I could tell just by looking at them it was a miserable business. The poor selling to the poor, and everyone staying poor in the process. So, Bishop Idahosa’s next statement was a stunner.
“The woman who gave me this car used to be one of those peddlers,” he said. “She was living on pennies a day, but then she got hold of The WORD of God. She found out that Jesus had delivered her from poverty and learned about sowing and reaping. She believed it and started acting on it. Before long, God put her in the real oil business. She went from selling the used stuff to selling the real thing—in a big way!”
I didn’t have to ask him if she was successful at it. I was riding in the answer to that question. Clearly, God had done for that woman what no amount of charitable handouts ever could have. He’d lifted her out of poverty, not by sending people to give her money, but by sending her His WORD to get the poverty out of her!
Good News for the Poor
Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not against giving to those in need. On the contrary, I’m highly in favor of it. I make it a priority in my life and ministry because Jesus did. What’s more, I love it. It’s a joy. But even so, I’m always aware that just giving someone money cannot solve the poverty problem in his or her life.
FEB '14 : BVOV : 5
