Poverty, cause and cure (personal)

Just writing the title of this gives me a glimpse into the power trip that could influence writers. It took about two seconds to type- betraying the magnitude of the concept conveyed. I read a book a while ago titled "when helping hurts" wherein one of the main points was that we have to expand our view of 'poverty'. The authors explained that poverty is the result of a dysfunctional relationship in one or more of the following areas: with self, with others, with the rest of creation, with God.

The thought that is forming in my mind is: 1) how man has tried in each of these relationships to make it good, to make it right on their own, 2) a typical religious response, and 3) a reconciliation perspective.

First is our relationship with ourself. That's a strange thought in itself- that I could have a relationship with myself- so it's simply how I view myself (past, present, and future). In Maslov's hierarchy the top of the pyramid is 'self-actualization'. In pop psychology the idea is to look within, that all we need is already in us. There are many expressions of this today but the general idea is pretty much the same and permeates everyone to some degree. So we have self-help, self-fulfillment, human potential books, seminars, music, even sermons.

A typical religious response quotes plenty of scripture with the point that there is nothing good about ourselves, we have to die to self, deny self, etc. It can give a person the feeling of shame for just being human. I understand the point and it is based on some truth but if we are taking something away from someone (a faulty understanding of who they are), it would be loving and productive to offer a replacement that is more complete, not just leave them with a guilt/shame judgement.

A reconciliation perspective might look like this. Instead of outright rejecting the idea or reacting to the language, probe to find what is underneath the words to the real needs. Seek first to understand. I can see that this is a common human need and desire: to find my 'true' self and be all that I can be. Instead of squelching that desire, what about asking some questions to encourage a healthy pursuit and fulfillment? "Who made me? Why did he make me? How did he uniquely make me?" Better yet, have that conversation with God. He has created each of us to be unique and like the famous quote which I'm paraphrasing: "the world has yet to see a person who has become all they were created to be" Ok, it saw Jesus so the world has seen one person.

What keeps me from being all that I can be? Heb 12:2 gives me a clue "get rid of sin and the extra weight..." We were born programmed to put self first. God can transform us by the renewing our mind to find our life by losing it. Talk about upside down thinking.

next blog- relationship with others (social)