When Helping Hurts

I am in the middle of the book When Helping Hurts, by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. I am liking it a lot. I think they are right on in pointing out many of the areas where givers are misguided in their giving. They point out that poverty can come in several areas, not just material poverty. Often the person in the position to give has a poverty of their own, that needs to be recognized. Providing material goods is not always what is best, or even what is needed.

They exhort us to think about giving in a relational manner. Get to know the people that you are giving to. By doing this you can give in a way that builds the person up and addresses their true need. This seems obvious on so many levels. It is easier to buy gifts for people you actually know well and spend time with. You know what they like and what they need. Sometimes we try to give people what we want, but that is not what they want.

This book also points out that there are different perspectives on what is needed. Those that are in a position to give need to listen. What are the people that need help asking for? We heard this over and over again when we visited with people in Ethiopia. Abraham Verghese made a similar observation in his book Cutting for Stone. It was also a theme in the book same kind of different as me. Why is that so hard for us to get?

I think this book is very helpful for anyone who is interested in helping to alleviate poverty. It helps you to look at your own good intentions and see them for what they are. It helps to recognize your own poverty before you rush off to take care of someone else's. It is written from a Christian worldview, and has a kingdom building vision. I think it is well worth your time.