Global poverty is nothing new as it is something the world has been facing for a very long time. While it is easy to not pay attention to these issues if they are not personally affecting us, it is important that we address these issues.
Despite you might not personally be experiencing global poverty, it is important to know that many people are facing it across the globe. As believers, we cannot turn a deaf ear to the needs of others.
Maybe fighting global poverty is something that is close to your heart or maybe it is something you have recently gotten into. Either way, you have the need in your heart that you should help in the matter of global poverty.
Global poverty is something that is tricky to combat, and it is not something that can be fixed overnight. Rather, it will take much time, effort, and energy before global poverty will be fully eradicated. In other words, there is not an easy fix to this issue.
If you want to help in the cause of fighting against global poverty, you have come to the right place. As believers, we are not to overlook this issue, nor should we turn our hearts away from the cause. God wants us to care about the poor and oppressed.
It pains Him to see so many people throughout the world struggling and in a bad situation. While God has the power to heal and fix all the problems in the world, He normally does not work in the world in this way today.
Instead, God uses people such as yourself to help fight against global poverty. The results of your labor and energy might not come to fruition overnight; however, in time, you will be able to help more people in their struggles with poverty across the globe.
This is a noble cause and one that is very important. Even though there are numerous ways for you to get involved, I am limiting the list to a few ideas to help you get started.
Here are five ways Christians can help fight against global poverty.
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1. Donate to Organizations
One way Christians can help fight global poverty is to donate to organizations that help in this cause. A few of these organizations are Compassion International, Samaritan’s Purse, and Join the Journey. Each of these organizations helps in the cause of ending global poverty.
Although this will be a huge task, every effort helps in their mission. If you want to make a difference in the lives of those being affected by global poverty, try to make a donation to one of these organizations. Even if you have another place you would like to donate to, that is a great option.
What is important is that you are helping to fight against global poverty. Global poverty is something that needs to be addressed within Christian circles and you could be the first within your circle to start talking about this issue.
Once you make a donation to an organization that helps fight against global poverty, you can tell your friends about it. It could be they also will be interested in helping in the cause. The more people you tell, the more people will be interested in donating funds to these organizations.
As more people donate to these organizations, there will be more help sent out to those struggling with poverty. To help those struggling in poverty is to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Helping the poor is very important to God and something that we also need to see as important. Fighting global poverty is no easy task, but it is not an impossible task.
As we donate funds and tell others about these causes, the more help will be administered to those who are struggling. Keep on working towards ending global poverty and you will be a light of Jesus to those who are struggling through poverty.
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2. Volunteer with Organizations
A second way Christians can help fight global poverty is to volunteer with an organization. The organization should be an organization that works to fight against global poverty.
It could be one of the organizations listed above or you could volunteer to help those struggling with poverty in your own city.
Global poverty also includes those who are living in your own hometown. There are tangible ways you can help them, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen, helping out at a shelter, or donating food to a food pantry.
Even though these things might be viewed as “small,” they are actually huge things that can really help.
Global poverty is a huge thing to combat; however, all of these small steps can help in many ways. As you volunteer with organizations that help fight global poverty, you will be able to learn more about it and know how to better educate others.
More than just talking to your friends about this issue, you will also be able to educate them. By physically volunteering with these organizations, you will be able to learn more than you could ever learn online.
You will be able to see with your own eyes the pain and hardships of those who are struggling through poverty.
Not only this, but you will also be able to connect with these individuals on a closer level when you volunteer. You will be able to learn about the person as an individual and know what you can do to help them.
Sadly, there is much misinformation out in the world about those struggling in poverty. People deem them as “lazy” when in actuality, they are not. Many people across the world face generational poverty as well as unfair pay, which results in them facing poverty.
As you volunteer and stand beside those struggling, you will be better able to understand the effects of global poverty on an individual.
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3. Pray for Those Being Affected
Praying for those affected by global poverty is a third way Christians can help fight against this tragedy. Do not overlook prayer and do not see it as a last resort. Instead, go to prayer now and ask God for His help.
