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Charity begins inside the church walls
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I recently read a report that jobs are expected to return significantly in 2012 – just over 50% of the 7.2 million jobs lost thus far. Somehow, that is of no comfort to the now unemployed and under-employed. It begs the question, what do I do until then? You say to yourself, I’m out of savings, I’ve sold off part of my possessions, down-sized, cut-back, ate peanut butter, shop only at Wal-Mart, now what? I’ve even cut out medical, clothing, entertainment, air-conditioning, some of the heat, and still can’t make ends meet. This is what my friend refers to, I’ll call her R, as the” threshold of poverty”. It’s not by any means the same measurement used by the government that doesn’t take into account ‘real’ life.
Are Christians among this growing group of people who are unemployed, under-employed or had their wages slashed? You bet they are! A growing number of people, including Christians, are facing a financial crisis unlike anything they have ever experienced before. Some are forced to turn to food banks because while many foreigners qualify for food stamps and aide from government programs, a hard-working American, many who have worked all their lives, qualify for nothing. The options are few; the stress is tremendous.
Where do the needy church members turn when government-sponsored programs are not available? Churches are not equipped to become social agencies, but are churches missing the boat? Let me tell you about, I’ll call her, D. She needs help getting some fresh paint on her home, moving and storing some boxes, so she can sell her home after being unemployed for six months. Her pastor recently spoke of being an outreach to the community but when she spoke to him about her needs and mentioned the men and teenage boys in the church, he remained silent and offered no help. Churches have bills to pay and staff to take care of, sure.
D was also told in her Bible study class that “sometimes people just expect others to just jump up and help them right away.” I told D that the person who said that was not the one sitting up late at night worrying about how to get from Point A to Point B before all hope is lost. If they foreclose on D’s house, she won’t be able to get the equity out of the house that she has built up. Sometimes right away literally means better health, better peace of mind, coming out better, and certainly a closer relationship to God.
My friend R holds an M.Div degree, but while in seminary experienced something that she still bears the scars of. She says, “I believe there is a threshold of poverty. Below it and you are desperate by the moment … no hope, depression, and despair. Regardles of your faith, you’re trying, but the cupboards are bare! Ugh! Been there, done that! Humiliation beyond my wildest dreams!”
Seeking out options and allowing your needs to be known is what I heard in this morning’s sermon at my church. If churches are not there for the good of those who attend, it’s hard to think about reaching beyond those walls. D says poverty is demoralizing. Begging is dehumanizing. Ouch! I can feel their pain!
These are trying times for people. Paying attention to the stresses that this economy has placed on people who are already inside the church doors seems more practical than going outside and finding someone who has been on a troubling path most of their lives and got where they are through years of careless living. Can churches do better? I leave that for the reader. Some churches get it; sadly, some don’t.
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