Christian Charity is NOT Enough

Churches are champions for social justice, provide food, clothing and direct assistance to the poor, and advocate for legislative policy that can reduce poverty.  Unfortunately, that's not enough. 

Our organized protests and advocacy initiatives are not connected to broader strategies.  Cause-related giving is contingent and episodic.  We move hundreds of millions of dollars around.  We get quick hits from the news media.  Yet these mission-focused actions fall mostly within the ‘give-a-man-a-fish’ category.  Instead of using our millions to empower, we use them to increase dependence.  We do not ‘teach how to fish’. The people we help today need fish tomorrow.
 
Christians individually and our churches collectively control billions of dollars in the global economy.  Our wealth is distributed widely, is not organized, and is not very liquid.  However, if we are as committed to social change as we believe ourselves to be, Christians can no longer ignore God’s call to use the economic power within our grasp to advance our primary mission, to help the economically distressed (hungry, naked, and sick). 

We can begin by asking ourselves questions about ways our personal resources benefit our neighbors and our communities.  Are we banking with institutions that hold our money, but provide few services, pay little interest, and do not lend to local businesses or approve mortgages in our communities?  Are we purchasing from local businesses that invest and employ locally?  How much of our retirement investments are in companies that do business where we live or hire local residents and/or invest in our local economies?

Are churches asking the same questions about  purchases, banking, and investments?  Are we conserving energy in our buildings, or looking into solar panels or other renewable energy solutions that allow us to enhance the environment and devote more dollars to mission?  Are we participating in local food initiatives that encourage better nutrition, reduce hunger and generate local economic activity?  Are we using our cumulative economic power to create jobs and investment as we advance the mission of the church?

Our charitable inclinations make church folk feel aglow in innocence.  For Christians, however, charity is not enough.  Our global economy is in the hands of wolves.  It is time for Christians to be wise as serpents.

Patrick Duggan leads Abundant Communities Together, Inc. (ACT) a church-affiliated community development corporation.  ACT’s May 23^rd conference, On Purpose: The Church in a New Economic Paradigm will feature conversations with church leaders that excel in mission focused economic activities.   Click here for conference information.