“This world is not my home, I’m just a-passin’ through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore”

Now, I understand what the songwriter was trying to say, but I can’t say that I agree with him. This world IS our home and we have the opportunity of making it a better place for future generations.

The purpose of this article is not to talk about what happens when we die, but rather to explore our place in the world in which we now live and how we can make it better.

When Jesus came into this world as the son of God, he certainly left the world a far richer place than when he was born.  For 30 years he “made this world his home” as he taught, he showed us by example what God was like and made possible reconciliation between man and his creator.

The good news is that Jesus is still with us though not in a physical form. We are now his hands and his feet. He is given to us the enormous privilege of having a effect upon the world around us. Together, we can change our world.

Progress So Far

Since Jesus’s life on Earth, 2000 years ago, have we made any difference so far?

• In Roman times, about 50% of the Western world were slaves, with no rights, living in abject poverty. Legal slavery as they been abolished throughout the world. (Illegal forms of slavery do however still exist.)
• 200 years ago, life expectancy ranged from 25 in India to 40 in the United Kingdom. Now the lowest life expectancy is in Afghanistan at 44 and the highest is Japan at 83.
• For most of human history the world has been dominated by men. Women have had few rights and have definitely been treated as second class citizens. This is now changing through much of the world but further progress is needed.
• Throughout history, education has been unavailable for the bulk of the population. Now a majority of children throughout the world do at least receive a primary education.
• In times past, people were helpless in the face of diseases, plagues and pandemics. They knew nothing about bacteria and viruses and antibacterials were unknown. Although there is long way to go, smallpox has been eliminated, tuberculosis has been virtually wiped out and modern drugs have stopped the spread of leprosy.
• The percentage of people living below the extreme poverty level ($1.25 per day) has reduced from 52% in 1978 to 26% in 2008.

The Future

How can we help to change our world for future generations. Although much has been achieved, there is still much more to do. Here are some of the things that could be changed in the future:

• Seek justice for the millions still living in virtual slavery in bonded labour and other forms of exploitation.
• Seek a reduction in prejudice against all minorities whether those minorities are racial, language based or related to gender.
• Ensure that there is work for everybody and that all can earn a decent living wage.
• Invest in the future by ensuring that all the children of the world are educated to at least primary level or preferably to secondary level.
• Encourage research into the diseases which  threaten so many including Malaria and HIV AIDS.
• Seek a fairer distribution of income and wealth throughout the world to avoid concentrating wealth in the hands of a few leaving many living in extreme poverty.

Who can help?

• Charity workers.
• Doctors, nurses and carers.
• Teachers.
• Political activists seeking justice for the oppressed.
• Lawyers and politicians when they honestly seek justice.
• Scientists and engineers researching diseases and seeking to make the world a safer place.
• Ordinary people caring and looking after the interests of other people in their everyday lives.
• People who give their time or money to a charity or other organisation when they cannot help directly themselves.

Why should we care?

Firstly, we should care for the world and the people in it because God cares deeply for us all.

Secondly, we should care because we are all connected. This means that:

• When a child in another country has to go to bed hungry then I am hungry too.
• Every time a marriage breaks down, even if I do not know the people concerned, then my quality-of-life suffers.
• When a scientist achieves a breakthrough in conquering some disease then I can rejoice even if I do not know anyone suffering from that disease.
• When I give my own resources to somebody else then I am enriched as well as the recipient.

Thirdly, we are connected to Jesus (God). In the well-known parable of the “sheep and goats”, Jesus said that whatever we do to somebody else, then we are showing that kindness to Jesus himself. And when we fail to show kindness to a fellow human being, we have failed to show kindness to Him!

Conclusion

The world system is often based on selfishness or self-interest. But this is wrong. By not caring for other people then we ourselves suffer. Because we are all connected, it is in fact in our self-interest to seek the interests of others and to seek the interests of God Himself. That is truly loving God and loving our neighbour as ourselves.  So selfishness is out, caring is in, loving and compassion rule!

We have a mandate to change our world. Will you join with me in a passionate determination to change the world we live in and make it a better place for our children, our grandchildren and future generations.

“People give to people”.

• People don’t give to my organisation.
• People don’t voluntarily give to governments.
• People don’t give to causes unless they benefit real people.
• People don’t give to charities as such, they only do so if others will benefit.
• People give to people.

