Last week Rachel Murray from NZBMS shared with us that half the world’s population lives off just $3.00 a day. According to “Action Against Hunger” 767 million people around the world live off less than $1.90 a day (that’s 10.7 % of the world’s population). So why is it that so many of us here in NZ worry about money, never feeling like we have enough to do the things we want?
UNICEF claims that 27% of our NZ children are currently living in income poverty. UNICEF describes child poverty as “children being deprived of the material, spiritual and emotional resources needed to survive, develop and thrive.” Jesus Christ, our loving God of justice would say “this is not right!” Our Lord lifted up the marginalised and oppressed, and therefore, so should we. The widow, the fatherless, the poor and the excluded should always be on our radar.
It must not just be secular organisations that fight for justice and equality in the world. The church world-wide should be at the forefront. Instead, our media reports things like popular mega-church leaders being involved in sexual scandals, empire building and monetary corruption. What are we allowing Satan to do to us? Are we remembering our armour while keeping our hearts soft at the same time?
God exiled Judah to Babylon because of their worship of other gods and failure to obey His laws. Jesus wept over the corruption of Jerusalem. The Mission of God, justice, righteousness, kindness and love should be part of the church’s DNA. What are we Connect people doing towards reaching people with the gospel of Christ? In what ways are we helping anyone less fortunate than ourselves? Are we involved in any justice initiatives? Is our walk with Jesus costing us? Followers of Jesus are not called to “feather our own nests.” We are called to be agents of change and transformation. Now that’s food for thought!
God once said this: “Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” Jeremiah 9:24.
About Pastor Julie
I’m passionate about the church – building believers up in their faith, to be all God intended them to be; and I’m passionate about sharing the love and hope of Jesus with people who don’t know Him yet.