Sixbert Sangwa

The Christian Response and Behavior in the Context of Poverty Sixbert Sangwa

In today's Christianity, most evangelical centers are inundated with people who don't necessarily come to receive Christian instruction and enlightenment, but rather become available to seek a solution to their socio-economic problems. Many young and middle-aged graduates, who quickly locate their place in the Church, claim that they are called by God sooner than later after some failed efforts to secure jobs. Other people resort to pursuing theological education and to establishing Church ministry as instruments for economic profit. The question of Christians who, after significant financial and behavioral conflicts, left their churches to establish new churches has also been important. These contemporary Church practices are symptomatic of the commercialization and the commodification of religion (Francis, 2018), making the Church worldlier, compromising its "saltiness". While economic disparities will never end (Matt 26:11; Deut 15:11), contributions of the church in poverty alleviation should be debated. This work draws also conclusion as to whether Christian ministry and theological education should be pursued in the hope of economic survival.