Underline idea(s) that you find intriguing

The textbook definition of poverty is any

deficiency of elements or resources that are
needed or desired. Most people consider it a lack
of financial or material resources. This is an error
similar to defining an elephant as creature with
large ears. It only captures a component of all
that we need to know to fully understand what
an elephant is like.
Any complex topic must be examined in its
entirety before one can fully understand how it
may affect them or they may affect it. It is true
that those that help others are more fulfilled and
see good things happen. Showing kindness to the
poor is important but how we show kindness can
greatly impact the results of our kindness.
Relationships play a vital role in how poverty is
manifested in the world around us. In order to
help people in poverty we need to have a
framework which conceives of poverty as being
rooted in the effects of brokenness in four
foundational areas: relationships with our self,
others, creation, and the Creator.
When defined in this way, we are all poor. No
one experiences the fullness that is intended for
each of these relationships. For the economically
poor, these broken relationships often include
shame, a lack of identity, social isolation, and a
failing sense of vocation that contributes to a lack
of income. For the economically rich, these
broken relationships show themselves in pride,
selfishness, workaholic tendencies, materialism,
etc. that lead to all sorts of individual and social
ills. Unfortunately, when the economically rich
interact with the economically poor, they tend to
do so in such a way that increases the shame that
the economically poor feel, while also raising the
pride of the economically rich.
Poverty is the result of relationships that do not
work. These relationships are not just, they rob us
of life, and they are not harmonious or enjoyable.
Poverty is the absence of peace in all its
meanings. Central to poverty alleviation is
understanding our own mutual brokenness so
that we can truly help others without hurting
them and ourselves.
BENEFITS OF REDEFINING POVERTY
1. We will learn to see poverty as a problem that can be solved with the resources available to us
now.
2. We will realize that everyone is poor in some area and no longer feel inferior or superior to others.
3. We will be able to properly diagnose the root causes of why our communities may not be
functioning the way we know they could.
4. We will no longer wait for aid agencies to develop programs to meet the needs our communities.
5. We will realize that helping others out of superiority or guilt may lead to negative outcomes as we
might try to solve poverty without correctly identifying what brokenness lead to the problem.
POSSIBLE STEPS FOR REDEFINING POVERTY
Write down your own definition of poverty and compare it to ideas presented in this lesson.
Identify how the outcomes of your definition may differ from the outcomes of a relational
based poverty framework.

Evaluate your life in the four areas mentioned; relationship with yourself, relationships with
others (family/friends/community), relationships with creation (animals, environment),
relationship with the Creator of these three categories. Are there any areas that may be
broken but were never given much attention?
Poverty - Redefined
The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but
the rich have many friends. Those that despise their
neighbor are in error, but good things come to those
who are kind to the needy.