WHAT TO DO WITH WORLD NEED

AND POVERTY?

CCL Open Night 5

EXODUS 22: 20-2820 "Whoever sacrifices to any gods, except the LORD alone, is to be set

apart for destruction.  21 "You must not exploit a foreign resident or

oppress him, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.  22 "You

must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.  23 If you do mistreat

them, they will no doubt cry to Me, and I will certainly hear their cry.  24

My anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will

be widows and your children fatherless.  25 "If you lend money to My

people-- to the poor person among you, you must not be like a

moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest.  26 "If you ever

take your neighbor's cloak as collateral, return it to him before sunset. 

27 For it is his only covering; it is the clothing for his body. What will he

sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will listen because I am

compassionate.  28 "You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader

among your people.

1. THREE BIBLE CAMEOS2. GRAPPLING WITH PROBLEMS:

a) Near vs. farb) Wicked problemsc) Not about classd) Not about guilte) ‘Self-enclosure’

3. A SECULAR PROVOCATEUR4. ‘FAIR TRADE’5. MOVING AHEAD

EXODUS 22:20-2820 "Whoever sacrifices to any gods, except the LORD alone, is to

be set apart for destruction.  21 "You must not exploit a foreign

resident or oppress him, since you were foreigners in the land of

Egypt.  22 "You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 

23 If you do mistreat them, they will no doubt cry to Me, and I will

certainly hear their cry.  24 My anger will burn, and I will kill you

with the sword; then your wives will be widows and your children

fatherless.  25 "If you lend money to My people-- to the poor

person among you, you must not be like a moneylender to him;

you must not charge him interest.  26 "If you ever take your

neighbor's cloak as collateral, return it to him before sunset.  27

For it is his only covering; it is the clothing for his body. What will

he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will listen because I am

compassionate.  28 "You must not blaspheme God or curse a

leader among your people.

LEVITICUS 19:10  

 10 You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen

grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreign resident; I am

the LORD your God.

LEVITICUS 23:22  

22 When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap all the

way to the edge of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.

Leave them for the poor and the foreign resident; I am the LORD your

God."

Based in createdness

Based in createdness Based in community

Based in createdness Based in community Based in God’s character

Based in createdness Based in community Based in God’s character All phrased as strong commands

Based in createdness Based in community Based in God’s character All phrased as strong commands a bigger goal: worship and honour

God alone.

1 Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan who are on the

hill of Samaria, women who oppress the poor and crush the

needy, who say to their husbands, "Bring us something to

drink."  2 The Lord God has sworn by His holiness: Look, the

days are coming when you will be taken away with hooks,

every last one of you with fishhooks.

AMOS 4:1-2 

‘AMOS 5:8-13

 8 The One who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness

into dawn and darkens day into night, who summons the waters of

the sea and pours them out over the face of the earth-- Yahweh is

His name.  9 He brings destruction on the strong, and it falls on the

stronghold.  10 They hate the one who convicts the guilty at the city

gate and despise the one who speaks with integrity.  11 Therefore,

because you trample on the poor and exact a grain tax from him,

you will never live in the houses of cut stone you have built; you will

never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted.  12

For I know your crimes are many and your sins innumerable. They

oppress the righteous, take a bribe, and deprive the poor of justice

at the gates.  13 Therefore, the wise person will keep silent at such a

time, for the days are evil.

AMOS 8:4-8

4 Hear this, you who trample on the needy and do away

with the poor of the land,  5 asking, "When will the New

Moon be over so we may sell grain, and the Sabbath, so we

may market wheat? We can reduce the measure while

increasing the price and cheat with dishonest scales.  6 We

can buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of

sandals and even sell the wheat husks!"  7 The LORD has

sworn by the Pride of Jacob: I will never forget all their

deeds.  8 Because of this, won't the land quake and all who

dwell in it mourn? All of it will rise like the Nile; it will surge

and then subside like the Nile in Egypt.

A particular social situation. Inequities of wealth have become translated into inequities at law.

A particular social situation. Inequities of wealth have become translated into inequities at law.

Note this ancient law:

Exodus 23:3-6: 3 Do not show favoritism to a poor person in his lawsuit. … 6 You must not deny justice to the poor among you in his lawsuit.

Leviticus 19:15: You must not act unjustly when rendering judgment. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly.

A particular social situation. Inequities of wealth have become translated into inequities at law.

Note this ancient law:

Exodus 23:3-6: 3 Do not show favoritism to a poor person in his lawsuit. … 6 You must not deny justice to the poor among you in his lawsuit.

Leviticus 19:15: You must not act unjustly when rendering judgment. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly.

The poor not extra-special … But power often thinks it is extra special!

2 CORINTHIANS 8:7-9

7 Now as you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in

knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us-- excel

also in this grace.  8 I am not saying this as a command.

Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing

the genuineness of your love.  9 For you know the grace of

our Lord Jesus Christ: although He was rich, for your sake

He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become

rich. …

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-15

  6 Remember this: the person who sows sparingly will also reap

sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap

generously.  7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart--

not out of regret or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in

every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in

every good work.  9 As it is written: He has scattered; He has given

to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.  10 Now the One who

provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and

multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness, 

11 as you are enriched in every way for all generosity, which

produces thanksgiving to God through us. 

12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of

the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to

God.  13 Through the proof of this service, they will glorify God for

your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for

your generosity in sharing with them and with others.  14 And in

their prayers for you they will have deep affection for you because

of the surpassing grace of God on you.  15 Thanks be to God for His

indescribable gift.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-15 (CONTINUED)

Does not rely on laws and commands

Relies on createdness, community, character of God

Does not rely on laws and commands

Relies on createdness, community, character of God

Pivots on Jesus’ act to release sinful people into friendship with God.

