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We are all called to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger and visit the prisoner. Good neighbours will oppose injustice and share wisdom, time and money with those in need.
· Suffering and pain abound in our society and world. It is very tempting to block the suffering of others from our minds, or limit our response to giving to charity or paying our taxes.
· Compassion literally means "to suffer alongside", thus necessitating personal, costly giving. Christ's life and teachings leave no doubt that all who would follow Him must serve society's vulnerable and marginalized.
· Poverty is a complex phenomenon. The socialist approach to tackling poverty relies almost exclusively on raising income levels. Although meeting material need is important, this has resulted in the neglect of other, possibly as important, aspects of poverty.
· Faith-inspired social action initiatives are often more successful in tackling poverty than statutory provision. This is partly because of their more developed understanding of the nature of poverty and an emphasis on personal relationships, providing sustained support and accountability.
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In a media-saturated culture, compassion fatigue is a significant problem. Daily exposure through television to devastation and misery desensitizes us. We block it out, for to contemplate the brokenness and misery in our world is too much to bear. It becomes very tempting to 'out-source' our social concern. People are employed to do our dry-cleaning and produce convenience foods for us; it therefore seems sensible to pay the government or donate to charities and let them tackle the problems. But is this an adequate and sufficient Christian response?
The Parable of the Good Samaritan is instructive at this point. Luke's gospel describes how Jesus established with the teacher of the law the necessity to love God fully and to love one's neighbour as oneself. In response to the question 'Who is my neighbour?', Christ tells the parable, in which he asserts that our obligations extend to all. In the parable, the religious leaders do not demonstrate mercy or compassion. As compassion literally means 'to suffer alongside', it necessitates personal investment, a willingness to get our hands dirty. This is what makes it so hard! Yet Christ says to all who would follow Him, 'Go and do likewise.' I am my brother's keeper, and Christ intends to channel his redeeming love through His obedient, merciful followers.
Not all Christians are called to work with the most acutely vulnerable in society such as prostitutes and heroin addicts, although a high proportion of those who do are motivated by their love of Christ. What is not optional, however, is a heart for the poor and a readiness to help personally, in addition to donating. Social problems abound in our hurting, needy society. In each locality, urban or rural, poor or affluent, there are deep, unmet needs: the elderly person with no company but television; the lone parent struggling to cope with holding down a full-time job whilst raising several children; those enslaved by drug and alcohol abuse.
In recent years Britain has enjoyed sustained economic growth. Welfare spending has reached unprecedented levels. Yet many social problems stubbornly persist. Poverty is multi-faceted, yet this is rarely acknowledged in public policy discussions. Usually there is an implicit assumption that the alleviation of poverty amounts to raising people above a material threshold. The relational, spiritual and intellectual needs of people are overlooked. Whilst not belittling the huge problems endured by many in feeding, clothing and housing themselves, the poor tend to lack the support networks that can make the difference during times of trouble. A weary resignation sets in that things will not get better. Of course the gloomy fatalism triggered by such a poverty of hope becomes self-fulfilling.
Faith-inspired social action initiatives often provide more effective help than statutory provision. The sustained personal care, forgiveness and sense of hope offered can make a significant difference. The faith element is not incidental. Insights concerning the nature of the human condition and the possibility of redemption make these initiatives successful. After sustained pressure from the Conservatives, the Government is now embracing 'partnership' with faith-inspired groups in tackling social exclusion. However Labour is very uneasy about the faith underpinning the care offered. Faith-inspired groups must ensure that in receiving government funding, they do not compromise their freedom to communicate Christian truth. After all, the most precious, life-changing thing that Christians can offer the needy is the gospel of Jesus Christ, through which people can be brought back into relationship with God - our Creator and Redeemer.
Heroes
Alan Berry
Alan Berry founded Bethany Christian Trust in 1983 in response to the escalating problem of street homelessness in Edinburgh. He has implemented a holistic programme that offers seven levels of care from emergency help and housing through to training programmes that provide all the support necessary for a homeless person to be fully re-integrated into the community. From very small beginnings, Bethany now employs 79 staff and has an annual budget of nearly £2 million.
For more visit: www.bethanychristiantrust.com
James Mawdsley
One of most courageous British defenders of human rights in recent years has been James Mawdsley, the Christian human rights protester who was sentenced to 17 years solitary confinement in Burma after highlighting the genocide of the Karen and other ethnic minorities by the junta regime. He has exposed the Burmese government's brutality on the world stage. Freed in October 2000 after serving 415 days of his sentence, James is now working for Christian Solidarity Worldwide to help challenge abuses of freedom of religion around the globe. James is also an active member of the Conservative Christian Fellowship.
For more visit - www.csw.org.uk
Related links
A Christian charity, World Vision is one of the world's leading aid agencies, currently working in nearly 90 countries and helping over 85 million people in their struggle against poverty, hunger and injustice.
Prison Fellowship: This international ministry was founded by Charles Colson in the United States. Christian volunteers show the love of Christ to prisoners, to ex-prisoners and their families through providing spiritual and practical support.
The Faithworks Campaign: An initiative to challenge and equip the churches to demonstrate God's love through meeting needs in their community and challenge the discrimination faith-inspired face from government funding agencies
WORLDVIEW INTRODUCTION - MENU PAGE
WORLDVIEW INTRODUCTION (1): 'Why do we need the Christian worldview?'
WORLDVIEW INTRODUCTION (2): 'What are the characteristics of the Christian worldview?'
WORLDVIEW INTRODUCTION (3): 'What are the applications of the Christian worldview?'
WORLDVIEW APPLICATION (1): Respect for every human life
WORLDVIEW APPLICATION (2): Liberty within community
WORLDVIEW APPLICATION (3): Compassion for every neighbour
WORLDVIEW APPLICATION (4): Stewardship of Creation
Wayne Grudem on 'Common Grace'
William Wilberforce: Worldview Warrior
Applying YOUR belief in the Christian worldview to politics
CCF interview with Chuck Colson
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