Christians Battle Against Poverty

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Let’s look at some cold hard facts in the world surrounding us. Many of us live in comfortable lives—plenty of food, a car for every member of the household, a roof over our heads, parents with steady jobs, etc. Thus, America’s comfortable bubble is formed. That is a fact, right? Well since we all know about America, we should take a step outside of that cozy bubble around us and look at the rest of the world. We will soon see the reality of the world surrounding us.

So many of us know the typical stereotypes such as starving children in Africa, or the overworked children of China, or even the uneducated people of South America. However, how many of us have been face to face with the reality of the everyday lifestyle that these people endure? Not many of us have encountered the estimated 15 million children that have lost a parent due to AIDS according to Compassion.com. We have not faced food-borne diseases to the extent that our country has 1.8 million people die annually, most of which are children. This reality is heart breaking, but it has also inspired some to fight for those affected by these worldwide crises.

History of Compassion

How do we respond to such an unforgiving reality? According to Compassion.com, in 1952, an American evangelist named Everett Swanson was in South Korea during the Korean War. As he walked through the streets of Seoul, he watched citizens stack bags containing the bodies of dead homeless children that were killed during the previous night. Swanson left the country with a heavy heart for the children in Korea. A certain passage in biblical scripture ran on in his mind—Matthew 15:32—where Jesus says, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing...

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... will be forced to leave the program.

Ending the Battle

We see a harsh reality that we cannot escape, but we can continue to fight it if we choose to. Compassion has done just that. Therefore, the choice to step outside that cozy bubble is ours. In Philippians 4:13, Paul states that we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” Whatever our final decision is could change the world if we are ready.

Works Cited

Child Sponsorship.” Compassion.com. Web. 27 Feb. 2012.

“Facts About Poverty.” Compassion.com. Web. 28 Feb. 2012.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008. Print.

“Mission Statement.” Compassion.com. Web. 28 Feb. 2012.

“Our History.” Compassion.com. Web. 27 Feb. 2012.

“What Makes Us Distinct.” Compassion.com. Web. 28 Feb. 2012.

www.Compassion.com. Compassion International, 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2012.

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