Wasted Charity. Robert Lupton's new book is going to ruffle some feathers. In Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It) (HarperOne), the 40-year veteran urban minister "takes the gloves off" and argues that much of Americans' charitable giving "is either wasted or actually harms the people it is targeted to help.
" The reason is that the "compassion industry" is "almost universally accepted as a virtuous and constructive enterprise," but its "outcomes are almost entirely unexamined. " Years of charitable giving at home and abroad, Lupton contends, have made barely a dent in reducing poverty and often encourage dependency.
Toxic Charity offers some statistics, but more stories, as evidence that both our philosophy and practice of charity are frequently misguided. The news here is painful. Our self-centeredness contributes to the problem. Short-term mission trips are a case in point. Lupton does offer some ideas for improvement. Browse All Book Reviews By: How Charity Can Be Toxic, Just in Time for Christmas. Bob Lupton has seen both the blessings and curses of charity, cases where giving can both empower and disempower members of a community. As churches encourage giving and service projects around the Christmas season, Lupton encourages caution. How are churches measuring their outcomes, ensuring they aren't keeping people in places of need?
Christianity Today's online editor Sarah Pulliam Bailey spoke with Lupton during the Christian Community Development Association conference about ways Christians can navigate the charity waters. How do you see charity hurting families? I'm seeing one-way giving, doing for people what they have the capacity to do for themselves in a way that disempowers them.
The following Christmas, we did a "dignity for dads" promotion, or "pride for parents. " This sounds more pragmatic or psychological. Dignity is given to us by our creator. We asked recipients of our free food, "Would anybody be interested in joining in a food co-op? " What about foreign aid? The Challenges of Urban Ministry - ReformedForum.org. Book Reviews. Called to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons Michael Brown, Ed. Reviewed by: Zachary R. Keele Date posted: 11/30/2008 Called to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons, edited by Michael Brown. Published by Reformed Fellowship, 2007. Paperback, 280 pages, list price $15.00. The previous OP historian once told me that the OPC was American Presbyterianism with a good shot in the arm of Dutch Calvinism. This is a collection of essays to help and encourage elders and deacons to "serve Christ and his church" (p. x).
The sixteen chapters cover a wide range of topics. As is not uncommon for books like this, more attention could be given to the office of deacon. The editor, Michael Brown, contributed a more provocative chapter entitled "Should We Allow Baptists to Join a Reformed Church? " Nevertheless, this is part of the value of discussion between brethren, so that iron will sharpen iron. The Chalmers Center.
Dishonesty or the sin of theft and of injustice -- Jonathan Edwards. Dated July, 1740. "Thou shalt not steal. " -- Exodus 20:15 Subject: An unjust usurping of our neighbor’s property without his consent is forbidden by the eighth commandment. This is one of the ten commandments which constitute a summary of man’s duty, as revealed by God. God made many revelations to the children of Israel in the wilderness by Moses. But this made in the ten commandments is the chief. Most of those other revelations contained ceremonial or judicial laws; but this contains the moral law. The most of those other laws respected the Jewish nation; but here is a summary of laws binding on all mankind. These commands were given at Mount Sinai, before any of the precepts of the ceremonial or judicial laws.
So much is doubtless comprehended in the text; yet this comprehends much more than is implied in the ordinary use of the word, stealing; which is only a secret taking of that which is another’s from his possession, without either his consent or knowledge. Dishonest excuses. Dishonesty or the Sin of Theft and of Injustice. Christian Charity -- Jonathan Edwards.
PCA. OPC. Deacons Handbook Excerpt.