Foundations for Christian Mission, Student Workbook, SW04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

The concept of the poor is built on the biblical vision of shalom, or wholeness: shalom is the Hebrew term for “fullness of human community in fellowship with God and with one another.” The biblical elements of shalom include the experience of health and wellness, safety and protection from harm, harmony between neighbors, prosperity and material sufficiency, and the absence of malice and conflict–genuine peace. It also includes the idea of shalom as God’s gracious provision, as is connected with the coming of the Messiah who is the Prince of shalom , as well as shalom as the standard for the people of God. Poverty is the denial of God’s shalom ; his blessing and provision were given to prevent the occurrence of poverty, and the commands to the covenant community were designed to ensure justice and righteousness among Yahweh’s people. The Exodus embodies God’s identification with the poor and the oppressed, revealing his heart of justice and creating his covenant community which was called to be a reflection of his holiness, a model of justice and mercy, and a beacon for the nations. The Scriptures define several causes of poverty, including natural disaster and calamity (e.g., famine, drought, storm, etc.), personal laziness and slothfulness (e.g., bad decisions, immoral character, idleness, hard-heartedness, etc.), and oppression and injustice from the hands of the powerful (e.g., mistreatment, exploitation, defrauding wages, etc.). The term “the poor” in the Scriptures is linked to a number of different concepts which serve as synonyms, including “the widow,” “the fatherless,” and the “stranger.” God’s covenant standards give witness of his heart accepted norm and rule. One mission agency, in an attempt to change these kinds of practices, shifted its advertising. Rather than concentrating on the worst situations of the neediest families in their more dire situations, this agency determined to speak of the ways in which the Lord was transforming the lives of the poor. The focus would no longer be on the past, but on the future. Some in the organization are not convinced that this will help. They argue that the depiction of the real lives of the poor in their materials is simply telling the plain truth; it is being clear about what is really happening. Furthermore, they argue, that unless people see needs and have a way to help, they won’t care much about the “success stories” we provide. They will be happy for us, but they won’t financially support us. How would you advise this social agency if they asked your opinion about how they ought to communicate their work about the poor? Is there a way to communicate the need of the people without selling the poor out, forcing them to lose their dignity in the ways we raise resources to support them?

Restatement of the Lesson’s Thesis

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