If we as a charity forget this, we have lost our way. As much as I want people to give money to Karuna Action, I must not forget that they really want to help real people living in other countries, and they will only give through a charity which is transparent and provides a clear link between donor and recipient.

Means to an end

As an international charity we are only a means to an end. Individual givers really want to benefit individuals living in other countries, but this is too difficult to do directly. As intermediaries:

• We oversee the project and ensure that the money is spent wisely and for the purpose it was given.
• We have a strict system of “fund accounting” to ensure that the money is spent on the country/project in accordance with the donors wishes.
• Where possible we claim back the income tax that the donors have already paid on their gifts.
• We assure accountability and transparency.
• We take care of sending the cash overseas, handling different currencies etc.
• Wherever possible we provide feedback to the givers.

Partners

As a charity we do not hand money to beneficiaries directly. We deal through partners who we trust. Most of these partners are churches and organisations working directly with their communities overseas. We need to be clear that these partners are only channels through which funds flow to those in need. We ask our partners to realise that any funds no not come from Karuna Action, but from individual people who are giving, not to the partner church or organisation, but to the people that they are seeking to help.

Conclusion

So if you see needs, hear or read about them, you will want to meet those needs in some way. If the need is local, you may be able to help directly, or you might like to give through a local charity to provide anonymity and accountability.

If the need is in another country you can give through (not to) an international charity like Karuna Action. I don’t want you to give to us, but to use us as a practical way of helping people living in desperate poverty.

Use this link to give to real people through KarunaAction.org.

Related articles

• The joy of giving (georgedowdell.org)

Peoples of Britain circa 600 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Immigration is a hot issue in the United Kingdom right now. Some time ago I picked up a copy of the Daily ? (a paper that I don’t normally read) and the story on the front page was going on about immigrants and basically implying that we should pull up the drawbridge and prevent any further immigration into our already “overcrowded Island”.

Turning to page 20 (or thereabouts) was an article about how the world economic crisis had affected Dubai and how “poor” British “settlers” were suffering from the economic fallout.

Probably the two journalists did not meet to discuss how they should handle the situation. But why are migrants to the United Kingdom demonised and called immigrants (a word with all sort of connotations) whilst British migrants to other countries were treated sympathetically as settlers?

“The trouble with us Brits is that we still think we rule the world”

The trouble with us Brits is that we still think we rule the world and have a divine right to live where we please. But faced with a possible “invasion” by people of other nationalities there is often fear and hostility towards the newcomers.

But the fact is that Britain is entirely made up of immigrants. I am probably a mixture of Ancient Briton (my mother was Welsh), Anglo Saxon, Norse and Norman (French) with a sprinkling of African (From the slave trade) and Italian (Romans) thrown in. The English Language has words derived from Anglo Saxon, Norse, French, Latin, Greek and Hindi amongst others.

Since the beginning the human race has spread out from a small group in one place to the whole world. Since then people have colonised and invaded lands occupied by other people.

Conquest and Colonisation

Empires have risen and fallen. For a while the Assyrians, Babylonians, then the Persians followed by the Greeks dominated chunks of Europe and Asia. The Roman Empire lasted for centuries but eventually fell. The Mongols held sway over much of Asia, Chinese dynasties ruled huge lands, and Aztecs and Incas tried to subdue land around them and then spread out (as migrants) to the conquered territories.

Western “civilisation” has come to dominate the planet. First the Spanish and Portuguese, then the Dutch, French and British, and finally the Americans and Russians, conquered, dominated and colonised most of the world.

• Europeans Americans almost wiped out the Native Americans in North America.
• Spanish and Portuguese colonisers took over South and Central America.
• Dutch and British became a sizeable minority in South Africa and the tried to rule over the indigenous population.
• Russians took over Eastern Europe and controlled the local Inuit population in Siberia.

Peaceful Immigration

I remember that at school we had a Polish teacher teaching us French. He had come to Britain at the beginning of World War 2 to escape persecution from the Russians and Germans. He said that he was proud of the fact that he was more British than us who were born right at the end of the war (1944/5).