Does not rely on laws and commands

Relies on createdness, community, character of God

Pivots on Jesus’ act to release sinful people into friendship with God.

Pictures us mirroring God’s generous, free grace

2. GRAPPLING WITH PROBLEMS:

a)Near vs. farb)Wicked problemsc)Not about classd)Not about guilte)‘Self-enclosure’

p.12 Thursday, March 17, 2011 . Opinion SMH

a) Near vs. far

Galatians 6:10 ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.’

Family

Work

Near Neighbor

Far Neighbor

Galatians 6:10 ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.’

Mrs Jellyby

Charles DickensBleak House’ BBC Production 2005

Family

Work

Near Neighbor

Far Neighbor

Galatians 6:10 ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.’

b) Wicked problems …

colonial histories corruption past and present, including some

current corporate practices market distortions, based in current global

trade arrangements

b) Wicked problems …

colonial histories corruption past and present, including some

current corporate practices market distortions, based in current global

trade arrangements lack of education and infrastructure levels of inertia, passivity and distrust in

some cultures war geographic and climate challenges

b) Wicked problems …

JOB 24:1-14

Why does the Almighty not reserve times for judgment? Why

do those who know Him never see His days?  2 The wicked

displace boundary markers. They steal a flock and provide

pasture for it.  3 They drive away the donkeys owned by the

fatherless and take the widow's ox as collateral.  4 They push

the needy off the road; the poor of the land are forced into

hiding.  5 Like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go out to

their task of foraging for food; the wilderness provides

nourishment for their children.  6 They gather their fodder in

the field and glean the vineyards of the wicked.  7 Without

clothing, they spend the night naked, having no covering

against the cold.  8 Drenched by mountain rains, they huddle

against the rocks, shelterless. 

9 The fatherless infant is snatched from the breast; the nursing

child of the poor is seized as collateral.  10 Without clothing, they

wander about naked. They carry sheaves but go hungry.  11 They

crush olives in their presses; they tread the winepresses, but go

thirsty.  12 From the city, men groan; the mortally wounded cry for

help, yet God pays no attention to this crime.  13 The wicked are

those who rebel against the light. They do not recognize its ways

or stay on its paths.  14 The murderer rises at dawn to kill the poor

and needy, and by night he becomes a thief.

JOB 24:1-14 (CONTINUED)

c) Not about class …

d) Not about guilt …

e) ‘Self-aborption’ …

“'Tis not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my

finger".

David Hume

3. A SECULAR PROVOCATEUR

globalised society causes harm to the poor at rest

globalised society causes harm to the poor at rest

disagrees with Jesus' teaching about giving in private

globalised society causes harm to the poor at rest

disagrees with Jesus' teaching about giving in private

favours a universalised standard of giving

globalised society causes harm to the poor at rest

disagrees with Jesus' teaching about giving in private

favours a universalised standard of giving

knows poverty not fixed just by handouts

globalised society causes harm to the poor at rest

disagrees with Jesus' teaching about giving in private

favours a universalised standard of giving

knows poverty not fixed just by handouts

suggests we should push charities to study how their work helps

“Now a confirmed atheist, I have become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa, sharply distinct from the work of secular non government organisations, government projects and international aid projects. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do.In Africa Christianity changes people’s hearts, it brings spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good…

“The Christians were always different. Far from having cowed or confined into converts, their faith appeared to have liberated and relaxed them. There was a liveliness and curiosity, an engagement with the world, a directness in their dealings with others that seemed to be missing from the traditional African way of life. They stood tall.”

Matthew Parris

4. FAIR TRADE

Goals of fair trade …

1) Help producers …

Goals of fair trade …

1) Help producers …2) Help the environment …

Goals of fair trade …

1) Help producers …2) Help the environment …3) Help children …

Goals of fair trade …

1) Help producers …2) Help the environment …3) Help children …4) Help the consumer …

Goals of fair trade …

1) Help producers …2) Help the environment …3) Help children …4) Help the consumer …5) Change the system …

Coffee …

Supply outstrips demand Second most traded

commodity 25 mill producers 70% on less that 25 acres Fair trade certified: about

670,000 smallholder family farmers (old figures)

Chocolate …

three corporations control 83% family farms produce 70% child labour to compete 1500 farms in 4 countries

284,000 used machetes153,00 applied pesticides (no

protection)

64% under 14 40% were girls

Fair trade positives no inflationary effects of ‘middle

men producers earn e.g. double market floor price guaranteed less anxiety about crop ‘social premium’ increased education and

healthcare good for consumer

Fair trade criticisms Standard economics …

(… see Wikipedia, ‘Fair Trade’) Implementation rorts

Wikipedia, ‘Fair trade impact studies’

“Fair trade's higher prices increase gross household income … Participation in fair trade reduces households' debt and enhances their economic options …“Extra capital from fair trade can generate important economic ripple effects within communities, providing additional employment even for nonparticipating families. However, fair trade is not a panacea, and it does not bring the majority of participants out of poverty. “Demand for fair trade products must increase dramatically in order to augment the economic benefits for such small farmer families and allow the system to include many more producers of coffee and other commodities around the world.”

Michigan State Uni academic Daniel Jaffee on Mexico

5. MOVING AHEAD

Challenge your generosity envelope Factor in some research time

Children: UNICEF www.unicef.orgRefugees: UNHCR www.unhcr.org Fair Trade: Tribes and Nations: www.tribesandnations.com.au

Get help, offer help :TEAR www.tear.org.au World Vision Australia www.worldvision.com.au Compassion Australia www.compassion.com.au Anglican Aid www.anglicanaid.org.au