Serving beyond Your Ability

Posted on by Cedar Fund

[“SHARE” APR – JUN 2020 ] BACK TO THE BIBLE

Written by: Raymond Kwong (Chief Executive)

 

Over the past nearly 30 years, CEDAR has participated in over 100 relief campaigns and the most touching thing for us is seeing the disaster-stricken victims help each other. They do not worry about what will happen to them next, instead, they make every endeavour to help those around them. Even though they barely have enough for themselves, they still try to help others, which is not an easy thing to do. This spirit of selflessness is a grace from God.

 

In the Bible, the Macedonian churches are an exemplar of selflessness. In 2 Corinthians 8, the apostle Paul described how the Macedonian churches served the poor Christian believers in Jerusalem. Back then, there was a great famine in the land of Palestine. With that and the long-standing religious persecution, the Christians in Judah were living in extreme poverty. Therefore, when Paul was preaching, he encouraged churches in other places to lend a helping hand to the churches in Jerusalem. The Macedonian churches were among those who responded to Paul’s appeal.

 

After Macedonia was defeated by Rome, the region became very poor and the local churches were in extreme poverty, and were facing a “very severe trial” of religious persecution (v. 2). Even when they were unable to fend for themselves, the churches in Macedonia still made donations to the churches in Jerusalem. They even urgently pleaded with Paul for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people (v. 4). Therefore, Paul testified that they gave as much as they were able, and ‘“even beyond their ability”’ (v. 3), which is the kind of attitude of serving that is pleasing to the Lord.

 

Over the past few months, COVID-19 has made people in Hong Kong feel helpless, worried and even frightened. While we rely on God to face challenges during this long and arduous period, we can also learn to practise the spirit of serving “beyond our ability”. Sharing your stock of masks with others is one example. Apart from the needy in Hong Kong, people in other countries also need our care and services, especially our neighbours in mainland China – one of the places most severely affected by the coronavirus. We cordially invite you to pray for them, and find ways to show them your care. If everyone serves “beyond their ability”, we will still be able to experience the joy and grace from God during this difficult time.

 

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Join in Global Efforts to End Poverty

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for global efforts to end poverty]

POVERTY-CHILDREN IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

The theme of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty for 17 October 2013 is ‘working together towards a world without discrimination: Building on the experience and knowledge of people in extreme poverty’ The progress in reducing poverty world-wide has been uneven. Although some regions experience poverty reductions, in many countries poverty has been on the rise, especially among women and children. After the first UN Decade for Poverty Eradication (1997-2006), the second UN Decade (2008-2017) sets ‘Full employment and decent work for all’ as the theme for the Decade. Its particular focus is given to employment and decent work, including youth employment, the working poor, social protection in particular to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in the light of the current global crises, support for sustainable enterprises, gender equality, standards and rights at work, and social dialogue. [UN News]

CEDAR is calling churches and Christians to join EXPOSED during the week of 14 to 20 October, making appeals to the church, business and governments to operate with integrity and advocate an end to corruption which is a huge barrier to ending extreme world poverty. Please click here  for more details.

Pray for global efforts to end poverty:

  • Remember the needs and situations of the poor especially those vulnerable and disadvantaged groups including women and children ;
  • Pray for good progress made in implementing internationally agreed development goals ;
  • Pray also for churches and Christians worldwide to care for the poor together.

Two Years on, South Sudan Still Faces Major Challenges

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for South Sudan]

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South Sudan marks two years of independence on 9 July 2013, but the millions who continue to face displacement, hunger, disease and extreme poverty will be hard pressed to find any reason to celebrate.

Over the past two years, inter-communal violence and conflict between the rebels and Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) have caused nearly 350,000 people displaced. Fighting in southern part of Sudan has forced over 220,000 people fleeing into South Sudan. In addition, nearly two million South Sudanese have returned home since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, and so the country is facing serious food shortage. Further, South Sudan is in dire need of trained health workers and health centres and the government has faced criticism over its poor human rights record, such as poor prison conditions, widespread child and forced marriage, arbitrary detention and deteriorating press freedom. [IRIN]

Pray for South Sudan:

  • Pray for peace and reconciliation in South Sudan;
  • Pray for timely food and medical relief, and for comprehensive and appropriate rehabilitation.

Disaster Risk Reduction Central to Post-2015 Development Process

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the poor and marginalised people]

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A UN report outlining a new framework to build on the anti-poverty targets known as the MDGs was written to drive five major transformational shifts, including a transition from ‘reducing’ to ‘ending’ extreme poverty, leaving no one behind; putting sustainable development at the core of the development agenda; and forging a new global partnership based on cooperation, equity and human rights. The new framework focuses on assisting the poorest and most marginalised, a disproportionate number of whom are women, and puts reducing disaster risk centre stage in the Post-2015 Development Agenda debate. The report said no one is more vulnerable than people in poverty to face challenges by desertification, deforestation and overfishing and these are less able to cope with floods, storms, and droughts. Natural disasters can pull them into a cycle of debt and illness, to further degradation of the land, and a fall deeper into poverty. [UN News]

Pray for the poor and marginalised people :

  • Pray for global partnership for achieving anti-poverty targets after 2015;
  • Pray that people in poverty can be empowered to adapt and cope with natural disasters.

Environmental Threats Could Push Billions into Extreme Poverty

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the intensifying environment threats]

International Environment Day

A UN report said more than 40 countries have done better than previously expected on the UN’s human development index (HDI), which combines measures of health, wealth and education, with gains accelerating over the past decade. Yet the report warned that the number of people living in extreme poverty could increase by up to 3 billion by 2050 unless urgent action is taken to tackle environmental challenges. It said climate change is already exacerbating chronic environmental threats, and ecosystem losses are constraining livelihood opportunities, especially for poor people. Inaction on climate change, deforestation, and air and water pollution could end gains in the world’s poorest countries and communities. [Guardian]

Pray for the intensifying environment threats:

  • Pray for prompt actions taken by all nations to tackle environmental challenges;
  • Pray also for those especially the poor who are affected and suffer from environmental threats.