The background, cultural info that I talked about in looking at the Good Samaritan were found in "Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels" by Ken Bailey, IVP.
The microfinancing organization I mentioned can be found at www.kiva.org. Another microfinancing organization is Opportunity International www.opportunity.org and Opportunity International is overtly Christian and clearly states that is does what it does out of the love of Jesus Christ.
Curious, it sounds like these types of "opportunities" would be easy to abuse. Where is the accountability? How much of the loan is processed as overhead? How do you know if the recipient is legit?
I personally think poverty in our world as we know it speaks loudly in condemnation of our human greed; there is absolutely no good reason why so many people should have to suffer while relatively few have access to so many resources. If we were talking about squirrels gathering acorns, it might be ridiculous, but we are talking about human lives.
Personally, I am much more ... what's the word, inclined to address poverty right here in Champaign. I want to know that the money (and my time) are going directly and most effectively towards getting someone on their feet. I want to be able to face-to-face with those I am helping. Do not get me wrong, I think poverty on the national level (not to mention the slew of other atrocities that exist) is much more severe and in need of attention, and I appreciate what folks in position of power and persuasion (Bono, Oprah, Bill Gates, etc) are doing to help and seed awareness.
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If anyone's interested: The
If anyone's interested:
The background, cultural info that I talked about in looking at the Good Samaritan were found in "Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels" by Ken Bailey, IVP.
The microfinancing organization I mentioned can be found at www.kiva.org. Another microfinancing organization is Opportunity International www.opportunity.org and Opportunity International is overtly Christian and clearly states that is does what it does out of the love of Jesus Christ.
Go be a neighbor!
Is trust an
Is trust an issue?
Curious, it sounds like these types of "opportunities" would be easy to abuse. Where is the accountability? How much of the loan is processed as overhead? How do you know if the recipient is legit?
I personally think poverty in our world as we know it speaks loudly in condemnation of our human greed; there is absolutely no good reason why so many people should have to suffer while relatively few have access to so many resources. If we were talking about squirrels gathering acorns, it might be ridiculous, but we are talking about human lives.
Personally, I am much more ... what's the word, inclined to address poverty right here in Champaign. I want to know that the money (and my time) are going directly and most effectively towards getting someone on their feet. I want to be able to face-to-face with those I am helping. Do not get me wrong, I think poverty on the national level (not to mention the slew of other atrocities that exist) is much more severe and in need of attention, and I appreciate what folks in position of power and persuasion (Bono, Oprah, Bill Gates, etc) are doing to help and seed awareness.
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