"Toxic Charity?"

“Toxic Charity” – what an idea! Robert Lupton, a man with four decades of experience in urban ministry, wrote a book that challenges our ideas of giving.  “Our self-centeredness contributes to the problem. We evaluate our giving,” Lupton argues, "by the rewards we receive through service, rather than the benefits received by the served."  He asks us to think about the way we minister to the poor.  Are we focused on feeling good or bringing about the best result for the person in need? The answer is not as simple as we might think. A hand-out, whether from government or a church ministry, can steal a person’s dignity and perpetuate a cycle of dependency. (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/november/review-toxic-charity.html)

In Acts 3, we read the story of Peter and John going to the Temple to pray. On their way they passed a man “crippled from birth” who sat everyday at the gate begging. He asked for a coin to buy his dinner. Peter’s response to the man is a well-known text. “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6, NIV) Because they had no money, they had to pause to pray and God used their pennilessness to re-direct them from mere charity to miraculous intervention! This man now had an opportunity for a whole new life. We don’t know what happened to him, but I would guess he became part of the new church community, a place that could support him as he discovered a life with dignity and purpose.

Could it be that the wealth of the American church robs us of our true spiritual ministry and power? 

Is our ultra-productive, bottom-line focus on results keeping us from ‘inefficient’ love for others?

Think of modern healing ministry. A quick prayer, full of fire and faith, is offered up for the person who is suffering. Yet the word tells us "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:14-16, NIV) James contextualizes healing in the person’s life and choices. A moment of ministry may bring some relief, but it takes time, wisdom, and the love of the Spirit working through us to bring about restoration of the purpose of God in a person’s life. Our aim in ministry must be to touch the whole person. We are often content to treat symptoms. Why, because ministering wholeness is much more difficult, time-consuming, and costly than offering up a prayer or giving a donation.

It’s so much easier to throw our money at a need than it is to give our time or invest our lives. By way of example, think of this. Christians give $millions to pro-life causes here in America each year. They pay for centers that counsel those who find themselves considering abortion. That’s all good, but would we consider opening our homes to a young woman whose pregnancy has alienated her from family or boyfriend? Yes, I know how disrupting that can be! Bev and I have extended hospitality to many people over the years. It’s not easy to do. Having someone in your home is much more costly that giving a monthly donation to a ministry!

This Christmas, will you give the best gifts?

Will you just give to feel good about your charity or will you give to meet the deepest need of another?

Here’s a word from the Word that describes how God gave. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV)

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