Community Group Series 3

"Don't fail to do something just because you can't do everything." (Bob Pierce)

The third lesson in this series was one of the harder ones to watch and discuss, since it presented the problem and what's wrong with the picture, particularly extreme poverty (the kind that kills but is preventable).   It was clear in our discussions, that dealing with extreme poverty was a difficult challenge, but we each just need to do what God expects of us individually; and not do nothing just because it seems like too big a problem to resolve.

In the book, it said that, based on statistics and known resources, it is actually possible to wipe out extreme poverty, even if not all poverty.  Our time in history gives us the advantage of awareness, access, and ability to deal with it.   One of the greatest challenges facing us is this growing disparity between the rich and poor.  This disparity raises a moral and practical dilemna, because if all were poor, nobody would be in a position to help; and if all were rich, there would not be a problem; but, because there is this growing gap, the question arises over why the rich doesn't do something since they have the ability to do so.

Thus, the challenge to give.  We are reminded that "It has been said that you can give without loving, but you can't love without giving."   The 2 Corinthians 8:1-8 passage where Paul challenged the Corinthian church to give, using the example of generosity of the Macedonians who gave out of their poverty even beyond their ability because "they gave themselves first of all to the Lord."  Giving shows our love and recognition that we have received the grace of God.  And Christ is the ultimate example, for in vs 9, it said "though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor."   This is clearly illustrated in the Philippians 2:5-11 passage, where Christ "emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men."

A suggested application of this lesson was to consider the opportunities we have had in our lives and to "pay it forward".  As an example, because we have clean water to drink, and way to "pay it forward" might be to contribute towards building a well in a developing country to provide water to others.