Last weekend saw a major international extravaganza called Live 8 take place on the world stage
Live 8 concerts, which took place in 10 cities around the world, were an attempt to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the very successful Live Aid concerts which delivered much needed aid to starving people in Ethiopia & Somalia in 1985. It was also, on a grander scale, an attempt to be the beginning of the end of world poverty.
What was strange about this event or these events, is that no money was solicited or raised, only signatures. It was promoted as an attempt to raise awareness of the dire need in the 3rd world, and to send a message to the leaders meeting at the G-8 summit in Scotland this week.
There is much I could say regarding the technical and political aspects of the event, but I will try to confine myself to dealing with the more philosophical question of what should the Christian view of poverty be and the answer.
As my dear wife, Vickie, asked at one of the speakers remarks, that we are going to end world poverty, "didn't Jesus say- the poor you shall have with you always?" The answer is yes, He did. So this is the dilema; if Jesus said we will perpetually have the poor among us, how hard should we try to change that? Are we not just chasing our tails?
The obvious answer is that of course we should work continuously to help the poor and to eliminate hunger & disease. The Bible is full of admonitions to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, aid the widow and orphan and so forth. The reality, though, is that while you can win the battles, you cannot ever win that war and actually end poverty, disease, and suffering. It is one of the consequences of the fall. As in everything, God judges the intent of the heart and it is our attitude toward poverty and need that counts as much, if not more than our actions.
One of the great differences in a liberal, secular humanist mindset and a conservative Christian mindset is that the Christian sees a need and asks "what can I do to meet that need?" A liberal humanist mindset, most often, sees a need and asks "how can I get everyone else to meet that need?" That is why there is so often a push to create more and more public projects and to raise taxes. It relieves one of the personal responsibility to give as they are led. If I know that my taxes are going to supposedly take care of the needy, it relieves me from further obligation and a personal contact with those in need. My duty is done. It is also a way to try and force those, who may not feel the call to give to what "I" feel is important. "The rich guy has all of that money he does not deserve, let's get him to give more." All of my YWAM friends will rememebr DTS 101- "the need is not the call."
What is also lost in much of this discussion about poverty is that there are thousands of Christian and other private aid agencies working tirelessly and often in dangerous, self sacrificing situations to bring relief to the poor and needy. They are supported by the charitable hearts of people moved to give personally and often sacrificially. I just heard a report that from the U.S. alone over $30 Billion a year is donated to aid the poor in the form of private donations. I do not have figures but I know that millions of others in Europe and Asia also give generously to helping those who cannot help themselves.
Too many of those involved in events like Live 8, and those violently protesting the G-8 Summit and other events, have never and will never understand the concept of personal sacrifice and giving. Their idea of sacrifice is being arrested for civil disobedience in a western nation. How about risking your neck to make a change in a 3rd world situation? It will not happen.
The faithful believer and follower of the Gospel of Jesus Christ does not have to be told to give. He or she looks for ways to give. They do not feel a need to try and compel others to give, they are too focused on giving all they can all of the time. Anyone rememebr Mother Teresa? I do not recall her showing up at major events asking for help. Remember that giving, from a biblical perspective, is most profitable when done is secret without making a show of it. We saw one example of those making a show in the story of Ananias and Saphira.
Is it wrong to support just policy toward the 3rd world? No, of course not. Is it wrong to join in, in pointing out need, and helping meet need? Again the answer is no. But Live Aid, Live 8 and other such events are the best "the World" can has to offer. Believers and followers of Jesus Christ have something better and do not need an event to see need and to try and meet it. We should be asking and seeking it out every day from our Heavenly Father.
We should never feel convicted by what "the World" does, we have The Holy Spirit to do that. And we know that He is always loving, just and right.
