Reason for Poverty= Technology?
This hit me the other day as we were discussing it in class. If technology and its use is creating an even wider gap between the rich and the poor in this increasingly global society, what are we doing to combat that? I don’t have any answers and I think it is going to be a very tough question (especially for those trying to live like Christ) to answer in the next few years. I see churches and ministries becoming increasingly media savvy, but we cannot forget how many people we leave out of reach when we take technology to the next level. But we’re in the U.S. you might say. Yes, we are. So while more people have access to technology it still doesn’t mean all can afford private access. And if churches focus too much on primarily modern forms of communication we risk leaving some people out of the loop altogether. Furthermore, if so much resource is poured into these new forms of technology and having the latest greatest X, then what does that leave in the way of traditional forms of communication and outreach? I also hate thinking that outreach should be a “To Do” list that churches have to remember. But I just see more and more time being taken up with a community and an obsession with the newest thing and somehow innovation replaces heart.
I don’t begin to think this is an easy issue. I also know that the political and historical climates in many countries that are impoverished are limited not only by the lack of technology but by the very governments that control them. It’s just interesting to think that research has shown sociologists that the very technologies that causes countries like the U.S. and Japan to thrive are the reason that others are floundering. Just a reminder to always think outside the box, remember all the people Jesus died for on the cross, not just the ones in your line of vision, and live the life that Christ gave you in way that is free from slavery to anything.
Just my thoughts, sometimes they don’t even flow together too nicely, but I hope and pray Jesus was a part of them. I think He was. 
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One way for us to combat poverty is for Christians to stop thinking of tithes and offerings as dues or taxes we pay to the church we attend. Too often we expect our donations to go towards (often unnecessary) projects within our local church, forgetting that we are all one body with one head–that is Christ. If every Christian did his or her part and gave to the Church, we would have enough to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and educate the unlearned. It is unacceptable to have large mega-churches and poor neighborhood churches. We are one body. This is not a competition to see whose church can have the highest attendance or biggest building. Our job is to work together to make disciples of all nations.
Amen! I definitely appreciate that line of thinking. It’s hard to get there when there is such a focus on being the “best” though.
I wonder too, I don’t think as individuals or corporately we should be too caught up in the race for the next gadget. Environmentally and cost wise, I’m not sure this is good stewardship.
Though as someone who has enjoyed attending an online campus of a church in the last year I can also see the tremendous blessing technology can be and allows anyone in the world with a semi-decent internet connection to join in, even NZers.
I actually had a call from my mobile company trying to get me to upgrade last night and I turned it down, I started thinking about fancy new phones and why I prefer one over my piece of poo one I have (which is just over a year old). Then I thought about it again and realised that it works fine, I’m not working so I spend a hell of a lot of time at home right now anyway and I simply don’t need the fancy phone just yet. I’m not sure many other people my age think this way though! It’s hard to fight all the marketing and peer pressure from others who have the Iphones and stuff.
Hey, I got my Iphone for free!!! Lol. It’s an old one though. I definitely wouldn’t have paid for it. Good choice.
I wish we could get better deals… that’s the thing it’s too expensive here and to be on contract paying it off for two years….
i heard the other day on some sunday political talk show group that the art of “conversation…enaging two people indialogue” is going to become and ancient art form the way this country is going in terms of media/technology. and let me just say, from observing just the one child i know growing up in this modern world (yes, she is 13 and that age sucks but really…) i dont believe she could hold a conversation with anyone longer than 10 seconds. watching her talk to her grandmother (your GRANDMOTHER! come on!) on the phone is painful bc its like…crickets chirping. but give the child her brand new whatever modle phone…and let the TEXTING begin! i mean…i get and agree with the whole church thing. but this next generation… (and even some of us imbedded in our private worlds of computers and cellphones) it is going to be interesting to watch what happens CULTURALLY. what is family dinner going to be like? what about holidays? interaction between people on a personal level? you know, the kind where you HEAR another persons voice. its going to be a big silent sitting around gathering where you hear people chewing. eeeww! ( i hate that sound!) now…lets talk about cynical!