This week, I had the privilege of participating in a panel with several economists, theologians, and authors.
We shared on a book we coauthored, For the Least of These: A Biblical Answer to Poverty, edited and produced by Anne Bradley at Institute for Faith, Work & Economics.
Though I felt like a kid on junior varsity who just got bumped up to varsity, I was honored to participate on this book with people whom I deeply respect. The Christian Post highlights it here.
In brief, here are the five convictions I shared about poverty alleviation (my remarks start at minute 32:29):
- We lose when we begin the conversation with economic theory. When we talk in statistics and economics, we have an insular conversation and never reach a broader audience. We must communicate that we are not lovers of an economic system–but that we are lovers of people. Our goal is simply to figure out in today’s world how to best love God and love others.
- Affirm the Heart. Incredible needs exist in our world today. And more and more people are trying to do something to make a difference. This is a good thing! Celebrating the good intentions of others and assuming positive intent allows us to start the conversation on poverty alleviation from a common perspective.
- Traditional help can harm. After affirming our heart for people, we can ask the question about how to best help. We open our eyes to the problems associated with long-term charity that reinforces feelings of paternalism and dependency. See Robert Lupton’s cycle of dependency.
- We inevitably conclude a job is better than a handout. Even Bono is singing a new song. He recognizes that it is the market that has lifted people out of poverty.“[I’m a] rock-star preaching capitalism. Wow. Sometimes I hear myself, and I just can’t believe it. Commerce is real…aid is just a stopgap. Commerce—entrepreneurial capitalism—takes more people out of poverty than aid,” said Bono. With overwhelming evidence, we know that a job is better than a handout and that employment can unleash the creative potential of people and enable human flourishing.
- As good as a job is, it’s not enough. Poverty is more than physical. It’s also helplessness and hopelessness—which cannot be eliminated by prosperity alone. At the center of poverty alleviation efforts, we cannot ignore or forget the central role of faith and meaning.
Presentations:
Art Lindsley, vice president of theological initiatives for Institute for Faith, Work & Economics – 9:35-19:28
Anne Bradley, economist, vice president of economic initiatives for Institute for Faith, Work & Economics – 19:29- 32:26
Peter Greer, president and CEO for HOPE International – 32:29 – 44:10
Jay Richards, author of New York Times bestseller, Indivisible – 44:11- 56:33
