Theological examination of poverty relief models in the African context

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the biblical models for relieving poverty, and to examine how the Church in Africa can apply the principles behind these models. The study covers both the OT and NT data. The biblical evidence has yielded the conclusion that poverty came as a result of the fall and that it is contrary to God's desire for humanity. We observed that since all human beings bear the imago Dei, He is Concerned for both the poor and the rich, for it is His avowed intention that all men should live happily and enjoy the fruits of the earth. It is for this reason that He is specially predisposed in favour of the oppressed poor. This is why He has called His people to take up their defense. This call for a special concern for the poor is evident in the poverty relief models set forth in the biblical tradition. We further observed that the relief institutions were to be operational within the context of a community. The care of the poor is therefore a communal responsibility. A special interest of the study is to investigate the relationship between poverty and oppression. The evidence from the biblical data and the African context have led us to reach the conclusion that the materials presented in this study corroborates the thesis that, though there are intervening variables which are operative in the maintenance of poverty, oppression is the dominant cause.