Is clean water the solution to poverty? Or is it health care? Education, perhaps?

In this audio episode, Wendy McMahan speaks from years of experience in serving vulnerable communities and observing transformational development through the work of Food for the Hungry.

Journey with Wendy as she unpacks what it means to “consider the poor.” (Psalm 41:1) God’s solution to poverty just might surprise you.

Items mentioned in this episode

• Generous Justice by Tim Keller
• Sponsor a child

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Incorporate the end of world poverty into your list of New Year’s resolutions. Here are three New Year’s resolutions you can make that will change the world. Click the play button above to listen.

1. Get involved with one family in poverty around you. (Proverbs 19:17)
2. Get to know God by defending the cause of the poor and needy.  (Jeremiah 22:13-16)
3. Advocate for the poor.  (Proverbs 31:8, 9)

Did you know that the United Nations, Food for the Hungry and organizations around the world have New Year’s Resolutions too? They’re called the Millennium Development Goals. They’re actually more like “New Millennium Resolutions,” I suppose.

Bonus material in this episode: How to keep your New Year’s resolutions!

1. Make a declaration on paper
2. Set a deadline
3. Ask someone to keep you accountable

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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 interview, Bryant Myers responds to three questions…

• What is your definition of poverty?
• What is your definition of transformation?
• What is the biggest challenge facing development workers today?

Dr. Bryant Myers is Professor of Transformational Development at Fuller Theological Seminary. Previously he served at World Vision International as Vice President for International Program Strategy. Myers’ most recent books include Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practice of Transformational Development and Working with the Poor: New Insights and Learnings from Development Practitioners.

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I had the opportunity to interview Brian Fikkert, co-author of When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor… And Yourself.

In this conversation, Fikkert discusses…

• Diagnosing the causes of poverty
• How Western materialism has infected Christians’ work among the poor
• How Christians can use their gifts to do meaningful ministry
• Ministering out of brokenness

Dr. Brian Fikkert is Associate Professor of Economics and the founder and Executive Director of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College.

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Alisa Schmitz answers questions about church partnerships. When a church in the U.S. partners with a community in the developing world, life change occurs on both sides of the relationship. The overseas community can be released from poverty, and the U.S. church can also learn and grow. Ultimately, church partnerships exist to bring about the Kingdom of God.

In this episode…

1. The goal of long-term church partnerships
2. Preparation for short-term mission trips and ongoing relationships (Matthew 10:9-10)
3. Honoring the people we are serving (Ruth 2:15-16)
4. Keys to ongoing, vibrant relationships

Learn more about Community-2-Community partnerships – long-term relationships between American churches and communities in the developing world.

Alisa Schmitz is Senior Director of Global Engagement at Food for the Hungry.

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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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Questions and answers about gifts in kind. Are handouts ever appropriate in community development?

Andrew Crawford and Cameron Calabrese work for Gifts in Kind Resources at Food for the Hungry, a department that handles non-cash items going to other countries. In this interview we discuss if and when “handouts” are appropriate, a case study in charging a small amount rather than offering a handout, and Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda. Andrew and Cameron ask, “When was the last time you thought about Bangladesh?”

E-mail Cameron to learn more about shipping costs.

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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.

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People who live in poverty are experts on how to get through tough economic times. Here are some tips learned from people who live on less than two dollars a day.

Mentioned in this episode: Rooftop and Urban Gardening, a resource from ECHO

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