Tell Him how the matter of global poverty has fallen on your heart and how you need His help. God can do all things and we should never overlook what He will do.
As mentioned, God might not dramatically heal the world of global poverty even though He can, but rather we need to remember that He will use you as an individual to make a difference.
Through your prayers, it will also be a great chance to ask God for strength and security as you fight against global poverty.
As you are praying, do not neglect to also pray for more people to stand beside you in your cause. Ask the Lord to bring others into your life who will also be passionate about fighting against global poverty.
Just as God listens to all of your prayers, He will not miss this one. Although it might take some time, keep on waiting on the Lord. He will bring other people into your life who will also be passionate about this cause.
It is hard to make a difference as one individual person; however, as more people also have this cause placed upon your heart, there will be more people involved in making a difference.
There is power in numbers. It is also important to mention that in your prayers, you can also pray for direct people groups who are being affected by global poverty. You could also pray by name for those you meet or know who are personally going through poverty.
All these things make your prayers more personal and make them more known. While you are waiting for your prayers to be answered, continue doing all you can to fight against global poverty. When times get hard, remind yourself that God is working, and His purposes will prevail.
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4. Raise Awareness
Raising awareness is a fourth way Christians can help fight global poverty. Normally we only think of raising awareness of health concerns, such as heart disease or cancer; however, we can bring awareness to anything.
One of these things can include bringing awareness to global poverty. There are many people who are not familiar with or knowledgeable about global poverty. By bringing awareness to the issue, more people will be prone to join you in your fight against it.
Raising awareness might require you to step out of your comfort zone, but it is worth it to know that you are combating poverty across the globe.
A few ways you can raise awareness are by doing a fundraiser, making t-shirts, or sharing information about global poverty on your social media page.
If you choose to do a fundraiser, try to think of something that is related to fighting global poverty. Maybe this could be teaming up with one of the organizations mentioned earlier or doing a bake sale.
If you choose to make t-shirts to raise awareness, make sure to include important information on the shirt that will catch the eye of others, such as statistics. If t-shirts are not your thing, try bracelets or necklaces that say, “Fight to End Global Poverty.”
Lastly, if you choose to raise awareness through your social media page, adding hashtags or tagging specific organizations might be helpful. By sharing awareness on your social media page, it can help more people become educated on the matter.
As mentioned, many people are not aware of this issue, and they need to know just how severe global poverty has become over the years.
It is time for Christians to help fight against global poverty and raising awareness can be one of the many steps in the right direction. Never underestimate what you can do by a simple share on the computer or your phone.
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5. Avoid Buying Products That Increase Poverty
A fifth way Christians can help fight global poverty is to avoid buying products that increase poverty. What I mean by this is that there are products that increase poverty, and these are the products we need to avoid.
There are many big-name retailers and food lines that use child labor or inhumane conditions on their workers. These include sweatshops, which are incredibly inhumane and can cause death in many of their workers.
As individuals, we have to decide if we are going to continue buying from these organizations or not. Following Jesus means it is important we do not endorse nor support those who cause others to face injustice.
Whenever you are about to purchase a product, do some research behind the organization. You might be surprised as to how many of your favorite foods and stores use child labor or inhumane working traditions.
While many of these organizations have sought out ways to change, there are many who continue exploiting the poor. As Christians, we need to see this as a problem and address it. We do not need to look the other way, nor do we need to see this as “no big deal.”
It is difficult to stop buying your favorite brand of clothes or food; however, it will be more difficult if you continue giving your money to increase the poverty of those who are already struggling severely.
Think about these things and pray over them. Many of us turn away from select organizations and companies once we learn the tragic reality behind the way they run their businesses.
These companies do not deserve your business because they are only hurting the poor. Choose to go against these companies and buy from companies that treat their employees correctly.
Christians can help fight against global poverty in many ways, including donating to organizations, volunteering at organizations, praying, raising awareness, and avoiding buying products that increase poverty.
For further reading:
What Does the Bible Say about Poverty?
How Did Jesus View Wealth and Poverty?
What Does the Bible Say about the Poor?
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Originally published Monday, 23 October 2023.