The role and principles of Christians are guided by the biblical principles regarding the poor. The bible specifies God’s revelation to people and how humans have responded to God. The bible as a whole supports the principles of what it means to be human and how humans should relate to God, to other people and the environment as a whole. Some of the key biblical records advocate for social welfare such as the value and dignity of humans and the need to share resources with the poor. The earliest biblical records reveal the need to care for the poor by stating the relationship of humans with their God that portrays love and justice. As Christians, we should have hearts to help the poor in the society so that they also live like us. This paper will offer principles and guidance for avoiding misunderstandings and building relationships in ways that honor people in other cultures.
Poverty is much more than simply a lack of material resources, and it takes much more than donations and handouts to solve it. When Helping Hurts shows how some alleviation efforts, failing to consider the complexities of poverty, have actually (and unintentionally) done more harm than good. But it looks ahead. It encourages us to see the dignity in everyone, to empower the materially poor, and to know that we are all uniquely needy—and that God in the gospel is reconciling all things to himself. Focusing on both North American and Majority World contexts, When Helping Hurts provides proven strategies for effective poverty alleviation, catalyzing the idea that sustainable change comes not from the outside in, but from the inside out.
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The idea of universal human rights and the concept of universalism appear to conflict with the perspectives of Christians. Universalism has it that the universal human rights appeal to every individual (human). Universal human rights must be observed and respected by every person globally. This and other aspects of universalism appear to contradict with the views of anthropologists. Christians are open to the understanding that various societies have their own social values which guide their ways of life and relations. Universalism tends to assume that there are certain values which appeal to every individual irrespective of their social backgrounds or cultural orientation. Christians have a very high tolerance for cultural values and practices. Trying to unify people to one accord may diminish the values of particular groups of people. Anthropologists support the proportion of letting every cultural group exercise their cultural practices values however undesirable such practices may appear to other social groups.
Christians should serve others, especially in a different culture, from the example of Jesus Christ, who forsakes all, and lives as a servant, weak, invisible, but connected with those he chose to give up everything for, in order to serve them. Jesus lived incarnation ally, not enjoying the best his divinity could offer or claiming kingly trappings common in the world, but in humility chose obedient servant hood. He lived intentionally learning from and with, loving, and suffering for others. Serving as a servant is therefore becoming like Christ to others. It is “the ability to relate with people in such a way that their dignity as human beings is affirmed and they are more empowered to live God-glorifying lives.
Human rights refer to the fundamental or universal rights of every individual irrespective of culture, society or religion. Human rights may protect an individual from social issues such as oppression and discrimination. Donnelly in ‘Concepts of Human Rights’ maintains that a person has equal human rights as everyone else or none at all. According to this statement, human rights are possessed equally and similarly by every individual. No one, therefore, has more human rights over others and at the same time, no one should suppress or undermine the rights of other people. A person cannot be deprived of his or her human rights provided he or she remains human. A robber still gets to have his human rights and so does a suspect in a murder crime. The right of a person with regards to property does not end when that property is stolen or borrowed. For instance, a person still retains the right to ownership of his or her car whether it sits on the driveway or borrowed by a friend. The issue of rights may also be misleading at certain points. For instance, it is absurd to maintain the right over a sold item or maintain the right of ownership of money after you uses it in the shop.
Activists of human rights advocate for equal human rights for all people. Every individual, according to activists, deserves similar and equal rights as any other human. Everyone, for instance, has the right to religion. No one should, therefore, deny others this right irrespective of the society. Activists fight on behalf of the marginalized and the minority groups whose rights seem to be ignored or suppressed by the majority groups. Activists arise from victimized societies or as concerned individuals merely overlooking from an external position. Fundamental human rights are seen, especially by the Western activists, as necessary and critically important for every individual.
Short-term mission trips are great ways to impact the kingdom. Yet they can lack effectiveness because of mistakes or naiveté on the part of participants. In this insightful and timely book, David A. Livermore calls us to serve with our eyes open to global and cultural realities so we can become more effective cross-cultural ministers. Serving with Eyes Wide Open is a must-have book for anyone doing a short-term mission or service project, whether domestic or overseas.
Humility helps Christians to become better servants as asserted in Colossians 1:16 which says, "For by him (Christ) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or power or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him" (NIV). If Christians truly believe this passage, then what the author says in page 119 makes sense: "For the priesthood of all believers to function properly, we must all nurture each other, listen to each other, see the beauty of Christ in each other and seek God's grace from each other."
Human rights need to be protected and secured. Activists advocate for the inclusion and protection of human rights in the constitution. Every government, therefore, must make laws which define human rights in each country. Governments make laws which define rights of people and their limits in every country. Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan are often guided by their religion (which is regarded as a way of life) while making laws for human rights. Such laws may be appropriate and quite appealing to the Muslims. While a majority of people in such countries are Muslim, there also exist non-Muslim groups in such countries. Non-Muslim groups in such countries might have some of their individual rights curtailed or face challenges trying to go about their regular business. Activists and policymakers face a dilemma while trying to go for legislation of human rights in such countries It is crucial in every country, for individuals to have their rights protected through legislation while at the same time, legislation may undermine the rights of the non-Muslim groups in such countries.
As Christians, we need to identify our biases and then move towards developing the suggested qualities to replace them. This takes an attitude of a servant, which is humility. It also takes seeing things how God sees them and through the other’s eyes. Indeed, “Seeing things as others see them is the way of the servant. Seeing things the way God sees them is the way of the disciple.” But servant hood is not a perk to be earned, and one that the cross-cultural servant can check off as an accomplishment. It is not also acts that one can display. It is a state of being before it is a state of doing. It is the mind of Christ that seeks that best for the people one is in ministry to and with. This perspective, if embraced fully, would demand more than a cursory acknowledgement of the people’s realities and cultures which is their humanity and dignity. It would involve an intentional embrace, learning and being open to the possibilities of change.
