NorthHaven Church - Evangelicals Calling for Haiti Debt Relief

Evangelicals Calling for Haiti Debt Relief

Written by Mitch Randall

Monday, 25 January 2010

Last week, several evangelicals asked leaders from around the world to consider forgiving the debt of Haiti after a massive earthquake struck the region. Led by a newly formed organization, New Evangelical Partnership for Common Good, signees petitioned government leaders around the world to consider relinquishing any debt accrued by Haiti’s government in hopes that this might alleviate any more burdens upon an already suffering country. Rich Cizik and David Gushee are leaders within this movement working to make certain Christians stand up for those unable to stand for themselves.

In my opinion, Cizik and Gushee should be commended in promoting such a well thought out proposal. Recently, the World Bank forgave $1.2 billion of Haiti’s $1.9 billion debt. And according to the Associated Baptist Press , the New Evangelical Partnership is asking that the remainder be forgiven as well. From a biblical perspective, I cannot think of any reason why Jesus or any of the New Testament authors would not agree with this action. Filled with compassion for the very least of these, Jesus championed the plight of the poor and forgotten. He took the words of the prophet Amos to heart, “You trample on the poor and force him to give you grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine” (5:11).

More than any other people group Jesus embraced, he loved the poor and ostracized. He healed the sick, fed the poor, and gave sight to the sightless. In other words, Jesus demonstrated with his actions what each of us should truly be about in this world…reaching out with love to those the world has forgotten. God’s justice will be paid, as Amos strongly suggests, if the people of God do not do the right thing. Join with me and others in supporting this effort to truly help the very least of these within this world.

Comments (2) add comment

Debt
written by Andrew , February 05, 2010

I agree about forgiveness. But Jesus also talked about the parable of the talents given to different people (stewardship). Haiti has been given billions over the years and most if not all has vanished in the hands of the corrupt government...the numbers are quite astonishing almost 97% of aid given to Haiti in the last 50 years has not been accounted for....

Here's An Interesting Article . . .
written by Don A. Schooler , January 26, 2010

Mitch:

Here's an interesting article from The Nation regarding this very issue.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/notion/519364/imf_clarifies_terms_of_haiti_s_loan

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Last Updated ( Monday, 25 January 2010 )

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