By Nancy Bacon
Reverend
No partiality?
From the Pastor's Desk
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In the bible, Peter states that God "shows no partiality" to one group of people over another (Acts 10:34). God is not partial to Jews over Gentiles or Americans over Somalians. I wonder how God feels about nationalism and other favoritisms...
When I read Peter's statement, I think of a slogan used by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Melinda's explanation of it: " 'All lives have equal value' is not just a principle, it's a strategy...if you're not moving toward equality, you're not really changing the world. You're just rearranging it."
Each year, the Gates Foundation puts out an annual letter commenting on the status of global poverty and global health initiatives, the passions of their lives. If you haven't read their letter for 2017 and you are sick of digesting negative television news stories, and you could use some hopeful good news, I encourage you to first read their letter, then you can can go ahead and get upset about our national budget proposal suggesting cuts to foreign aid.
First, let us appreciate some good news that most people are unaware of. Global poverty has been decreasing while worldwide health has been improving. According to the Gates' Annual Letter for 2017, and United Nations statistics, the number of children under the age of five who have died since 1990 has been cut in half, down from 12 million to 6 million each year. While that is still a large, heartbreaking number, the Gates' hopeful goal is for that number to decrease to 3 million by the year 2030.
When children are at decreased risk of dying, their mothers reduce the number of pregnancies and children that they have. These related factors make it more likely for people to climb out of poverty, because parents are able to work, rather than care for sick children, women are more able to obtain education and increased income, their children are then more likely to be able to go to school and there is a decreased need for costly government services. Simple childhood immunizations; trained midwives with sterile equipment; access to contraceptives; and proper nutrition for children are some of the best investments any of us can possibly make, not just morally, but also in our own interests.
Bill Gates comments, "We hope this story will remind everyone why foreign aid should remain a priority, because by lifting up the poorest, we express the highest values of nations. One of the greatest of those values is the belief that the best investment any of us can ever make is in the lives of others...the returns are tremendous...For every dollar spent on childhood immunizations, you get $44 in economic benefits."
Where can you get returns like that?
While religious charities, private donors and wealthy philanthropists contribute to make a difference, the needs of the developing word are tremendous. These charitable donations are barely a drop in the bucket. Wealthy national governments provide the vast majority of the money needed to improve global health and fund development.
Tremendous strides decreasing poverty and eradicating diseases are at risk when donor nations cut funding. Diseases, just like God, show no partiality. They travel across borders and around the world without preference for host bodies that can contain them. Poverty, unlike God, does show partiality. "Poverty is sexist," states Bill Gates. Women have less power in poorer countries, while the economic situation places their children in a climate susceptible to extreme and violent world views.
Most of the money our government gives to other nations is not for health and developmental aid - less than 1%. Can we be religious people and allow such partiality? "...to whom much is given, much will be required. (Luke 12:36) We can advocate for better treatment for all God's children. Read the letter to stoke your optimism.
Blessings,Pastor Nancy
About Tehachapi Congregational Church:
No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here!
The Tehachapi Congregational Church is an open and welcoming community of faith that believes that each person, created in the image of God, holds a piece of the truth. Therefore we respect each person's unique spiritual journey. We invite you to experience the difference that religious freedom in a caring community can make in that journey.
We are located at 100 East E St., in Tehachapi. Worship and Sunday School are at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Please join us for coffee and fellowship at our Friendship Hall after worship (approximately 11:30 a.m.). All are welcome.