We have a proud history in Britain of accepting into our midst people who seek asylum from persecution, or death, in the land of their birth. This proud history is coming under threat as some, encouraged by the popular press, who lump together “asylum seekers”, “economic migrants” and “benefit scroungers” in the same breathe.

Racism

In the United Kingdom, we quite readily accept people from France, Spain, Australia and even Hong Kong or Japan. Yet many are fearful of migrants from Pakistan, Africa or Eastern Europe.  I can only put it down to a form of racism based on culture rather the colour.

Previous generations of British people thought themselves superior and were undoubtedly racist in their attitudes to other people. Now, in these politically correct days, people, and the media, are extremely careful about the words they use. But behind the careful words we often detect an underlying racism that makes itself known by the vitriolic tone behind the words.

Asylum Seekers

Many people live in countries where religious or political minorities are persecuted. Some may find that their freedom or even life is threatened and they seek to travel to a country where they will be safe. We should welcome them into Britain as we have done for other minorities for hundreds of years.

There will be a minority who seek to exploit this sympathy but surely we must be capable of distinguishing the genuine from the non-genuine! I deeply resent the lumping of them all together and making “asylum seekers” into a dirty term.

Economic Migrants

Teachers, doctors, engineers and scientists are in great demand around the world. We British expect to be able to live in other countries and command high salaries for our expertise. We become “economic migrants”.

Yet when people come to the United Kingdom seeking a better life for their families they are often looked down on, and “economic migrants” becomes another dirty term.

State Benefits

The U.K. has an excellent system in place to ensure that people living here do not suffer extreme poverty.

There is a misconception that immigrants come here to exploit our benefits system. The fact is that the percentage of immigrants relying on state benefits is much lower than for people brought up in this country.

What the Bible Says

The people of Israel were told not to mistreat any foreigner living amongst then as they were also told how to treat orphans and widows.

Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.
Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.
If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.
Exodus 22:21-23(NIV)

Foreigners should be treated equally in employment:

Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.
Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
Deuteronomy 24:14-15 (NIV)

The law should treat migrants equally:

Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
Deuteronomy 24:17-18 (NIV)

Conclusion

It is easy when things are difficult to look for scapegoats. (Ask the Jews who were blamed for the economic situation in Germany before World War 2!)

We see postings on Facebook or headlines in newspapers and if we are not careful we give mental assent without really thinking about it.

Virtually every one living today is an immigrant of one sort or another. Either by way of moving ourselves, or by our parents or grandparents, or by our ancestors through migration or conquest, we are all migrants.

In God’s eyes all human beings have equal value and we, who are made in the image of God, can treat all as our equals. In God’s eyes, who gave us this world to live on, is there such a thing as an immigrants anyway?

Related articles

• Immigration reform advice from the Bible (juneauempire.com)

Desperate thirst

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
(Matthew 5:6 NIV)

I have never known true physical hunger, but I am well aware that millions of children go to bed every night desperately hungry. My life has never been threatened by thirst, but I can well imagine that thirst becomes the overriding priority of a man crossing a desert.

• What is this righteousness, that we should so desperately want to know it in our own lives?
• What are the results of righteousness in our lives?
• How can our desperate need be satisfied?

Becoming righteous is a process

Jesus didn’t say “Blessed are the righteous …”. He said that we must hunger and thirst for it.

• We are to be hungry for righteousness.
• We are to be thirsty for righteousness.
• We are to seek righteousness above everything else. (Matthew 6:33).

Being righteous involves our actions

Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
(Matthew 6:1-4 NIV)

Giving to the needy is an act of righteousness, but it important that our motive is to be God-like and not do it so that people will think how great we are. Our righteousness is before God, but involves our fellow-man as well.

Righteousness describes the nature of God

Righteousness describes how God acts in his relationship with men. Included are the attributes of:

• Justice
• Truth
• Mercy
• Love

Hungering for the attributes of God

So in hungering and thirsting for God’s righteousness we are seeking to have those qualities in our lives in our relationship with God, and our fellow-man.

• To seek justice in a world which is so often unjust. (Justice is almost synonymous with righteousness in the Old Testament.)
• To deal in truth with others. Without truthfulness, relationships fail.
• To be merciful in our treatment of, and attitudes towards, other people. To be non judgemental, forgiving and generous towards men and women.
• To love God and our neighbour as we care for ourselves. To show compassion. To lay down our lives for others as God (Jesus) laid down His life for us.

