Did you know that around three-quarters of the world’s income ends up in the pockets of 20 per cent of its population? Think of it this way: ten dairy farmers live in the same valley, and among them they own ten cows. But the cows aren’t evenly distributed – it isn’t one cow to one farmer. It’s more like this: two farmers own four cows each, while the other eight farmers share two cows to produce dairy products to sell. Does that seem right? The two farmers who own eight cows might easily say, ‘I worked for my cows.’ But the real question is, what responsibility does God place on the people who have more to help the people who have next to nothing? First, He prompts us to feel concern and compassion. Second, He prompts us to get out of our comfort zones and do something about it. ‘Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them – they are…blessed in the land – he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sick-bed and restores them’ (v.1-3 NIVUK). When we bless someone in need, God is delighted by our action! So, as one leader wrote, let’s make this our prayer: ‘Lord, You promised we would always have the poor among us. Help me to make sure that the reverse is also true: that I’m always among the poor – helping, encouraging, and lending a hand wherever I can. Enable me to love the invisible God by serving the very visible poor in my corner of the world. Help me to be creative without being condescending, encouraging without being egotistic, and fearless without being foolish. May the poor bless You because of me…amen.’
