Barefoot Tribe by Palmer Chinchen PhD

Author:Palmer Chinchen, PhD
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Howard Books

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I REALIZE IT sounds audacious, but we really can end extreme poverty, and it’s time.

The most respected experts in the field, like the economist Jeffrey Sachs, are convinced we can turn the tables on extreme poverty. Sachs believes it can be accomplished by the year 2025. 1 The key, however, is for all of us to commit to turning the tide. Our efforts must be collaborative, and massive, and concentrated. Then the poorest of the poor can be freed from the poverty trap.

It is time for us to care more about poverty. We’ve shrugged our shoulders long enough. We’ve turned a blind eye too many times. Now that the cry of the chronically hungry has reached your ears, what will you do?

The problem is we’re simply not bothered enough by extreme poverty, let alone angered. We act saddened, but we certainly don’t live like we should, or can, end it. We know the Bible says God is for the poor, but that never seems to motivate us to do much about their plight.

The evangelical has always been good at evangelism. But what people around us often don’t know is that Jesus came to bring a better life now; in addition to eternal life, he came to tell us that the kingdom of heaven has come to earth. Please don’t dismiss this as some cheap prosperity gospel. What I want you to see is that Jesus cared as much about poverty in the slums as he did about the poverty of the soul.

Jesus said, “Feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, put clothes on the naked.” 2 “If someone asks for your jacket, give them your shirt too.” 3 “When the man outside your gate begs for food, and you ignore him, you will be the one who ends up in hell.” 4

When the five thousand were hungry, he stopped his preaching to give them something to eat. When the lame man lay useless on his mat, Jesus took him by the hand and made his legs strong again. When the lepers begged for mercy, he healed their sores.

Yes, the good news is spiritual and has eternal consequences for your soul, but the good news is also physical and must change the way you live every day.

At one point in Jesus’ ministry he has the most revealing conversation with a successful businessman. The affluent young man approaches Jesus and asks what is required to gain a deeper spirituality. Jesus comes back with this: “Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 5 The man refuses. Jesus’ summary is this: it’s hard to get into heaven if you don’t care about hell on earth.

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