Righteousness comes through faith

But by faith we eagerly await through the spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
(Galatians 5:5 NIV)

If we desire to be more like God (or Jesus) and want His attributes to be active in our lives, we need help.

Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
(Galatians 3:21 NIV)

We cannot know righteousness in our lives by following the law, or rules, or simply by our own efforts. But through faith in Jesus Christ, comes hope and the possibility of not only hungering and thirsting for righteousness, but of those deep desires being satisfied.

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again but whoever drinks the water that I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become a spring of water, welling up to eternal life.”
(John 4:13-14 NIV).

Related articles

• Kingdom hunger (theartofuncertainty.wordpress.com)

The Minimum Wage is not a Living Wage

The government of the United Kingdom says that is trying to encourage people back to work and reduce dependence upon state benefits. To do this, most of the emphasis has been on reducing benefits. I believe that rather than the stick of reducing benefits, more could be achieved by the carrot of increasing the minimum wage. In turn this would reduce our benefits bill and increase our national income through Income Tax, National Insurance, Value Added Tax etc.

There are about 1,350,000 people in Britain who only receive the minimum wage with a further 4 million earning less than a “living wage” (see below). Because it is impossible to support a family on this level, a great number of these will also be receiving state benefits. It is wrong that we, as taxpayers, should be subsidising companies who fail to pay a living wage to their workers.

Advantages of increasing the minimum wage

• Dignity. Increasing the minimum wage to a living wage so that a worker does not have to apply for state benefits increases the persons self-worth and adds to their dignity.
• Benefits. Reduces the number of working people reliant on state benefits and reduces the benefit budget and therefore the deficit faced by the government and taxpayer.
• Taxation. On a 40 hour week, an individual earning the minimum wage still pays over £700 income tax per year. If the minimum wage were significantly increased there would be a huge gain for public finances in Income Tax, National Insurance and Value Added Tax.
• Subsidising Companies. Benefits paid to working people mean that the state and the taxpayer are subsidising companies.
• Justice. It is against natural justice for corporate entities to be paying less than what a man or woman is worth.
• Ethics. James make it clear in the Bible that it is wrong to exploit workers. Not paying a living wage, and expecting the government to pick up the pieces is clearly wrong.

Possible Disadvantages or problems

• Inflation. There will be a small one-off inflationary increase. This represents a cost we should pay for having a fairer system.
• Competitiveness. Some will claim that companies will be less competitive. This is not true domestically as all companies will be in the same position. Our competitiveness as a nation will hardly be affected at all because very few minimum wage jobs are in companies who export goods or services. (We have already outsourced most of our manufacturing to countries with lower labour costs.)
• Profits. Most of the costs would be passed on in price increases but most companies could afford a small reduction in profits.

A living wage

The BBC recently produced an article, Living wage could save £2bn – think tank research.

They say paying staff at least £7.45 per hour outside London, and £8.55 within the capital, would boost the nationwide income by £6.5 billion a year. But the government would collect more income tax and pay out less in benefits and tax credits.

The think tanks suggest that about £3.6 billion of the extra money paid out in higher wages under a universal living wage would go straight to the government, in the form of extra income tax and national insurance payments, along with reduced spending on benefits and tax credits for the lowest paid. As some of those workers would be in the public sector, their wages would cost the government an extra £1.3 billion. But that would still leave the Treasury with an extra net income of £2.3 billion a year.

The concept of a living wage is supported by The Living Wage Foundation. So far 140 employers have signed up but there are still millions more who could be included.  Over 45,000 families have been lifted out of working poverty as a direct result. Positive benefits include enhancement of the quality of work, absenteeism reduced (by 25%), improved recruitment and retention of staff.

The Living Wage enjoys cross party support, with public backing from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. But words are easy. There is a very good case for putting this into law by increasing the minimum wage to this sort of level.

Ethics

The following passage is not some form of communist propaganda. It is from the Bible,  This is what James, an early Christian leader, had to say about exploiting our workers.

“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.

Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.

Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.

You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.”
(James 5:1-6 NIV)

Occupations effected by minimum wages

Minimum Wage in other Countries

This article is primarily about the United Kingdom.  The table above shows the minimum wage in a few countries.

