Missions

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Proverbs 21:13 - Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

The local authorities in Yangon recently cracked down on fake monks soliciting alms from the public, especially in areas frequented by tourists. It has been observed that a number of impostors were wearing the monk’s robe, positioning themselves in locations where tourists are passing and beg for money. Those who were caught turned out to be not from Yangon but coming from other states. The crackdown highlighted the increasing problem of street begging and taking advantage of tourists in the city.

Begging is a problem in most developing countries, a symptom of a deeper problem that is poverty. Living and generating income from the streets through begging, vending and even prostitution is common in megacities where population density is high but opportunities are quite limited especially for the poor. Begging is the easiest way to get the attention of other people and it thrives because there are people who are giving on impulse. Some people thought it is the easiest way to help the poor – just give and you have done your part. Some Christians also fall to this attitude of just throwing some loose change. Poverty is a complex issue that has to be tackled in a comprehensive way. It is not a matter of giving alms and think that the problem will disappear. Giving alms promote begging and dependency. So the question is how do we address poverty?

In Acts chapter 3, Peter encountered a lame beggar in the temple court. In the present time, we can consider the lame beggar as part of an organized group living off on begging, because there were people who regularly brought him to the temple court to beg. When he asked for money, Peter responded in this manner:
First, he said he has no money (v. 6a), emphasizing that money is the answer to the problem of poverty;
Second, he invoked the name of Jesus and told him to walk (v. 6b). The lame beggar was told to do the impossible thing for him, but not impossible if Christ is involved;
Third, Peter took him by the right hand, he helped him up (v. 7). There was an effort from Peter to assure the lame beggar that indeed what he has just spoken are not mere words because he is helping him. What Peter did was empowering!

We help the poor by extending our hands for them to rise, move from the present condition and walk away from their wretched condition. Helping the poor is not an issue of giving some loose change, but just like Peter, we have to engage. We can do this through Christian institutions helping the poor in a sustainable manner. We can give to programs that address the issue of poverty or we can also share your expertise if we have time.

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