What exactly should the Church do when it witnesses abject poverty all around it? Well, the answer is simple really. Do what Jesus did! Now, that is a very wide and sweeping statement because most people do not know what Jesus ACTUALLY did! Many have heard of what He is alleged to have done, but have never read it for themselves. This article is not directed to Atheists or unbelievers, because we are in different frames of reference. It is directed to those who read the Bible, in whatever language or translation or commentary.
Let us start from the beginning. We need to define our terms first so that we are all talking about the same things or we have the same understanding. There are two kinds of poor people. The first kind, are those who are lowly paid for their services. In the days when people lived on the land, members of a community had access to the same land and tilled the land under the same weather conditions. In spite of that, their wealth was not equal. Some had more while others had less. The difference arose out of human strength, diligence, wisdom, intelligence and number of mouths to feed in a household. Naturally, we cannot all have the same wealth; (not ‘wealthy’ for my Bemba cousins). Under the same circumstances, there will always be inequalities. Thus, the lowly paid, are not poor in the real sense. There is every possibility for them to improve their fortunes and get better if they were prudent in their spending and thrifty as well as imaginative in their working practice. A sharp minded janitor may invent a vacuum cleaner in order to clean the carpets more efficiently. A coach carriage apprentice may tweak here and there and eventually produce one of the finest marques the world has ever known! A waiter in a hotel may rise to become a manager and eventually general manager in the chain. One must apply their minds to what they are doing, and no matter what it is, eventually their diligence, ingenuity and innovativeness will pay.[pullquote]Indeed, the western world is so prosperous today, and that not because everyone is a Christian, but the fundamental principles borrowed from the Judeo-Christian ethic have been widely applied in Europe and the Americas[/pullquote]
The second group of poor people are those who by reason of infirmity, extremity of age, bereavement or disability have been left with no means of livelihood. Some may also become poor through natural disasters or having fallen victim to robbers or the hegemony of state institutions. Some become poor because their property has been unjustly confiscated or they have had to flee their homes to seek refuge elsewhere. These ill people, widows, orphans, prisoners, refugees and victims of famines and other natural disasters ARE the real poor. It behoves us and the state to take care of these. Jesus said that this class of poor people will always be with us. We have every opportunity to engage governments and indeed our own selves to cooperate with government to relieve the suffering of this class of citizenry.
What would Jesus do? On the very first day of His public ministry, Jesus proclaimed that God’s Spirit was upon Him and He was specially selected (anointed) to, inter alia, and ‘proclaim good news to the poor.’ What is the good news that the poor need to hear? Whichever class of poor people, mentioned above, that one belonged to, they need good news. To the lowly paid: conversion to Christianity or even mere adoption of Biblical principles of life will bring you out of poverty and into prosperity. Obedience to the word of God is the surest way to a prosperous life, whether spiritually, physically or materially! Indeed, the western world is so prosperous today, and that not because everyone is a Christian, but the fundamental principles borrowed from the Judeo-Christian ethic have been widely applied in Europe and the Americas. The ‘good news of the kingdom of heaven’ will bring you prosperity. There would be no corruption if every man ‘did unto others as they would be done unto themselves.’ There would be no poverty if we did not let ‘him that does not work eat.’ There would be wealth spread abroad if we cared for the widows and the fatherless.
This is the message that the Church must be proclaiming. Instead, the church is busy pointing fingers at governments. Governments do not make money. Governments spend money. President Reagan put it so well. Tyrannical governments can impoverish their people, as we saw in the Communist regimes, but a good democratic government cannot put more money in people’s pockets either. People must be encouraged to follow the way of the Holy Scriptures. They must be discouraged from covetousness, but to be content with what they have lawfully received and earned. The church must pray for those in authority, knowing that ‘the powers that be are ordained by God,’ that these may enact just laws. The role of the state is to protect life, property and individual liberties and freedoms.
If the Church did this, it will have fulfilled its mandate and great commission to ‘preach the good news of the kingdom.’
By Dr Charles Ngoma
Thanks Dr Ngoma for this one. The church has really changed today. Neveus started with “Zambia shall be saved” and I was thinking his vision was to fight corruption, injustice and ensure that the rule of law takes root in Zambia. Unfortuantely, the church is now used to enhance personal power, generate self wealth and popularity. Jesus is not longer the center, but rather an usher to bring in people to see the great man of gold. Tith 100% and you will get 1000% more says the man of gold to the poor.
Peace is not only the absence of tension. Where there’s injustice, exploitation, and economic-social oppression as we witness it in our poor ghettos, truly PEACE and religious love is absent! The beckon of a sound church is HOPE and DEEDS! A sound church can never preach silence when mankind is threatened with economic nuclear annihilation in their community. A genuine church true to its mission MUST always call for an end to the economic marginalization,social class injustices and oppression in their backyard and nation as a whole. Peace in a nation,like peace on earth as God intended, is only attainable when there’s affirmation of fairness, justice and equal opportunities for all. By opportunities, in no way does this mean nepotism&corruption.Â
Cont….
But creating an ENVIRONMENT in which everyone’s dream has room to thrive.
How would the poor& able worship God whole heartedly under such as the above injustices webbed by lies,lies ,lies of the very people in govt whom the poor entrusted with power to protect and provide for their interests? How can the poor be emancipated from poverty when their opportunities to excel are stifled & dwarfed by the govt and their accomplices? Govt must change their ways from monologue to dialogue in order to understand the poor’s condition. And the church must continue to step up its noble mission for justice&peace.