• The rates are converted to pounds as at the publication date for this article.
• The annual rate assumes a 40 hour week.
• Because prices are different in other countries, the last column shows an adjustment to be able to make direct comparisons.
• The rate in the U.K. has just been increased to £6.31 which is effectively a cut as the increase is below inflation.

Conclusion

Justice, logic and economics all agree. The minimum wage should be increased so that taxpayers do not subsidise companies. All would ultimately benefit: the low-paid, the the companies who pay them and the taxpayer who subsidise the companies.  Dignity will be restored, justice will be improved and we would all feel better by doing what is right.

Finding the right level is complicated by I suggest that the minimum wage should be increased to at least £8 an hour with immediate effect. I know we are in difficult economic times, but this might, just might, provide a way out.

Related articles

• Minimum wage to rise but 1% hike for young falls behind inflation (guardian.co.uk)
• National minimum wage to increase by 12p an hour from October (independent.co.uk)
• Employers should consider ‘going beyond’ minimum wage (itv.com)
• Minimum wage should be substantially raised, not cut (blogs.telegraph.co.uk)
• The minimum wage has been cut, not increased (newstatesman.com)

UK National Debt, excluding bank bailouts, based on official data

During the second world war we all had to suffer deprivations so that we could maintain our freedom as a country. Basically we all pulled together. Bombs were no respecter of persons. We had the political will and leadership needed so that every one had to bear the burden and pay the price for our freedom.

Now we face an economic situation which potentially could be even more serious. But where is the political will to unite the country?

We have blamed the benefit “scroungers”, the immigrants, the bankers, the Conservatives, the Lib-Dems, the Labour party: everyone but ourselves. This is a call for unity. To stop being divisive and for everyone, rich, poor or somewhere in the middle, to accept their share of responsibility, and for us ALL to work together to get us out of the mess we are in.

United Kingdom National Debt

• According to debtbombshell.com the United Kingdom national debt is estimated at £1,182,657,179,000 at 10:00 April 9th 2013. (Whoops left off 3 zeros from the figure first time)
• That means that every man, woman and  child owes £18,552
• That’s more than £40,880 for every person in employment
• Every household will pay £1,917 this year, just to cover the interest
• By 2016 our government forecasts it will reach £1,5 trillion

This is not just a technical debt owed by the government. We are effectively the guarantees of the debt. We all have to pay the interest through our taxes, and if the debt is to be reduced we all have to contribute.

Who are the lenders.

• Insurance companies
• Pension funds (that means you and me)
• Overseas investors
• Banks and financial institutions
• Individuals

Imagine the chaos if we had to default on these debts.

Other Countries

How do we compare with other countries around the world. Because population obviously varies, this is expressed as Gross Government Debt as a percentage of GDP (Gross domestic product).

Government debt as percentage of GDP globally. (2009 estimates) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

War time

During the second world war we borrowed a vast amount to maintain our freedom as a country. Now, we have borrowed to maintain consumerism and this is simply unsustainable. During a period of war, everyone suffered deprivation, but we all pulled together and accepted deprivation without complaint. We suffered by our food being rationed, having to do without luxuries, being encouraged to grow our own vegetables, children being separated from their families, losing houses and lives though bombing and by many soldiers losing their lives.

We must all bear the burden

It has become fashionable to blame our ills on those living on benefits. We blame the bankers (not without some cause). It is time to stop being divisive. It is time for our leaders and media to be honest with us and stop spreading lies about “scroungers, and immigrants”. It is a time for national unity: to all work together, government, companies and individuals.

There is NO magic bullet but here are some of the steps we could take.

• Stop handing out tax reductions to people earning £150,000 plus per year.
• Stop international companies hiding profits made in the U.K. to avoid paying taxes.
• Simplify the tax system to stop the crazy schemes that accountants and lawyers dream up to reduce the tax liability of the super rich.
• Middle income people need to pay their fair share, but politicians need to be honest with them so they know why.
• Even pensioners (like me) need to share the national burden.
• Change our defense policy to one of defending the U.K., rather than one based on revenge (the so-called deterrent) and trying to act as policemen in a world which  doesn’t want us.
• Stop the ridiculous situation of having to pay subsidies to SEVEN MILLION low earners by increasing the minimum wage to a level where those in work can support their families.
• Stop blaming all on benefits for the situation, but concentrate of reducing the tiny amount lost on benefit fraud.
• Invest in projects which will earn money in the future (such as toll motorways, high-speed trains the Severn Barrage etc) rather than increasing debt to maintain unsustainable lifestyles.

