The following is an extract from an article by Wong Young Soon, executive director of Malaysian Care, in the 3rd quarter 2011 issue of Care Contact. (www.malaysiancare.org):
There is an old but familiar saying that goes, ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for one meal, but if you teach him how to fish you will feed him for life’. Well, in more recent times, the story goes on to add, “What happens if someone up river is poisoning the water (e.g. toxic waste dumping, indiscriminate logging) and killing all the fish?” It goes to show, ancient wisdom can be updated for modern realities!
And indeed what a glaring reality it is. Globally, over 2 billion people live in poverty (less than USD2.00 per day). A billion people have inadequate access to clean water and about 925 million suffer from hunger. The scale of such poverty and deprivation tells us that the problem is not only at the level of an individual, household or community but that there are structural and spiritual causes at the national and international levels. Giving a fish or even teaching to fish is no longer adequate. The cause of the fishes’ death needs to be addressed.
Advocacy then is to plead the cause of another, to side with, vindicate and publicly recommend to change societal structures that cause injustice, oppression and poverty. The Bible all along has frequently called God’s people to do just that:
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked
Psalm 82: 3-5
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31: 8-9
Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1: 17
Biblical advocacy finds its basis in God. In creating all things, He pronounced them good but as sin entered into creation through man’s folly, what was good became marred, the consequences of which we can plainly see in our spiritual, social and environmental condition. God’s redemptive act through Jesus was the crucial turning point against this downward spiral and now all creation rejoices as the process of transformation takes root. Be it through proclamation, in acts of mercy, via empowerment or by advocating, what we long for is God’s Kingdom to be established in every sphere of life.
Indeed, even as we see national and global socio-economic and political trends develop, Christians in Malaysia will be called by the Spirit to pray, reach out and confront structures, practices and policies that oppress and marginalize the poor and needy.
He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me? declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 22: 16
For further information about bringing justice and overcoming global poverty, together with a prayer diary, kindly contact www.tearfund.org
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
