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Microfinance and the Church

Microfinance and the Church. May 6, 2012 Trinity Church of the Nazarene. Deuteronomy 24:19-22

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Microfinance and the Church

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  1. Microfinance and the Church May 6, 2012 Trinity Church of the Nazarene

  2. Deuteronomy 24:19-22 “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.”

  3. God’s invitation to his people… • Gleaning and it’s impact on the community • Empowerment • Concern for the poor • Charitable giving • Loving your neighbor • Transformation

  4. “Tzedakah” – Hebrew teachings on charity, 8 levels Doing the right thing by demonstrating “tzedek” (justice, fairness) all your life… • Giving begrudgingly • Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully. • Giving after being asked • Giving before being asked • Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity • Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity • Giving when neither party knows the other's identity • Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant

  5. Traditional Charity What might this look like in a “first world” country?

  6. Another Response: Breaking the Cycle • “People universally would rather engage in legitimate exchange than be the object of another’s pity.” • - Robert Lupton Repay loans through profits & save or re-invest Provide food, healthcare, and school fees Start or expand business —increase inventory & assets X

  7. Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrKQZeoAzyI&feature=relmfu

  8. Microfinance- an overview • Small loans for working capital • Group guaranteed loan (5-40 individuals) • No collateral required • First loan – averaging $100 • Repeat Loans. Stepped Lending. • Short loan cycles (4-12 months) • Savings accounts

  9. Three Microfinance Strategies

  10. Poverty Defined 1. Poverty is an empty heart.2. Not knowing your abilities and strengths.3. Not being able to make progress.4. Isolation.5. No hope or belief in yourself. Knowing you can’t take care of your family.6. Broken relationships.7. Not knowing God.8. Not having basic things to eat. Not having money.9. Poverty is a consequence of not sharing.10. Lack of good thoughts.

  11. Poverty= Broken Relationships • God • Self • Community • Creation

  12. Transformational Development • Solutions to poverty mustaddress spirituality • Heart change and circumstantial change are both important • We are called to care for the poor AND to share the Gospel (Great Commission AND Great Commandment)

  13. Let’s revisit the verse we started with… Deuteronomy 24:19-22 “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.”

  14. What does this mean for the church? We are called to… • Empower others • Care for the poor • Give generously • Loving our neighbor • Seek transformation

  15. Modern Day Gleaning “Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours; yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on the world, and yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good...” –Saint Teresa

  16. Questions?

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