What do you think? I don’t suppose many will agree with everything I have written. Please leave your comments below. I will only delete abusive comments.

Mother Theresa found joy by giving her life

It is good to give. It marks us out as different from the animals. We are made in the image of God, and He is a God who loves to give. We have a deep-rooted desire to give. That desire can be drowned by the cares of life and it is so easy to forget the joy of giving and harden our hearts to those in need through indifference and self-interest.

If we come across a fellow human-being in great need, there are a number of responses we make.

• We could be totally indifferent to the need and not consciously acknowledge that there is anything we should do.
• We might think that it is the other person’s fault and that they deserve to be in their present state.
• We might feel that we could help, but we are worried about our own finances and so fail to help.
• We might be totally overwhelmed by so many people in need that we fail to help at all.
• We might think that it is the government’s responsibility and not help out of principle.
• We are of the opinion that the needy person might become dependent on charity and fail to see individuals as real people with varying circumstances.

• We might help by pointing the needy person in the direction of a charity or government programme.
• We can give money or material goods, either directly or via a charity, to meet the need.
• We can help the person directly by getting involved and giving our time by providing counsel, comfort or friendship to the other person.

The first six of these responses, mean that we have shut our hearts to the need and are effectively the same, at least as far as the needy person is concerned.

The last three of these responses involve action on our part and a sharing of resources, whether material, emotional or spiritual.

Advantages and disadvantages of giving

The sheep and the goats

Jesus told a parable that we call the parable of the sheep and goats. In this Jesus said that our right standing with God was measured by the way we treat our fellow-man.

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

• For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
• I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
• I was a stranger and you invited me in,
• I needed clothes and you clothed me,
• I was sick and you looked after me,
• I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”  (Matthew 25:34-40 NIV)

Who needs our help?

People in our own community who are:

• Hungry or thirsty – we can give money or help directly by providing food.
• The stranger or foreigner (immigrant) who, because of language, culture or poverty, feels excluded from society.
• The homeless.
• Those who need clothes or other material possessions.
• The sick, the disabled or others who need looking after.
• Prisoners, or those imprisoned by their circumstances, who need our emotional or spiritual involvement.

People living in other countries who we cannot help directly, but can do by giving of our resources through international charities:

• Children who need education to prevent one poor generation producing another poor generation.
• Clean water to drink to prevent many fatal waterborne diseases.
• Ensuring health-care is available to all.
• Research into diseases which kill or severely effect the life-style of the sufferers, such as malaria and HIV/Aids.
• Providing income generation schemes to help families lift themselves out of poverty.

How we can help

• Getting involved in our own communities where there are people with needs.
• Giving money to charities working amongst the disadvantaged in our own community.
• Giving our time as volunteers to charities working in our own community.
• Giving money to international charities who work where we cannot help directly.
• Fund-raising for local or international charities.
• Campaigning on behalf of those who are in need or disadvantaged.
• Using our voice and our vote to influence politicians in order to advance the cause of justice for the needy.

Related articles

• Giving in the Bible (georgedowdell.org)
• Sowing in Recession (georgedowdell.org)

A farmer giving seed to the soil. What a temptation to eat his seed! But by sacrificially sowing, he will reap with joy.

Giving is a way of life, not just an optional extra to make us feel better. These verses from the Bible show that giving enriches our lives as well as enriching the lives of those we give to. It is a win-win situation. I am not promising you cars and yachts  but I am saying that having a generous heart will make you a better and happier (or in biblical language, blessed) person.

Giving, is the way of love, compassion and justice and can set us apart from a world system so often based on self-interest and greed. Because we are made in the image of God, all human beings have, deep down, a desire to give and to love. Let us rediscover the joy of giving, and together change this sad old world of ours!

