"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be open handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
Lausanne Consultation on Wealth Creation for Holistic Transformation, held in March 2017, published the Wealth Creation Manifesto and has now published its first article out of a series of seven articles. The first article is titled Wealth Creation and the Poor. Jeffrey had the privilege to be part of the sub-group that produced the following article.
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Wealth Creation and the Poor
God has always shown a concern for the poor. It is clear in laws, commands, and prophetic actions in the Old Testament. Jesus and the New Testament affirm this. Jesus even emphasized the critical importance of concern for the poor and needy from the very outset of his ministry (cf Luke 4:18-19). Thus, as the
Wealth Creation Manifesto states, ‘wealth creation must always be pursued with justice and a concern for the poor.’
The church has for 2,000 years practically demonstrated love for the poor, albeit primarily through charity responses. The report gives some glimpses of these interventions.
Poverty can be seen as the absence of shalom (peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, and safety) in all its meanings. It is not just a matter of money; it can also include spiritual and social poverty. The report also discusses the difference between absolute and relative poverty, as well as various causes to poverty.
From the Manifesto: ‘Wealth creation through business has proven power to lift people and nations out of poverty.’
History clearly shows that increased production of goods and services lift people and nations out of poverty. There is biblical support for this strategy. This kind of wealth creation is correlated with life expectancy, less diseases, higher literacy, and healthier environment. Aid alone cannot achieve this.
The church has most often ‘responded to poverty and suffering through charity and aid for temporary and short-term relief. Yet, more often than not, that response has not addressed long-term needs, such as employment, and even worse, these interventions have hurt detrimentally instead of helping.’
Historically, the church has mainly been involved in wealth distribution, and overlooked the importance of wealth creation. ‘Imagine the increase in impact if the church fully embraced its mission to create wealth in addition to the distribution of wealth.’
Our individual response to poverty is reviewed from various aspects, whether we are rich or poor.
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