The naked, the hungry, the orphan, the oppressed..

[jcm]

Hi everyone! I'm new here. Anyone from the Philippines?

Anyway, I'm a new Christian and one thing I noticed is that most people seem content with living their lives within the circle of church, family, and friends. There seems to be a lack of effort or concern for alleviating the poverty and injustice around us. Living in a poor country one can't help but be aware of these things. It's just that it seems most people have an easier time pretending nothing is wrong. Now of course we all have our own problems to worry about and we can't all be going off on some fool crusade, but...

I don't want to sound self-righteous (but maybe I am, tell me now! ) but this is something that has really bothered me even before I became a Christian. A lot of it also has to do with being very nationalistic. (I understand this may be a dirty word in some parts of the world.)

I don't know what it's like where you guys are but maybe someone can help.

[Guest Called]

HI JCM! Welcome to Worthy Boards! I am not from the Phillipines, but one of my best friends at church is from there...she is so awesome and we sing karaoke (she says people from the Phillipines love to do that!) Anyway...

I think that the problem for people in America is that we do not see poverty on a daily basis so it is easy to not think about it... That is not right, we should be going to the poor and oppressed and helping them...

Personally, our cell group sponsors a child and sends her money every month to take care of her.. I also try to give to good causes and we have some homeless near where I work and I will buy them food. More important though, than taking care of their physical needs we need to take care of their spiritual needs...

That was a good post and it definitely challenges us to think about what we do to help the poor and oppressed...Thanks...

[Orr v'emet]

JCM, Welcome to Worthy! I would agree with Called in that in America we don't see alot of poverty so it's not an issue that is on alot of folks minds. My hubby grew up in Ethiopia during the famines so he is alot more aware of what it's like to live in third world nations. Consider these verses in Matthew 25:

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Here Jesus is telling us that in our daily lives we should be feeding the hungry, clothing the naked etc. We shouldn't just be concerned about those in our immediate family/friend groups but we should be willing to act in any opportunity that comes our way whether it's buying someone a coke or sending thousands of dollars to charitable agencies.

[Guest ILive4Him]

there are many ways christians help others that no one knows about, that you may not see...and so we do have to be careful of judging others. However I do agree that with the appalling poverty in the world most of us in the west are far too comfortable, spoiled even, and we DO need to be reminded to be givers, not just of finances, but of our love and our time.

I was a homeless street kid in a large city, 30 yrs ago...while many christians ignored me, it was christians who eventually rescued me off the streets, and provided me with a home and family and love.

James Robison has a wonderful ministry to the poor around the world. I love how he feeds the poor and digs wells etc. There are many other wonderful christians working to help. MOre of the church should be helping.

[jcm]

Hey, thanks for the welcome!

How do you bring up the subject without being preachy and judgemental? How do you ask the question, "Where is the love?"?

Called: Yes, we love karaoke!

[BodhiDharma]

I think all Asians love karaoke, hahah.

I have always felt very strongly about helping others. While giving money is great, I find it an easy way out. A very impersonal way of giving. I think one should go out and SEE the person they are helping, do something to touch that persons life. (Also probably a great tool for evangelizing)