When we walk with people living in poverty, communicating God’s love is one of the most important messages we bear. For those who feel forgotten by God and devalued by the world, the truth of God’s love can transform everything.

A beautiful truth about mankind is that God made us in His image. Genesis 1:26-27 puts it simply.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

Being made in the image of God is good news! It’s a profound statement of the value of each person, and of God’s love for each of us.

In this episode, we explore what it means to be made in God’s image. Listen and find unexpected ways to say “I love you”–and surprising ways we might be undermining the message.

Mentioned in this episode:
A sermon from John Piper
Child sponsorship

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Why do people remain poor?

This episode addresses six obstacles to positive change for people living in poverty. When all six of these obstacles are lifted, the change process can occur.

1. Lack of education
2. Lack of resources
3. Human sinfulness
4. Satanic deception
5. Lack of supportive people
6. Presence of opposition

When I explained this lesson to my 5- and 6-year-old daughters, here’s the language they understood for describing the six obstacles.

1. No school
2. No money
3. Sin
4. Satan
5. Nobody helping
6. Mean people

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In this third foundational episode, we look at the roots of poverty. If we provide food, health, and education to people living in poverty, will we solve the problem? Or does poverty run deeper?

Key thoughts:

1. Our understanding of how life works must be defined by God. (Romans 12:2)
2. When we don’t listen to what God says about how life works, poverty happens somewhere. (Matthew 12:33-35)
3. Our quality of life is based on the behaviors of ourselves and those around us, and those behaviors are ultimately rooted in beliefs and values.
4. We must address the root causes of poverty—beliefs and values—in order to make lasting change.
5. Before pointing fingers, American Christians should examine our own alignment to biblical values.

Mentioned in this episode:

• unChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons
• Order a copy of the Poverty Unlocked 4-week curriculum

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This episode is the second in a series called “Laying the Foundation,” an update on the introductory episodes of Poverty Unlocked.

“’I just brought you the kingdom of God, and it’s a size 7 pair of shoes. But don’t thank me! Thank God…’ Does that strike anybody else as a pretty shallow kingdom?”

There is a difference between converts and disciples. Missional living is connected to wholistic ministry, but we need to make one step beyond living missionally. We discuss handing out food and shoes, and how to share Christ without undermining our message.

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This episode is the first in a series called “Laying the Foundation,” an update on the introductory episodes of Poverty Unlocked.

Poverty started in Genesis. It was solved by the Christ’s work on our behalf. Because of Christ’s work, poverty can be overcome today, and it will be completely solved when God brings about a new heaven and earth. Understanding the Biblical story of poverty helps us to understand how Christians should respond to injustice and worldwide needs.

Read Walking with the Poor by Bryant Myers to learn more about these foundational concepts.

Contact Wendy to request the new Poverty Unlocked 4-week curriculum for small groups and Sunday School classes.

More listening options:
Right-click to download.
Subscribe in iTunes.