How To Defeat Poverty Pimps
Don’t use their services, if at all possible
This action is not to “boycott” a group, but just to not take part in their injustice. If we pay or utilize the services or invest in organizations that are making more people poor, then WE are making more people poor. Let us not support the unjust.
Don’t give to charities that take advantage of the poor
Instead of just finding a charity that sounds good, or has a good reputation, visit it. See how the people and volunteers treat the poor and what they really offer them. Don’t believe brochures and ads—go and check it out for yourself to see if it is a charity that treats the poor as people instead of opportunities for themselves.
Write letters to those involved in poverty pimping
Often organizations who are perpetuating poverty don’t even know that they are doing it. If the leaders of an organization can receive a letter—or a number of letters—from community leaders, then they might see what they would never understand, that they are digging people in their own graves. Perhaps the leaders of such organizations and community leaders could get together to come up with creative solutions to meet both the goals of the organization and not cause harm to the poor.
Pray for justice for the poor
The one who will give justice is God alone. He alone knows what justice is and who can receive it. Pray for the poor and so allow God to do the work that He alone can do with full justice.
Get involved with the poor
You will never be able to assist the poor in reality unless you have a relationship with the poor. If one quarter of the members of middle class churches had a relationship with one homeless person, then the entire world would be a different place. Go to a mission or soup kitchen and meet people. See if there is someone there you can connect with. Don’t look to “help” them right off. Rather, just get to know them and care for them as people, not projects.
Give opportunities for the poor to escape the poverty pimps
If you know of some poor people in serious debt, see if the church could pay off the debt and then have the poor person pay it back at no interest. Yes, you are taking a chance that the poor person might take advantage of you, but can the church afford it if they do?
Give to the poor what will certainly be helpful
When you help the poor, do not give in a vacuum, not really knowing their needs, assuming you do know. Rather, ask, and seek God’s wisdom. Don’t refuse to give, for this is not loving, but seek the real need of people. Be creative—maybe they need socks, a shower, some food, a safe place to sleep, a temporary job.
Provide permanent solutions for the poor, especially those who are committed to Jesus
As you get to know the poor, you will see their needs more clearly. As time goes on, seek permanent solutions for them through the Christian community. Over time, perhaps God will lead you to do things that you might otherwise never do—help the addict overcome their addiction; help the single mom raise her child; help a prostitute find a way out of the lifestyle. Allow God to lead you into what you can handle, who you can really help as a Christian community.
This action is not to “boycott” a group, but just to not take part in their injustice. If we pay or utilize the services or invest in organizations that are making more people poor, then WE are making more people poor. Let us not support the unjust.
Don’t give to charities that take advantage of the poor
Instead of just finding a charity that sounds good, or has a good reputation, visit it. See how the people and volunteers treat the poor and what they really offer them. Don’t believe brochures and ads—go and check it out for yourself to see if it is a charity that treats the poor as people instead of opportunities for themselves.
Write letters to those involved in poverty pimping
Often organizations who are perpetuating poverty don’t even know that they are doing it. If the leaders of an organization can receive a letter—or a number of letters—from community leaders, then they might see what they would never understand, that they are digging people in their own graves. Perhaps the leaders of such organizations and community leaders could get together to come up with creative solutions to meet both the goals of the organization and not cause harm to the poor.
Pray for justice for the poor
The one who will give justice is God alone. He alone knows what justice is and who can receive it. Pray for the poor and so allow God to do the work that He alone can do with full justice.
Get involved with the poor
You will never be able to assist the poor in reality unless you have a relationship with the poor. If one quarter of the members of middle class churches had a relationship with one homeless person, then the entire world would be a different place. Go to a mission or soup kitchen and meet people. See if there is someone there you can connect with. Don’t look to “help” them right off. Rather, just get to know them and care for them as people, not projects.
Give opportunities for the poor to escape the poverty pimps
If you know of some poor people in serious debt, see if the church could pay off the debt and then have the poor person pay it back at no interest. Yes, you are taking a chance that the poor person might take advantage of you, but can the church afford it if they do?
Give to the poor what will certainly be helpful
When you help the poor, do not give in a vacuum, not really knowing their needs, assuming you do know. Rather, ask, and seek God’s wisdom. Don’t refuse to give, for this is not loving, but seek the real need of people. Be creative—maybe they need socks, a shower, some food, a safe place to sleep, a temporary job.
Provide permanent solutions for the poor, especially those who are committed to Jesus
As you get to know the poor, you will see their needs more clearly. As time goes on, seek permanent solutions for them through the Christian community. Over time, perhaps God will lead you to do things that you might otherwise never do—help the addict overcome their addiction; help the single mom raise her child; help a prostitute find a way out of the lifestyle. Allow God to lead you into what you can handle, who you can really help as a Christian community.
posted by Steve Kimes at 11:40 AM
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