I started writing this post for Blog Action Day, describing how service to the poor was woven into the law of the Israelites from the beginning. Then I deleted it and talked about Jesus and his view of the poor. Then I deleted it and got writers block.
There is a world of information I could bring, a huge number of quotes. I could base my post on Bono’s perspective, or rail against the leaders of the western world for their inaction.
Instead, I am going to keep it simple and stick with one little scripture that says it all, from the letter written by James.
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
My prayer is that followers of Christ all over the world will take this scripture and live by it. If that truly happened, how much poverty would really be left in the world?
It’s on me. It’s on you.
It’s
our
responsibility
to
do
something.
This post is part of Blog Action Day 08 – Poverty
Great verses from James .. you kept it simple alright ..simple enough for me to understand and be found wanting. I am being very challenged in these areas as of late.
Yours is my favorite post that I read on this subject today. I was going to write one but it would have been one sentance. “I dare not write anything on poverty unless I am ready to back up my words with meaningful action.”
Mark, this post challenges me as much as anybody else.
Barb, thank you. And you make a fantastic point – these words must be backed up or they are a bit pointless.
You know what really annoys me?
When good protestants take this verse and say that if you follow it then it constitutes ‘faith by deeds’ which clashing causing a hate filled resonance to sprite up towards Catholicism.
I like this post. Continue.
Shalom.
http://mark-bymaswell.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-action-day-2008-poverty.html – here is the link, I went in early as I was bush during the day it was suppose to be posted.
cj, thank you. Many people I know have this same aversion to “works” and even dislike groups like the Salvation Army, because they apparently have it all wrong and are substituting deeds for faith.
Mark, thanks! I didn’t scroll down far enough on your blog, obviously. Great post.