Cornerstone Curriculum, Official Certification Edition

32 / CORNERSTONE CURRICULUM STUDENT WORKBOOK

(but not biblical) belief that those in poverty deserve to be there. We have all been influenced by the strong notion of the protestant work ethic. This is the belief that if we are prepared, attentive, and thrifty enough poverty will not come our way. Yet that is not the picture the Bible paints. Certainly, one of the causes of poverty is unwise moral choices. Yet it is not the only cause. For example, Luke 16.19-31 points out a person could be poor because of neglect. It’s not hard to find examples where the citizens work hard, but the people are exploited by corrupt leaders of industry and/or government. Among other poverty causes we find in Scripture are the weather, sickness, being old, unexpected loss of a spouse – the list is lengthy. We all are affected by the fall described in Genesis 3, and poverty is one of the results. The first step in empowering the poor is to realize the Bible positions poverty as a condition, not an identity. Viewing poverty this way is essential because it is foundational to redemptive poverty work. We can work among the poor without toxicity because the Kingdom of God is here. Let this brief overview launch you into deeper study, renewing the ideas you may have about the poor and their neighborhoods.

1

R edemp t i v e P ov e rt y W ork

Recite and/or sing the Nicene Creed (located in the Appendix).

Nicene Creed

Memorize Matthew 25.45 in a standard Bible translation (not a paraphrase version, e.g. The Message ) and grade yourself using the scripture-memory-form.doc.

Scripture Memory

To prepare for class, refer to the schedule for this course to see what assignments are due before your next class meeting and complete the

Assignments

assignments below: Read the following:

• Redemptive Poverty Work – “Introduction” and “A Brief Theological Reflection” (pages 11-22)