Poverty is a complex condition, a mixture of generational practices, social oppression, undeveloped skills, beliefs about misfortune, destiny, purpose and value of mankind. Giving and sharing are essential to the health of any community. Jesus knows everyone intimately. He understands and knows who is suffering and why. Our Father takes notice of everything. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His knowledge. That would certainly be a disaster for the sparrow, but its fate is noticed by the all compassionate Father of all Creation.
Jesus taught that what we do to the least amongst us, we are doing to Him. Our actions betray our beliefs about our God, our neighbour, ourselves. Caring for the needs of others is an expression of being in tune with Him. Sometimes the fate of the sufferer is deserved…on such occasions, Jesus healed individuals and directed them ‘to sin no more’.
Those who relieve the poverty of others must seek to understand the context and respond in ways that permanently change the situation. The image above is of a victim of the violent attacks on Jaranwala on 16 August 2023. This man’s house was amongst the buildings destroyed by the mob on that day. The government sent funds for the rebuilding of churches and homes, but this man’s livelihood had been destroyed. The mob had burnt everything down to the ground. When our team met this dear man, they discovered he was a musician. They returned with a harmonium, a musical instrument used in praise and worship. The man was a worshipper and itinerant evangelist, he was totally lost without his harmonium. When he received his gift, he was transformed into one who could sing with joy once again. Able to provide for his needs once more and encouraged by the love of others, he remains truly grateful. The image was taken when the team visited him a year after the disaster.
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