Christian Mission and Poverty

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Christian Mission and Poverty

in the mission of Jesus will do well to regularly audit their engagement with the poor in their own community. As we learn to love the poor in our midst we are better prepared to love the poor in increasingly distant places, even to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Table 2: Missional Practices, Neighborhood Audits, and Participation in Christ’s Mission to the Poor

Audit Category

Notes

In both the Old Testament and in the New Testament (1 Tim5) care for elders, especially for elderly women, is an important aspect of mission. Churches today might include not only the elderly, but also the many single parents who struggle to care for children while living in challenging situations. Where are the elderly in your community? Are there forgotten elders with needs your church could meet? Are there single parents you might come alongside to encourage in some way? Participation in Christ’s mission in the world always brings blessings. What blessings might you miss by not participating in these missional opportunities? Jesus loves children, and he has taught his followers to love them too. North American society today places a low value on unwanted children. Unwanted orphans in the womb are often killed before they are born. Once born, unwanted children are often placed in unwelcoming homes. Where in your community is there opportunity for you as an individual or as a community of disciples to welcome orphans? Howmight you work for a more just society that loves and welcomes all children into safe and secure homes?

Care for “Widows”

Care for “Orphans”