Therefore, It’s sad that a learned Dr can not articulate theologically the relationship of man’s wellbeing on earth, and his soul& spiritual salvation in heaven! A religion true to Its nature must be concerned about man’s social&environmental conditions for the SOUL to flourish after It’s been converted ,thereby uniting it with God’s heavenly salvation.A religion that confesses to be genuinely concerned with the soul& heaven of man and neglects the conditions of the slums&ghettos of the poor &the poor’s welfare that condemn them,the pain of economic oppression that strangle them, and the social exploitation that cripple their opportunities& full potential, is a dry as dust religion! Such a negligent religion only exists in Dr Ngoma’s world…..
Shufuni,
I can only agree with your observation.
Sad development! First it was the “prosperity gospel movement”, now it is the Nigerian influence.
One hopes the boy in the picture is being paid something for being brought into public domain.
I have not thoroughly read this article. I have just taken glances here and there. The article does not seem to have clear direction of thought but the terms used merely deliver the fact that the author is a learned person. The main problem in Zambia is the belief that job is in the office. I have followed the PF comments on job creation, they say they are working out modalities to give Zambian decent jobs. Whatever they mean by decent jobs; its their nature not to provide clear and coherence policies. What the deported priest said, is a serious issue. Provide an environment in which citizen can employ themselves. Agriculture can not be replaced by anything. But if farmers cant sale their produce and are being swaddled and govt cant come their aid; no time wasting, PF vacant office.
Thanks.. in a direct response to the heading of your well-written article, The church ought to do what Jesus did, proclaiming the gospel..not just the good news about Jesus.. but actually practically caring for the less privileged in society..If we accept all classes of society in our churches and model what Jesus did by accepting people who are ‘poor’ by practically going out of our way care for them, it will attract them to us and the good news of Jesus..through this and by the power of the Holy Spirit, they will come to God in Salvation ..but it would be wrong for the church to think evangelism is just going to the compounds and preaching God’s word..without also being practical and doing things to alleviate poverty..orphans need caring, unskilled people need training(a few examples)
Sorry Pembu. I think the author is directing his thoughts to you when you say what Jesus did and yet you have not read. Jesus did not care for the poor the way you are suggesting. Jesus never fed the poor. He never clothed the poor. He never gave money to the poor. He taught them and preached the gospel to them. It is teaching that takes men out of poverty, if they follow the teaching. Jesus healed the sick and gave sight to the blind and raised the dead, but those were not poor.
Kwathu, you are right that you haven’t read the article.
The author is very clear in two points really. The church must preach the gospel. It doesn’t matter whether people get spiritual salvation or not, but when they adhere to biblical principles, they will prosper. Zambia is a Christian nation but how many people in Zambia put in an honest day’s work? So many, even Christians, do not know honesty and integrity at work! The private internet traffic is highest Monday to Friday! Begging is not shameful. Borrowing without ever returning is the norm. That is what the problem is. Dr Ngoma is spot on. Churches should teach the congregants these things.
You are very right in this aspect; but friends also know that Zambians are working very hard. If that was not the case, who are the producers of bumper harvests. The policy environment should equally be addressed so that people can get the benefit of their sweat. If you preach one sided message asking people to work hard and leave out asking govt to address policy issues, we will still be at a loss. How do we allow a situation like that of cotton as an example. We must address injustice.
Go to most churches in Zambia on a Sunday morning and you will find that the service is advertised as starting at 10:00, but half of the congragation has not appeared by 10:30! How can a nation develop when its people CANNOT keep time? The market must be liberalised. The government should NEVER be involved in buying produce because it FIXES prices. Fixing prices is theft. The church must preach to its people to vote for maen and women of integrity and not political parties. The catholic church was totally out of order to support a particular party, regardless of the dubious characters involved.
‘not ‘wealthy’ for my Bemba cousins’
When is that rubbish of ‘cousins’ going to end? it encourages contemp at the expense of real issue, it certaly should NOT be encouraged if we are to prosper.
I personally do NOT have any tribal cousins and i point it out to anyone trying to displaying presumptive buffonary in my way….
That’s just humour! Chill out!
Very chilled indeed, ‘humour’ should never distract from serious matters. Did you listen to Mr Sata’s ‘light moment’ comments on Mr Bush…..he was in your so called ‘humour’ mode but it did not go very well.
Very chilled indeed, ‘humour’ should never distract from serious matters. Did you listen to Mr Sata’s ‘light moment’ comments on Mr Bush…..he was in your so called ‘humour’ mode but it did not go very well.
malume..@Golide chakuti chakuti…valani kamwa ngati mulibe vokamba…..kununka pamatako
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It is very true that everyone must work in order to eat and that the old, blind, widows etc must be taken care of by a compassionate society or nation. The problem with today’s world is that 1% of people have accumulated and stored up all the wealth leaving very little wealth to create more wealth and jobs. People who are eager and so desperate to work do not have work because work can only be generated as wealth is being created. Unfortunately in today’s world, the majority of the wealthy people particularly in Zambia are wealth accumulators instead or wealth creators. Resources and wealth are tied up for future use while the present suffers in perpetuity. The church has a lot more work to even get the blind receive compassion!
Alam Chivunga Mphande
The church has really lost it…main problem we have is that pastors are not going into ministry because they are called or have the desire to serve people. Most of them take advantage of the opportunity by stealling from the vulnerability people and amass wealth. The only way to avoid this is for people to open their eyes and be wise. I for one i have taken it upoun myself to study scriptures diligently so that no one can fool me into…sowing seeds, give with a cheerful heart, give and it shall be given back to you messages. BE WISE PEOPLE!!!! DONT BE FOOLED BY MODERN DAY PENTECOLISM of enriching pastors while you continue to walllow in poverty.