Everyone serving in a nonprofit organization that serves the economically poor should read Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert’s book When Helping Hurts . Both authors are experts in helping the poor, and they provide readers information and advice for immediate application. With a solid biblical exegesis, their philosophical explanations on poverty partnered with principles to help the poor and strategic tips combine to make an excellent read.
Corbett and Fikkert argue that many well-intentioned people hurt the economically poor without knowing it. However, they demonstrate that there are effective ways to minister to the poor without hurting anyone, including the helper. The authors support their argument with experience and expertise in the area of assisting the poor, giving readers valuable ministry advice.
The book is conversationally written, providing in-depth principles to implement. Each page provides wisdom and therefore, should be carefully read and digested. I poured through every page eager to learn something new. The following are two specific areas, which really stirred my soul.
In Part One, the authors lay the foundational groundwork to understanding the key issues around this idea of hurting the poor. They examine Scripture and true biblical definitions of poverty to get at the core of how poverty is perpetuated. I expected to see more statistics and cultural or sociological reasons behind poverty but what I found was very different. Instead, I found that my definition of poverty was altogether wrong. I was convicted that some of my beliefs about the poor need to change – in knowledge, in finances, in relationships, and so on. Fikkert and Corbett call it a “god-complex” and they explain:
“The way we act toward the economically poor often communicates-albeit unintentionally- that we are superior and they are inferior. In the process we hurt the poor and ourselves. And here is the clincher: this dynamic is likely to be particularly strong whenever middle-to-upper class, North American Christians try to help the poor….” (Pg. 65).
As I read the book, I identified feelings of superiority within myself. I was previously unaware of the conflicts such feelings create when serving the poor. Having this new knowledge equips me to better prepare my heart and my mind before entering into any new charitable project.
Oasis International is intentional in its methods as it seeks to encourage a budding and growing church in Africa by providing affordable Christian resources. Oasis’ walks alongside the African Church to help them create a sustainable Christian book industry, confident that Africans have the intelligence, the finances, and leadership capabilities to maintain it.
In reading this book, I came to understand with greater completeness the purpose of Oasis International--to provide books and Bibles to underserved regions of the English-speaking world where poverty is pervasive. Their mission includes helping the Africans develop and own a sustainable business model that provides long-lasting spiritual resources through Christian literature and Bibles. Corbett and Fikkert talk about “Finding your Niche” means focusing on either relief, rehabilitation, or development. Oasis focuses on the toughest aspect of poverty-alleviation: development. I witnessed Oasis’ dedication to their mission and their commitment to development. Their professionalism and passion for helping their brothers and sisters in Christ is truly an inspiration. Through their groundbreaking development work in African communities, hope has been realized. As they continue to seek further development opportunities in Africa may the LORD bless them with their endeavors.
Nicole Powers was our communications and development intern this past fall. We encouraged her to read When Helping Hurts at the beginning of her time with us. She read the book and gave us permission to post her review on our blog.
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