The Loop

Welcome to this page of resources on Poverty. Poverty is real and has been around for thousands of years. Due to a myriad of causes, poverty will always be with us. It’s therefore easy to both oversimplify the issue or feel hopeless because the problem is so big.  

This approach leaves Christians hyper-focused on evangelism and saying things like “poverty is a social issue and Christians need to focus on the gospel”. Or the opposite: “Jesus came and helped those who were most ostracized by society, and that’s the church’s true mission”.  

As Christians who desire to please God in all we do, we refuse to accept either of those approaches. We don’t just need the Kingdom of God to come (social issues), we also need the King to come (discipleship and evangelism).   

The same Jesus who said:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

Is the same one who said...

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”  Matthew 25:37-40 NIV

The following resources are here to help you think Biblically about the issue of poverty as well as to equip you with some real and practical tips on what you can do to be Jesus in our world.  May the Lord Bless you as you choose which resources to tune into and what to do about all you learn.

Below is a podcast with Jeff Lee, Board Member of Family Promise, Steve Germani, Grant Manager with Wheeler Mission, and me, Matt Nickoson, Lead Pastor of Kingsway Christian Church. Listen as we discuss what poverty, specifically homelessness, looks like in our community while challenging our preconceived notions and even our understanding of this crisis.  

•  Going Deeper with Videos:
  • The Gospel and the Poor: A Case for Compassion with Tim Keller
  • Doing Justice and Mercy with Tim Keller
    
•  Going Deeper with Books and Articles:
  • When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself - Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert 
  • Crazy Love - Francis Chan 
  • What We Owe the Poor 
  • Jesus Builds His Kingdom with the Marginalized 
  • At the Intersection of the Church and the Economy: How One Pastor's Initiative is Helping Local Businesses 
  • Helping That Helps: 6 Principles for Poverty Alleviation

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