Author: Richard Stearns; President World Vision, USA
This is a book that can change your life. If you believe the premise of the book you can be a part of changing the world. Richard Stearns gives us “the answer that changed his life and might just change the world.” As president of World Vision International, Richard has encountered many of the poor and suffering around the world. Maybe you don’t spend much time thinking about the oppressed and needy or the hungry, forgotten people who have no hope in this life. They also have no voice and Mr. Stearns eloquently becomes their voice (Proverbs 31:8-9). He speaks for the hungry, the widowed, the fatherless, the oppressed people of the world, and he speaks for Jesus who also called us to be a people who would reach out to the lost people of the world with a gospel that touches them where they hurt. He asks the question, “What does God expect of us? Are we just to be busy going to church, studying the Bible and avoiding the most serious sins? Or does God expect more? Have we embraced the whole gospel or a gospel with a hole in it?” Richard Stearns has set aside worldly success for something far more significant. That is the call of Jesus to walk with the poorest of the poor and the neediest of the needy. He calls us to do the same, and I for one feel the pull of that call on my own Christian life.
As much as I liked the book, I have to admit that there is some controversy in the Church regarding this work. Some commentators have expressed concern that Richard has drifted over to a saved by works mentality. One even expressed the feeling that this is not a ‘good news’ message, but actually is bad news because of the strong emphasis on good works. Stearns does allude to the idea that if we do not help the poor we are not true followers of Jesus, and that the gospel is incomplete if we do not help the poor and needy. Another expressed the feeling that this kind of message leads to fear and bondage, not freedom in Christ. Is Richard Stearns saying that if we do not help the poor then we are not truly saved? Is this a hole in our gospel or a different gospel? These are serious charges.
If you read the book with this in mind, you can still find the motivation to become much more mindful of the poor, suffering and needy people around the world. I do feel that the majority of the church today neglects the call of God to help those who are oppressed and depressed by their situations. Jesus encourages us to be mindful of the poor and sick (Luke 14:13-14). The Old Testament is filled with scriptures that call us to be compassionate towards the oppressed, fatherless and widowed (Isaiah 1:17). I am grateful to Mr. Stearns for reminding us of this, and not allowing us to remain selfish and self-centered. As I reflect on this book and some of the controversy I am reminded of this verse, “For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-9. I would encourage you to read this book and become much more motivated to reach out to the poor and suffering people in our world, not to become saved, but because you are saved. Always aware that salvation can never be earned, but it can be appreciated.
The answer that changed my life and just might change the world.
