In the News
Just before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, with the epicenter just 10 miles from Port-au-Prince, the island nation's capital city. In that city of 2 million people, the damage has been massive and widespread, and early estimates are that tens of thousands have lost their homes and many have perished. It was the worst quake in the area in two centuries.
Electricity and phone lines failed almost immediately, and the island air-traffic control center collapsed, so getting accurate reports was difficult, but people on the ground described the damage as "staggering" and "catastrophic." The Red Cross says 3 million people have been affected. One worker for Food for the Poor charity said, "Hundreds of casualties would be a a serious understatement."
The presidential palace, the U.N. headquarters, a hospital, public buildings, churches, schools, hotels, private homes and many other structures collapsed with people inside, and rescuers working with only their bare hands and only by the light of flashlights after dark were trying to dig people out, but it is feared many victims are beyond rescue.
Aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude followed, and a tsunami watch was issued for Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and the Bahamas, but that was later lifted.
Haiti, with a population of 10 million, is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, with most people living on less than $2 per day. In normal times, the government can barely take care of its people; under natural disaster, it is even less able. Because of the poverty, many of the buildings in Haiti were not built to withstand earthquakes, and many people live in flimsy shanties clinging to hillsides. The nation's infrastructure before the quake was barely adequate; now it is almost nonexistent. Thus, while a 7.0 earthquake would be a disaster in any part of the world, in Haiti it is a catastrophe of gigantic proportions.
Haiti experienced four major hurricanes in 2008 that killed almost 800 people and had not yet recovered from those, making the quake even worse news. In addition, the country has experienced decades of civil and political instability, all of which have impeded economic progress in the land.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, Canada, Australia, France, China and number of Latin American nations as well non-governmental organizations and church agencies are mobilizing aid responses, but the need is likely to go well beyond immediate emergency help.
This is a developing story, so check world news sources for updates.
More on this story may be found at these links:
The Big Questions
1. Is there more than one biblical view of the poor? If so, what are they? If not, what is the single biblical view of the poor?
2. Is it possible to be a faithful Christian without making some sincere effort to help the poor? Explain your answer.
3. Catastrophes have a way of changing our perspective about what things are important and what things are not. How does this catastrophe in Haiti affect your view of what is important in life?
4. As citizens of the wealthiest nation in the world, do we have more of an obligation than others to help the suffering in Haiti? Why or why not?
5. If Jesus were physically present in Haiti right now, what do you think he would be doing?
Confronting the News with Scripture
Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:
Deuteronomy 15:11
"Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, 'Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.'" (For context, read 15:1-18.)
This verse comes from a passage establishing a practice in ancient Israel called the "Sabbatical Year." It specified that in every seventh year, fields were to be uncultivated, debtors were to be released from their debts and indentured servants freed from their obligation. Part of the aim was to keep people from being forever poor. Yet because at any given time, there would always be some who were needy, God directed that people who were not poor should open their hand to the needy and share with them.
Thus, care for the poor is a principle that was part of the law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Question: Why do you think God included this provision in the laws about holy living?
Matthew 25:40
"And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'" (For context, read 25:31-46.)
In Matthew 25, Jesus spoke about the standard to be used in the final judgment -- whether or not people have given food, drink, clothing and welcome to those in need, the "least of these" -- and thereby actually served him. Notably, Jesus said that even though the poor might be considered the least, they are "members of my family."
Questions: Do you think this verse represents the primary standard by which we will be judged? Why or why not?
Luke 4:18-19
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (For context, read 4:16-22.)
At the start of his public ministry, Jesus went to the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth and publicly read these words from Isaiah 61:1-2. He then said to the congregation, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." In other words, these lines from Isaiah described what Jesus' ministry was to be about. Significantly, while his gospel message was for all, it would have special impact for the poor and the oppressed. Indeed, one of the principal hallmarks of the kingdom Jesus was announcing was redemption of the poor and their release from degradation.
The Gospels show Jesus fulfilling this mission. He repeatedly reached out to those at the bottom of the social pyramid -- poor people, women, Samaritans, lepers, children, prostitutes and tax collectors.
Question: Why didn't Jesus aim his ministry primarily at the rich and powerful and count on them to trickle it down the social ladder?
Luke 6:20
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." (For context, read 6:17-26.)
This comes from the Beatitudes as recorded in Luke. In Matthew, this beatitude says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3, italics added), which seems to spiritualize the statement and expand its reach, since we all would probably describe ourselves sometimes as "poor in spirit." Luke's version of this saying is more pointed: Jesus is talking about the poor in things. It is the poor who are blessed, in the upside-down kingdom that Jesus was unveiling. The coming of God's kingdom will be marked by a reversal of fortunes. The poor will receive the kingdom, the hungry will be filled and mourners will laugh (v. 21).
Questions: If you are sometimes "poor in spirit," but are not truly "poor," does Luke's version of this beatitude make you a bit uncomfortable? How does it feel to hear this blessing pronounced on a group to which you do not belong?
1 John 3:17
"How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?" (For context, read 3:11-24.)
This is worded as a rhetorical question. John intends for it to elicit a response in his readers along the lines of, "We are not embodying God's love if we have enough but are not helping our brothers and sisters in need."
Question: What makes the people of Haiti our brothers and sisters?
Questions for Further Discussion
1. Not all the poor are "deserving." Why didn't Jesus make that distinction when he talked about the kingdom belonging to the poor?
2. While earthquakes and other natural disasters show no partiality, people who are better off financially often fare better than poorer neighbors because they can afford better-built homes, may live in less crowded areas and may even have insurance to help them recover. What challenge do you hear in this reality that could apply to ministry to the poor?
3. Rescue, medical care, safe drinking water, food and shelter are all immediate needs for the victims of the earthquake. In what concrete way does the message of God as Redeemer and Deliverer also apply?
4. Aside from natural disasters, much of the poverty of Haiti has been caused by the long-term political instability of the nation. How ought that fact figure into our aid efforts, if at all?
5. Often we comfortable North Americans find ourselves in the position of do-gooders, offering money or time to help people (like the people in Haiti) who are in need, but rarely entering into relationship with those persons. What do the people of Haiti, or other needy people, have or know that we do not? How can we come to know "the poor" by name and recognize what they have to offer back to us?
Responding to the News
Most Christian denominations have an arm or agency that funnels aids to places of great need, and those will be in need of financial support to carry out their ministry of compassion in Haiti. Check with your denomination for ways that you can help.
O God, enlarge our understanding of the poor, and show us plainly where we can show your love to our Haitian sisters and brothers. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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