The richest people on earth

  This blog is written in response to some discussion we had in class last Monday with Chris. He asked me to write on the topic of poverty after some great discussion. The topic comes from the question "How do we best serve the poor?" Before we go there i want us to think about another question, What is poverty? Make a mental note or write a few things down.

  Poverty is often defined by money. I would safely bet that money is the first thing on every ones list. And when we think poverty we see a slum in South America, or a village in Africa. we see the poster child who is suffering from malnutrition. these all are the faces of poverty. but is the lack of food and water the definition? maybe, its possible. Authors Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert  believe the root problem of poverty is lack of relationships and self worth.

  In a three volume set called "the voices of the poor" a man said, "No one needs us, we are like garbage that everyone wants to get rid of." so now back to my first question, How do we best serve the poor? We can and we have given money, food, water, clothes and other items to the poor, and when this is done responsibly its a good thing. But i don't believe its enough to get them out of poverty. another man says "If you are poor, you will always be poor." this is probably coming from a guy who is getting help. His problem is, he does not feel any value.

  Value. these people feel like they have none. these people(keep in mind that these people are made in gods image) feel no joy love or hope. They feel like "the garbage everyone wants to get rid of." so my answer (and you can take this or leave it) is that we can best serve the poor by loving and having a relationship with them.

  To help my point come across clearly i want to tell a brief story of a man in Guatemala. He is a missionary who has lived there his entire life. and his ministry is centered around a group of young boys who live in the physical definition of poverty. they have little food, water, clothing and even parents. most live with grandparents. and the life expectancy is 24 years old. but amazingly, these young boys don't know they live in poverty. sure they see all the brokenness around them, but they feel rich because of the red haired white dude that gives them love, attention, and the occasional handful of candy. and eventually he hopes to move these boys out of the city to his boys home located several miles away from the city.

  After following him around for a week i saw him giving love, attention, and the most important thing he can give, the good news of Jesus. Now i know you are thinking cliche`. but its true. these families that are in over their heads in poverty are happy and full of joy. In fact, we could all learn a lesson from them. because they are some of the richest people on earth.

 So thats what i think on the subject, and its all opinion. hope you all enjoyed