Comments on: Negative Effects of Outside Cash

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:47:56 +0000

Todd H,

Believe it or not, I was in the dark about micro-credit loans until 3 years ago. A friend dropped down into Tijuana for the afternoon and filled me in on the idea. And it’s huge worldwide! And has been functioning for at least a couple of decades. Many of the organizations boast impressive results, largely with women. Men have faired much worse by comparison. I’ve seen TV specials documenting the process in India and South America. I’ve also read a few magazine articles about its success—as well as a few of the once “non-profits”, now turned big business.

Recently, the pastor I work for met with an entrepreneur interested in starting it up in Tijuana. Supposedly, it’s not done here (at least on a large scale). I’m super skeptical of its success on the border. But it will be fascinating to track.

By: Todd H

Todd H — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 03:49:52 +0000

I have heard some good things about micro business loans in mission situations that seem to do a good job providing accountability for the new entrepreneur as well as a source of income that can support families in impoverished areas. Have you run across this? I wish I had a link but I just remember people talking about it.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 23:12:59 +0000

Good question. I’m not sure what went wrong. The book took a different direction after the Philippines example.

The passages you listed are all insightful regarding the love of money. Did the locals in the village fall in love with money? I’m not sure. Maybe it’s that clear-cut. But I don’t think I have the answer for sure.

What happened is that something went wrong out of wholesome intentions. I agree with you that the missionary should have given the initial help. However, we can never know what someone’s going to do with that help or aid. Think of the parable of the Lost Son, or the Ten Healed of Leprosy. In both accounts, those who received did not initially react positively—especially with their lack of gratitude toward the giver.

Regarding this article, I don’t think I wrote a fair and balanced account of issue. A series of articles is in the lineup.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 22:44:30 +0000

For those using Internet Explorer, sorry about the margin error. It should now be fixed.

By: Norm Davis

Norm Davis — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 14:41:09 +0000

Interesting thoughts Ben.

At the left margin the first letter in each line is cut off. Can this be adjusted?

By: M

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 05:23:23 +0000

But what went wrong? Where was the balance out of whack? What could have prevented the problem?
Was it the fact that the missionary left the work prematurely, before the people were grounded in the Word?
Was it that the people yielded to temptation, fell into the trap of loving money, and sinned, which is so easy to do as scripture points out.
1 Tim. 6:6-19, Heb. 13:5, Matt. 6:19-21, Prov. 30:8-9
We are all responsible before God to obey Him.
Should the missionary have given the initial help? I think so.
M