Quotations from Old Testament

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you. Deuteronomy 16:17

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Proverbs 3:27

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24-25

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. Proverbs 14:31

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17

He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. Proverbs 22:9

He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses. Proverbs 28:27

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Malachi 3:10

Quotations from the New Testament

But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ Matthew 25:35-45

And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”  Mark 12:41-44

And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” Luke 3:11

Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Luke 6:30

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Luke 6:38

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:33-34

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. Acts 2:44-45

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all-sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 1 John 3;17

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:14-17

Related articles

• - A Generous Giver - (hiseternalword.wordpress.com)

Above the Old Bailey courts in London. A sword in one hand to execute justice and scales in the other to ensure fairness.

When it comes to human relationships, love, compassion and justice must go hand in hand. In talking about social justice I am not talking about justice as retribution or punishment but as justice in the way we treat our fellow-man. When people are wronged, they may cry out for justice to be done, and often won’t be satisfied unless the wrongdoer is punished for their crimes against them. Social Justice demands that we correct the unfairness of society but does not demand retribution or punishment.

• 20,000 innocent children who die every day of preventable diseases cry out for justice.
• 1 billion people living in extreme poverty cry out for a fairer world system.
• Poor workers who satisfy western demand for things like coffee, chocolate, vegetables etc. cry out for a reasonable percentage of the final price.
• Millions, working as virtual slaves in industry cry out for freedom from exploitation.
• A million plus woman trapped in the sex industry cry out for respect and liberty.
• An estimated 127 million children working in conditions which are harmful to their health and welfare cry out for a decent start in life.
• Over 100 million children between 5 and 11, who receive no education at al,l cry out for at least a primary education so that they are not condemned to produce another desperately poor generation.
• 400 million children between 12 and 17 who do not attend secondary school cry out for the opportunities that education would bring.

Why should we care?

If we live relatively comfortably, why should we care about those in need in our own country. or in other countries?

1. We should care because we are made in the image of God, and He cares about each individual.
2. We should care because they are fellow human-beings, our brothers and sisters in the human family.
3. We should care because morality, ethics and justice demand it.
4. Showing compassion for others and seeking justice for the oppressed produces a sense of fulfilment and peace in us personally.
5. It is in our best interest to abolish extreme poverty, because development of the whole world means prosperity for us all.

How to help

How then can we help?

• Ensure firstly that our attitudes are right. Our actions depend ultimately upon our attitudes and will be effected by any trace of racism, prejudice or indifference.
• Depending where we live in the world, we can campaign on behalf of the poor, the disadvantaged and the exploited.
• If we live in a democracy we can vote for the people who are most likely to ensure justice is done.
• We can purchase products  which give the original producers a fair return for their labour.
• We can share our resources with those around us.
• We can donate to organisations who seek to address injustice, or to give opportunities to people enslaved by poverty.
• We can sponsor a child to ensure that he/she gets a good education to improve their opportunities.

Comments

Please feel free to leave your comments below. You don’t have to give your name, or an email address. You don’t have to agree with me! All comments will show unless they are offensive.

Related articles

• Social Justice (UK) (georgedowdell.org)
• Pope Francis, the “development pope”? (snapgrabber.co.uk)

But let Justice roll on like a river,
Righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Social Justice is vital if a country claims to be morally as well as economically developed.  The measure of a country is how the government and the people of that country treat the disadvantaged members of society. The Bible criticises those who exploit their workers, ignore the poor or do not look after the immigrant or the homeless. Sharing our resources is fundamental to the ideal of social justice.

In this article I am writing from a United Kingdom perspective, but the principles are true for all countries whether developed or developing. People are materially poor because of one or more of the following factors:

• Physical or mental disability which effects the possibility of employment
• Marriage breakdown causing a split into two households.
• Single parents struggling to balance a job and child care.
• Insufficient jobs with a meaningful salary.
• A major employer or industry closing down causing a disruption in the local economy.
• Choosing not to work and deliberately living off benefits. (I am NOT suggesting that more than a tiny minority could be classified as “scroungers” or “benefit cheats”  but obviously there are a few who fit into this category.)
• Addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling etc,
• Debt.
• Crime.
• Prejudice based on racism or class.
• Inadequate education, or failing educational achievement.

Guardian Quote

Almost 7 million working-age adults are living in extreme financial stress, one small push from penury, despite being in employment and largely independent of state support … unlike the “squeezed middle”, these 3.6m British households have little or no savings, nor equity in their homes, and struggle at the end of each month to feed themselves and their children adequately.
(Article in The Guardian “Household incomes: how do you compare?”)

