Blurb

I laboured for more than three decades on poverty and sustainability in Asia and Africa as a scientist and development aid practitioner, with questionable success. Over time it became clearer that I was seeing and approaching poverty and sustainability in a limited, distorted way. This ongoing writing is a testimony to that.

We must never stop loving our neighbour and caring for nature, never tire of doing what is good and right for a better world, never cease helping those in need and distress. And we all know deep inside our soul what this means.

At the same time we must also humbly and boldly acknowledge that human self-effort, pride, plans, good intentions, and good projects will never end poverty in all its forms, or save and sustain the world and humanity, no matter how ‘hard and smart’ we try.

We were made by God for eternal life with Him in Paradise, but were tempted in to following the devil’s selfish lie and lead instead. We turned from God’s love, believing that we could be God in our own lives, that we could be(come) self-sufficient, self-sustaining. Instead, we became morally corrupt mere mortals, estranged from God. Sin became our innate poverty and unsustainability. We cannot overcome this inner depravity by ourselves. We need to be saved from our sinful selves. We need the ultimate sustainability: salvation.

We depend on God, but instead of turning towards Him, we have become experts at turning good things into idols (false gods) which we believe can save and sustain us. There are, however, no money, science, technology, artificial intelligence, or other man-made ways to end poverty and sustain the human ecosystem.

We need to seek God, repent of our sinfulness, our brokenness, and place our trust and hope in Him. God saves and sustains. He is life and His Spirit works with and in us to give us both the will (desire) and the ability (action) to do what pleases Him. God’s loving grace is more than enough. Start (and end) there. Love God and neighbour. Act in faith and gratitude. That is poverty alleviating. That is sustainable. Therein rests true, eternal hope and life.

For with God
nothing shall be impossible.
(Luke 1:37)

I am the vine; you are the branches.
If you remain in me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit;
apart from me you can do nothing.
(John 15:5)