Gods Heart for the Poor

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Gods Heart for the Poor

• There are over 2000 scriptures in the Bible
  relating to poverty
• OT Caring for the poor is a lifestyle
• NT Social justice forms part of establishing
  Gods kingdom here on earth
• Scriptures
• Isaiah 582-3, 6-8
• Matthew 2531-41
• Galatians 29-10

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What causes Poverty?

• Poverty exists as humankind allows injustice
• Poverty is not inevitable
• Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not
  natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and
  eradicated by the actions of human beings.
  Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity.
  It is an act of justice. It is the protection of
  a fundamental human right, the right to dignity
  and life (Nelson Mandela)

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Micah Challenge

• International Christian movement of churches and
  organisations united against the injustice of
  global poverty
• Inspired by OT prophet Micah to be a prophetic
  voice for the poor in our nation
• Aims to
• Galvanise Christians practically and politically
  with issues of poverty
• Ensure UK government honours its commitment to
  the poor

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Millennium Development Goals

• Goals and targets agreed by the world leaders at
  the UN Millennium Assembly in 2000
• Aim to reduce extreme poverty by 2015
• Measurable framework towards eradicating poverty
• Exciting opportunity for Christians to get
  involved in social justice

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HIV/AIDS Crisis

• MDG 6 Reverse spread of HIV AIDS, malaria and
  other major diseases
• 40 million people have AIDS worldwide
• Death toll 20 jumbo jets crashing every day
• Millions of children left orphaned

Josephine Njobvu 6 yrs old
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Prayer

• Dear Lord,
• we ask that you would show us Your heart for the
  poor. We pray that You would open our eyes to the
  opportunities to help the helpless and to care
  for those in need. We pray for children like
  Josephine who are innocent victims in the path of
  the AIDS epidemic and ask that You would provide
  for them. We ask for Your kingdom to come for
  Your righteousness and justice to reign in the
  nations.
• In Jesus name, Amen.
• ?