What do you think of when you think about poverty? What kinds of images come to mind? What words are associated with this social need?
Take a look at this:
Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.
…let that sink in.
Seventy percent of those living on less than $1 per day are women.
26,500-30,000 children die each day due to poverty.
…staggering.
Around 27-28 percent of all children in developing countries are estimated to be underweight or stunted.
Each year, more than 8 million people around the world die because they are too poor to stay alive.
It does not matter where you go this summer, whatever trip you find yourself on, you will encounter poverty. So when you see this social issue, what will you do about it? What can you do to bring about hope?
You know, my youth ministry has focused a lot on the world’s sickness this year.. We dove into slavery (sex and labor), food and water issues, poverty, and AIDS. I was stunned when I heard some of these statistics earlier this year. Poverty is such a massive issue in the world today but many of us (in America, at least) are blinded by it.. We don’t know these things because we don’t see these things. I have seen poverty in Haiti, and it was a monumental moment in my life to be within a society that was so poor. I so badly wished in that moment that I had brought everything I owned and was able to give it to the people in need. But God reminded me quickly of all of the scripture I knew it regards to the poor..
“The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise him.” -Psalm 22:26
“Looking at his disciples he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” -Luke 6:20
I cannot promise anyone that I will give them all that they need, but I can promise them that they have a Father in Heaven who loves them so much and promises them eternal life in His kingdom if they follow Him.