The Poverty Line

Graph showing the poverty line and the median income

In the United Kingdom, relative poverty is defined as people and families with earnings less than the poverty line (60% of the median income). If the country prospers, and incomes increase, then so does the poverty line and just as many people are still “relatively poor”. If overall incomes fall (as they have done since 2009,) then some people will find themselves technically “out of poverty”, even though their income has not increased and they are no better off than before.

The figures below are for a single person living alone, For couples and single parents, the situation is much more complicated and depends on the number of children, other benefits etc.

• The poverty line for 2010 is £169 per week. Any person whose income is below that is living in relative poverty.
• No figures are yet available for 2012, but because incomes are still falling, I  have estimated  a figure of £160 a week.
• The starting points for tax and national insurance are £156 and £146 and so someone classed as relatively poor may still pay a little tax.
• For a single pensioner, the state pension, topped up by a pension credit is £143, so without any further earnings, pensioners will be classed as relatively poor.
• The job seekers allowance is just £71 a week so unless there are other benefits, they will live far below the poverty line.
• Having a job at the minimum wage, working for 35 hours a week, will earn £196 a week after income tax and national insurance: only a little above the poverty line.

HM Government article on social justice

I have just read a paper presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Ian Duncan Smith. Unfortunately, government policy does not measure up to the high ideals this report presents and rather than producing social justice, the reality is that the poorest section of the population is really struggling, the middle ground is being squeezed and only the richest are getting any more prosperous.

The article does, however, reveal some disturbing facts:

• There are 3.9 million workless households in the U.K. (One in 5!)
• There are 300,000 households where no-one has ever worked.
• 40 per cent of newly sentenced prisoners said they had been permanently excluded from school and 46 per cent said they left school with no qualifications.
• 28% of single parent families live in relative poverty.
• An estimated 10% of all households are struggling with debt arrears.
• While recognising that many single parents do an excellent job, the report states “Evidence suggests that children tend to enjoy better life outcomes when the same two parents are able to give them support and protection throughout their childhood”.

A new ethos?

1. The Government believes that the vast majority of people cannot and will not have their lives changed through ever-increasing benefit rates.
2. Promoting work for those who can do so as the most sustainable route out of poverty.
3. Unconditional support to those who are severely disabled and cannot work.
4. A “fair deal for the taxpayer”

The reality

1. Many families are suffering a reduction, certainly not “ever-increasing” benefit rates.
2. The fact is that there are insufficient meaningful jobs available for all the people on benefits,
3. There are many people who are not “severely disabled” but who find it difficult to find work, suffering prejudice and who are effectively unemployable.
4. It is a bit rich talking about “a fair deal for the taxpayer”  when the highest earners are about to get a tax-cut and even many who are employed at the minimum wage, yet classified as relatively poor still have to pay tax on their income and spending.

The principle of reducing dependency on state benefits is fine, but the emphasis should be on creating meaningful employment opportunities rather than punishing those who, often through no fault of their own, have to rely on outside help.

What Social Justice demands

• Ensure that disadvantaged members of society, (whether temporary or permanent), have something to fall back on so that their families are not living in poverty.
• An emphasis for the government, and industry and commerce, to create jobs rather than punish those who don’t have jobs. For the government to create jobs, the cost is minimal because there is a big benefits saving, as well as savings in crime levels, savings to the National Health system etc.
• An increase in the minimum wage to motivate people to seek employment and to ensure that single parents and those with a number of children are not still living in poverty in spite of working full-time. Can we afford it? Yes, we can, if we do not intend to exploit our workers.
• Ensure that young people have sufficient opportunities and that the apprenticeship scheme is not used as an excuse for cheap labour.
• Do not label every one who receives state benefits as “scrounger” or “benefit cheats”.
• Do not make the wrong assumption that foreigners only come to claim benefits rather than to work and often do the work no-one else is prepared to do.

But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream! 
(Amos 5:24 NIV)

Related articles

• Poverty map shows how cuts in benefits will hurt children (guardian.co.uk)
• Westminster welfare cuts will push 15,000 more Scottish children below the poverty line (dailyrecord.co.uk)
• Majority of British children will soon be living in poverty, report warns (express.co.uk)