms with this myth we have created and embraced make the mistake of abandoning our global responsibilities for the sake of the local. First, this fails to acknowledge the calling Christ made of His disciples to go into all nations, a call upon the whole Church. Second, it fails to understand that our lives, choices, economies, governments, etc. do not function in a vacuum. So much the economic, political, environment and cultural devastation experienced around the world come as a result of our so called wealth and freedom. There is NO disconnect. We need to be both locally and globally aware and engaged.
Our compassionate response to the needs of people throughout the world must be motivated- yes, by emotions that reflect the heart of God, but also by obedience to God’s eternal vocation for all His people, by the acknowledgement that where much is given much is required, by a recognition that (in the words of Lilla Watson) our own salvation is caught up together, as God seeks to reconcile all of Creation into the perichoretic dance of Love.
Wow. Thanks, Jamie.
Mike,
Thanks… but do tell? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear what you think. Sadly, I lost the copy of that Writer’s Digest article and can’t seem to find the back issue. Alas!
Peace,
Jamie
Personally, I think that we’ve become too analytic in choosing how to love others. Whether this is a modernistic development or just a human rationalization, I don’t know.
Nevertheless, the call to help the poor is a mandate to build our own character. Giving is a need. Over analysis—as in needs analysis—robs us of redemptive power and robs the needy of resources.
We’re all screwed up. Especially those who have everything in proper order. Giving to others is therapeutic. Let’s encourage others to love and good deeds.
Bill,Sadly, we are constantly trying to categotize these issues. We use terms like “third world” or “developing world”, which condescends, oversimplifies and arrogantly/ignorantly uses ourselves as the standard of measure. We’ve tried to come up with a new name, but it resists being defined.I believe, in part, that it resists defining in these terms because it is a false premise, as though “their” problems were not ours too. However, I am very hopeful, as I see the tide turning.Peace,Jamie
Ah, I wanted to acknowledge gratitude for the thoughts, which I found both interesting and an appropriate/necessary exhortation, but I didn’t have the brain power to be verbose about it.
Now I’m at work, so my brain is demanded for other tasks. I’ll see if I can do better later.
I think a good way to learn is to find out from churches that make this a priority in their service. Learn from them. We have a number of such churches in this area, that at least are attempting to make this a priority.
I resonate with what you’re saying here Jamie. It’s a good heads up for me. Thanks.
Thats one reason why I’m grateful for our small little congregations we attend – both the synagogue in Winnipeg and the church in Sprague are wise with their use of funds and give both to missions abroad and here at home.
However, one thing I’d like to make mention of (if you don’t mind) are the native ministries here in Canada. I’ve met with quite a few of the native ministry leaders in the past two years, and most of them are struggling at best – most people have become so focussed on giving to the large ministries and missions that they forget about the small-timers who don’t get the same kind of “advertising” so-to-speak.
Good thoughts, Jamie. Yes, poverty is a mess that gets scarier the more you let yourself become involved with the people trapped in it. If you do a weekend outreach once in a great while you have these “magical” moments with the homeless where everything seems to come together and you go home and feel you’ve done your good thing. Which you have. But then comes the risk of actually becoming these people’s friend…how far do you let them in? Would you have them to your home for dinner? Do you give them your cell phone number? What happens when they keep messing up?
We have walked and are still walking with our friend Dave through being passed out in the park, offering a shower and a place out of the cold, through his acceptance of Christ, to his going to a rehab program, to his falling off the wagon two hours out, to letting him go his way, to yelling at him, to his father’s death, to going back to a life of crime, to being drunk and alone in the park again and now he wants to go back to rehab and get back in church…that cycle was a year and a half and it wasn’t pretty. I still don’t kow if he’ll make it.
Aaron, my partner, went home to speak to some supporters of our ministry and told them about our and Dave’s failures. There is no “magical” success story to tell…yet. And maybe never but until the poor aren’t just the poor but our friends…our real friends, we’ll do nothing.
Poverty is not economics or social standing…poverty is being alone. Our job is not to make the poor rich but to be with them. I like what you said…incarnational…a big word that means to flesh out what you say in the real world. Jesus is “God WITH us”. Yes, giving is important but the poor don’t need things just like the rich don’t need things. We need God. We need each other.
Poverty is messy. Sin is messy. Life is messy. And so, dare I say, is the Kingdom of God, at least between the now and the not yet.
Very thought-provoking and well-articulated. I will be sharing these thoughts with others…after I am sure I have challenged myself with this truth.
Ted,
What are those churches doing? Any good stories or examples? Do share!
Peace,
Jamie
Chris,
Well said.
Peace,
Jamie
Micah Girl,
Let me know how those conversations go!
Peace,
Jamie
Here in Grand Rapids, Michigan I think it’s common for churches (and surely true, most places) to work with agencies- government and Christian- in helping the poor.
The church we’re about to join gathers food to be sent to an area church that evidently has a large pantry that is used for poor families and people in this area.
Our church is just south of Grand Rapids. I do need to find out more of what we do. We have seen the church already, active in helping its own in trouble, when the church itself is struggling financially.
I was on the board of a church at one time, which helped the poor after finding out their financial situation. Certainly we used agencies as well as helping them ourselves. But it was always contingent on them, individuals or families, agreeing to some counseling on finances. We certainly did not require them to be Christians. But it was believed that this was the best course since we saw people struggling with debt issues and not seeming to be managing their finances well or much at all.
There are a number of megachurches in this area, including Mars Hill Bible Church and Rob Bell. I don’t know what they’re doing, but surely we could learn some things from them. I will find out some things, what I can, from some of them.
Thanks Jamie.
“The starving African exists as a point in space from which we measure our own wealth, success, and prosperity, a darkness against which we can view our own cultural triumphs. And he serves as a handy object of our charity. He is evidence that we are blessed, and we have an obligation to spread that blessing… Starvation clearly delineates us from them.”
- Michael Maren, “The Road to Hell: The Ravaging Effects of Foreign Aid and International Charity”
Just one of the many challenges of my job – trying to communicate the complicated issues around poverty and hunger, and get them to engage in a deeper way than just “charity”. We strongly resist what we call “hunger pornography”, though it’s an easy trap to fall into.
It was great to meet you in Mississauga, Jamie! I look forward to your thoughts on the Micah Challenge meetings.
Heather,
It was great meeting you too. I appreciate all that you do in the world. We in YWAM have faced the same challenges (and been guilty of what I write above). I appreciate the “hungry pornography” term- it is fittingly strong and evocative.
Peace,
Jamie