CHAPTER 8

August 11, 2007 by Roger.

RICHES FOR THE POOR

Since the majority of the world lives in an economic environment that is radically
different than that of those who send forth evangelists, it is imperative that sending brethren
seek in some way to understand the environment of the poor. It is important to understand
the plight of the poor in order to better communicate the gospel across cultures to those who
have little economic hope. There is a tremendous receptivity among lower income people
simply because their attention is not in bondage to that which wealth can buy. For this
reason, therefore, a concerted effort must be made to preach the gospel of hope to those who
are trapped in economically adverse conditions. Therefore, allow me in an inadequate
literary manner, unfold to you the real poverty of this world. “Poverty is the open-mouth,
relentless hell which yawns beneath civilized society.” So said Henry George in Progress
and Poverty. And so it is true today in much of the Third World.
The word “plight” according to Webster, is “a condition, state of affairs, or situation;
especially now, a dangerous or awkward situation.” And that’s exactly the situation of the
poverty stricken environment of many of our Third World brethren. Poverty is the plight of
the poor. Milton expressed the predicament, “This miserable loathsome plight.” Just ask
anyone of those millions who scrounge each day for another morsel of food. That person
will thoroughly agree that his plight is miserable and loathsome and awkward and dangerous.
Jesus did remind us that the poor are always with us. And how right He was. The poor,
the materially destitute, have always been and always will be. I guess that’s just life. And
life can be so cruel.
(This series of blogs compose a book that carry the title, “Making Disciples In A Global Community.” )
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