Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity 
asked by jdog on November 22, 2006 7:37 PM
Do you want to make a true difference in the world? Dr. Ron Sider does. He has, since before he first published Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger in 1978. Despite a dramatic reduction in world hunger since then, 34,000 children still die daily of starvation and preventable disease, and 1.3 billion people, worldwide, remain in abject poverty. So, the professor of theology went back to re-examine the issues by twenty-first century standards. Finding that Conservatives blame morally reprehensible individual choices, and Liberals blame constrictive social and economic policy, Dr. Sider finds himself agreeing with both sides. In this new look at an age-old problem, he offers not only a detailed explanation of the causes, but also a comprehensive series of practical solutions, in the hopes that Christians like him will choose to make a difference.
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unless you are willing to live in a completely un-American manner. If you are like most conservative evangelicals, such as myself, this book will rock the very foundations of your beliefs. This book references, in great detail, the Biblical premise of helping the poor. Consumerism, materialism and oppressive systems hinder us from our calling. Will we choose the ways of the world or will we choose eternal life? Which side of eternity will we be found in when Jesus returns as he states in Matthew 25:31-46? Being born again is a necessary, initial step to salvation. It allows and motivates us to begin the work of the Gospel. This book explains what that work is.
reviewed by csean85 on November 23, 2006 12:26 PM
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Giving Christianity
The book makes the case that true Christianity is giving. I found the book well written because it made the case that Christianity needs to actually be helpful.
Christianity should not be used as and excuse to feel superior to everyone, it is for giving as the book states.
By Christian Peper
The book makes the case that true Christianity is giving. I found the book well written because it made the case that Christianity needs to actually be helpful.
Christianity should not be used as and excuse to feel superior to everyone, it is for giving as the book states.
By Christian Peper
reviewed by ronmiller on November 28, 2006 11:12 AM
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Without being judgmental, without recommending socialism, without envoking guilt, Sider has created an excellent book in which he argues that modern day "Christians" are lacking one of the most essential qualities of being a Christian --- denying materialism and giving to the poor. "Christians" in America are out of control, too focused on maximizing material wealth and not at all concerned with God's children who are so poor. We should be ashamed; instead, our churches have led us to believe that this selfish behavior is justified, that God wants us to be excessively wealthy. Hogwash. BUY THIS BOOK AND CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE.
reviewed by faithfulone on November 28, 2006 2:46 PM
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Ouch
I am not an economist, but the Bible makes it obviously clear that Christians are to help the poor. This book had its biggest impact on me through the copious Scripture passages that deal with the poor. I have read the Bible through three times (plus some), yet I never picked up on the importance of taking care of the poor. While there are numerous economical controversies with this book, there can be no debate in this- God wants His people to look after and care for the poor. I believe the most important step in getting Christians to care for the poor is this- getting them to care. This book can effectively show people the importance of caring for the poor.
I found chapters 4 and 5 especially helpful in showing God's heart for the poor. A quote from page 89 which sums up the message of the chapter is this, "Christians in the United States spent $15.7 billion on new church construction alone in the six years between 1984 and 1989. Would we go on building lavishly furnished expensive church buildings if members of our own congregations were starving? Do we not flatly contradict Paul (in 1 Cor. 11) if we live as if African or Latin American Christians are not also part of Christ's one body along with those in our home congregation?" There is truly a problem in the world today- and the answer will only be found in Christians who walk with God according to His Word.
A very practical way to help the poor is to support a organization called Opportunity International. The end of this book describes the ministry of Opportunity International, and it is a ministry that doesn't just give money, but actually helps people in poverty learn how to stand on their own. They do this through micro loans. This organization provides an excellent way for Western Christians to be directly involved in caring for the poor. The book makes the argument that a dollar will go further in caring for the poor if that dollar helps develop a way of living for a family.
Western Christian's wealth is staggering. Wealth is not bad or wrong, but it is wrong that Western Christians get richer and richer every year while neglecting the poor. What is the root of this problem? Is it greed and neglect? I think this is the assumption that the author makes, but I believe the church AS A WHOLE is weak. If churches were spiritually healthy and mature, I believe caring for the poor would be an automatic result. By exhorting churches to be involved in caring for the poor- often we accomplish something similar to whitewashing coffins. True change needs to happen at a grass roots level in churches and Christians.
