Property rights. Rule of law. Just court systems. Though these things may not lend themselves to a celebrity campaign or publicity opportunity as well as clothing giveaways or massive food drops, these are the essential elements necessary to produce a flourishing society. Without them, the poor will remain trapped in poverty. With them, men and […]
What is material poverty? Is it caused by too many mouths to feed, or too many bodies to clothe? Are scarce resources unable to keep pace with the world's growing population? The causes of material poverty are myriad and complex, but one thing is for sure: humans are the solution to the woes of poverty, […]
Both here and abroad, America has been dubbed one of the most generous countries on earth. From our clothing drives, food donations, and aid money, we have taken upon ourselves the task to bring prosperity to the least of these. But can we bring prosperity to those trapped in poverty? Or, rather, do we need […]
We are living in the Information Age, and we can see the effects all around us. Everywhere we go, we are inundated by corporations, companies, non-profits, churches, charities and more all vying for our attention, using everything from the billboards on our commute to work to the ads on the radio to the phone you […]
There's no doubt about it: human beings are complex. From our intricate bodily systems, to our nuanced emotions, to our precise likes and dislikes and unique personality traits, humans are a profound display of detailed complexity. But why does that matter? How can we harness the varying personalities, capacities, and talents of people to foster […]
Meaningful relationships that lead to life change are key on the path out of poverty. That sounds great in theory, but what do authentic relationships look like in the day-to-day? How can we transition from surface level chat to deep conversations about the things that matter? What tools and practical measures can be implemented to […]
There's no question that the ultimate hope of charitable work is to see poverty not just temporarily alleviated, but permanently resolved. But what's the best strategy to get there? How can we ensure that our charity work is truly helping people break the cycle of poverty for good? A good starting point is understanding what […]
All the best programs, principles, and theories cannot replace the last fundamental piece to effective charity: Faith. Research has shown that faith in God makes a substantial difference in a person’s rebound from poverty. We’ll consider the importance of faith in poverty relief work using recent studies and personal testimonies from those who have successfully […]
How can I know if my charity is actually helping the poor-- or hurting them? Why is it essential to see a client as not just a "charity case" but rather someone with unique ability and capacity with something to give? How can I ensure that my charity work is truly empowering to the poor, […]
Perhaps the ultimate aim of charitable work is to see the poor empowered and flourishing. While these goals are certainly noble and worthwhile, they are impossible without Freedom-- the 6th Mark of Effective Charity. The poor are often trapped in a cycle of bondage, whether that be financial, psychological, or otherwise. Their freedom to choose […]
