Make Poverty History

I picked up this booklet which talks about how, as individuals, we can make  a difference to the state the world is in. I snorted my initial disdain as I considered my position in a tiny red dot of a country where the "nail that sticks out gets hammered".

I want to make poverty history. It confounds me that despite the great ideas and technology  spawned by the collective genius of man in the last two thousand years, Jesus' words to Iscariot still ring true: "The poor you will always have with you."

I yearn for a world where the distribution of resources is far more equitable then it is now. I endorse the cancellation of debt to the poorest countries in the world. Or at least relief from the leechings of compounded interest.

Two weeks ago with the images of the Rider of the Black Horse still fresh in my mind I prayed as I read the booklet.

"Dear God. Poverty WILL be History, along with Strife, Injustice, Godlessness and all manner of things which are hateful in Your eyes when Your Kingdom comes and quickly. But while we are in the here and now, grant us a respite. The hearts of kings are in Your hands. So move them to cancel debt to the poorest of the poor."

Today's Late Times picked up the story from the Washington Post about IMF and the World Bank's decision to cancel the debt of 18 of the world's poorest countries. I can only imagine the kind of relief felt by their citizens - a fresh breath of hope and a measure of dignity to build or more likely rebuild their countries.

When my friend told me about the article. I gave thanks to God who shows His great mercies even as a world steeped in sin stands in judgement.

I don't have a lot of money to give, but God gives compassion that moves the saint to pray by a faith that shall move this mountain of debt more powerfully than an army of Bill Gates.

Now where can I pick up one of these white bands?

Comments

[neonangel]

dunno about the bands but there is a very very very good book called "Good News For the Poor" by Tim Chester about christian responsibility for the poor. excellently, empathetically written by a christian who has been in the activist trenches and detailed in how christians can help the poor.

i dunno about how far Bono can succeed in his desire to make poverty history (since that's only gonna happen when Jesus returns) but you gotta love that man's gumption and heart for real sincere giving faith.

regarding your lack of moolah, it's no biggie. i think sometimes more than money, the poor need encouragement, love and faith in their inherent purpose as functioning humabn beings.

[Errol]

yah, you mentioned the book in one of your earlier posts.

Nonetheless, I do realise that while we will never be the Great Generation that Mandela has called us to be, our prayers will be part of that Great Plan to right wrongs as spelt out in Revelation 8. Fwahdom!

Yah, this post is an encouragement to pray for the BIG, HUGE stuff in life.

[alto]

aiyah, you should have told me - a month ago - they were selling these bands in london everywhere. =)

[pearlywhirls]

hmm i struggle between accepting that the world is the crappy way it is for now, so just live with it VS thinking there is sth i can do to change things.

guess prayer is always the solution. seeking God's will in the troubled world around us, pleading for mercy yet remaining surrendered in view of the end that is promised. lets pray on :)

[Errol]

Alto: aiyah,I just read the booklet mah.
Straits Times isn't terribly big on radical (and potentially marxist) issues like debt cancelation and grass root activism to shape political policies.
Contributors to Tomorrow.sg don't seem to care about issues beyond our shores unless it is stuffed full of sex and whatnot.
How come you didn't buy one?

Now all i need is some white cloth and a black pen.