Christian viewpoint

Posted: Aug 01, 2008 by Matt Newboult

The following is part 2 of a series of 4 our church was asked to write for the local weekly paper The Westmorland Gazette. They came under the heading “Christian viewpoint” I’ve reproduced them here for anyone who missed the original.

“CHARITY begins at home and that is where it should stay!” Charity in the Bible means love, a practical, selfless caring which esteems justice, lifts the oppressed, and is offered to people of all faiths and none. That is the essence of Christian Aid.

In Bangladesh, some people carry water for 24 hours, since rising sea levels are making fresh water salty. In some countries, medical help Is far away. Children have to work in poor conditions, to keep the family from starvation. What we take for granted, is luxury in many parts of the world.’

With financial help, people in Malawi are learning new ways to care for their land, building ridges on the sloping ground to trap precious rainwater, preventing soil erosion in downpours. Families have treadle pumps to bring water from the river during a dry season.

There are schemes to provide seedlings and teach compost-making. Better and more varied crops improve people’s health and the surplus can be sold to buy animals and pay school fees for the children. It is satisfying to see how much can be achieved to give people better lives.

Yes, charity should begin at home but it needs to extend to all the world. Jesus did not tell us to wait for Governments to act. Supporting Christian Aid is one way in which we can bring hope to many, living in circumstances that we will not have to experience. Ordinary people helping other ordinary people to lead better lives.

Jillian Hedges