Is it just Western Christians that are neglecting the poor today? No. I live in the Philippines which doesn't have a very large percentage of Christians (Evangelical), but the population is probably 5 to 10 percent Christian. Even though these Christians live in the midst of poverty- it is my estimation that believers here are just as lackadaisical about caring for the poor as Western Christians are. This goes to show that the problem does not lie in wealth. Wealth is not evil. The problem lies in a lack of solid Bible teaching and a lack of compassion that comes from spiritual immaturity. Do you want to be a charitable Christian that models compassion and generosity? It won't start with your checkbook, but it will start in your relationship with God that can only develop through the Word of God.
I am not an economist, but the Bible makes it obviously clear that Christians are to help the poor. This book had its biggest impact on me through the copious Scripture passages that deal with the poor. I have read the Bible through three times (plus some), yet I never picked up on the importance of taking care of the poor. While there are numerous economical controversies with this book, there can be no debate in this- God wants His people to look after and care for the poor. I believe the most important step in getting Christians to care for the poor is this- getting them to care. This book can effectively show people the importance of caring for the poor.
I found chapters 4 and 5 especially helpful in showing God's heart for the poor. A quote from page 89 which sums up the message of the chapter is this, "Christians in the United States spent $15.7 billion on new church construction alone in the six years between 1984 and 1989. Would we go on building lavishly furnished expensive church buildings if members of our own congregations were starving? Do we not flatly contradict Paul (in 1 Cor. 11) if we live as if African or Latin American Christians are not also part of Christ's one body along with those in our home congregation?" There is truly a problem in the world today- and the answer will only be found in Christians who walk with God according to His Word.
A very practical way to help the poor is to support a organization called Opportunity International. The end of this book describes the ministry of Opportunity International, and it is a ministry that doesn't just give money, but actually helps people in poverty learn how to stand on their own. They do this through micro loans. This organization provides an excellent way for Western Christians to be directly involved in caring for the poor. The book makes the argument that a dollar will go further in caring for the poor if that dollar helps develop a way of living for a family.
Western Christian's wealth is staggering. Wealth is not bad or wrong, but it is wrong that Western Christians get richer and richer every year while neglecting the poor. What is the root of this problem? Is it greed and neglect? I think this is the assumption that the author makes, but I believe the church AS A WHOLE is weak. If churches were spiritually healthy and mature, I believe caring for the poor would be an automatic result. By exhorting churches to be involved in caring for the poor- often we accomplish something similar to whitewashing coffins. True change needs to happen at a grass roots level in churches and Christians.
Is it just Western Christians that are neglecting the poor today? No. I live in the Philippines which doesn't have a very large percentage of Christians (Evangelical), but the population is probably 5 to 10 percent Christian. Even though these Christians live in the midst of poverty- it is my estimation that believers here are just as lackadaisical about caring for the poor as Western Christians are. This goes to show that the problem does not lie in wealth. Wealth is not evil. The problem lies in a lack of solid Bible teaching and a lack of compassion that comes from spiritual immaturity. Do you want to be a charitable Christian that models compassion and generosity? It won't start with your checkbook, but it will start in your relationship with God that can only develop through the Word of God.
reviewed by mags on November 29, 2006 5:21 AM
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This book is the current discussion point of the small group of which I am apart of through my church in Indianapolis. We were guided to this book by a friend who is currently headed to Sierra Leone for missions work. As someone who has a firm grasp on global political issues, I was wary at first of reading something that I thought we just be an in-print version of a Sally Struthers commercial.
With the first two chapters, I started to fear that my suspicions were correct. The bland facts, while startling to someone who may have a vary narrow world view, are just not that shocking in the day and age of constant streaming images from around the globe that we have today. But once past those bland chapters, the book took a sharp turn and started discussing the actual spirtual responsiblities that God has layed upon us and expects from us. This was what I needed to hear, and I can truly say that this book has really made me rethink my entire idea of giving and the need to work with the poor.
This is an excellent book to read, whether on your own or with a small group. Also recommended for any and all who constantly call for the trimming and cutting of social programs and foreign aid. We all need to rethink where are priorities lie at times. This book will help you along that path.
With the first two chapters, I started to fear that my suspicions were correct. The bland facts, while startling to someone who may have a vary narrow world view, are just not that shocking in the day and age of constant streaming images from around the globe that we have today. But once past those bland chapters, the book took a sharp turn and started discussing the actual spirtual responsiblities that God has layed upon us and expects from us. This was what I needed to hear, and I can truly say that this book has really made me rethink my entire idea of giving and the need to work with the poor.
This is an excellent book to read, whether on your own or with a small group. Also recommended for any and all who constantly call for the trimming and cutting of social programs and foreign aid. We all need to rethink where are priorities lie at times. This book will help you along that path.
reviewed by megafan on November 29, 2006 6:52 AM