We all struggle to separate truths from untruths, especially these days. Miscommunication and misinformation seem to be everywhere, about everything. The one source of undeniable truth we have to rely on is the Bible.
Children living in poverty are surrounded by untruths too — lies told to them by their circumstances of poverty. These lies can be particularly dangerous, having a deep and profound impact on a child’s identify and self-worth. Children in poverty hear and experience lies like …
I live in a garbage dump, so I am trash.
I can’t go to school, so I am not smart.
I’m always sick, so I am not worth the cost of medicine.
Imagine the damage this can do to a child.
That’s why it’s so important that sponsored children know and hold tight to life-giving truths from Scripture. So when you write to your sponsored child, look for ways to incorporate biblical truths into your letters. Help your sponsored child recognize and denounce the lies told to them by their lives in poverty.
Here are five biblical truths to share with your sponsored child to get you started …
Poverty’s Lie: I don’t matter.
Biblical truth: “Children are a gift of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3)
Children are a life-giving window to innocence, curiosity and faith. They are precious and should be protected. Perhaps one of the most significant verses about children is when Jesus said in Matthew 18:5, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Help your sponsored child understand the weight of these words.
Poverty’s Lie: I’m worthless.
Biblical truth: “The kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14)
It’s clear from Scripture that children have great value in God’s eyes. Some of Jesus’ harshest words of judgment are directed at those who cause children to stumble (Matthew 18:6). They are not even to be looked down on (Matthew 18:10). Help your sponsored child know that their Father in heaven is not willing for them to be lost (Matthew 18:14).
Poverty’s Lie: No one cares about me.
Biblical truth: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14)
We know from Psalm 139 that the Lord knows everything about us, even before we know it ourselves — and he still loves us unconditionally. Help your child see that they have been loved from the very beginning, because they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Share with them that God created their inmost being and knit them together in their mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).
Poverty’s Lie: Something is wrong with me.
Biblical truth: “God created man in his own image” (Genesis 1:27)
Realizing that we are made in God’s image changes the way we face our obstacles. Accepting God’s love is one of the first steps to overcoming poverty. Help your sponsored child understand that he or she has been designed exactly the way God wants them to be — and that they are nothing less than the crown of his creation.
Poverty’s Lie: I have no future.
Biblical truth: “For I know the plans I have for you” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Poverty denies children hope. When they are downcast and discouraged again and again by their circumstances, they start to believe things will never get better. Help your sponsored child believe that God has plans for them to prosper and not to harm them, that he has a future for them (Jeremiah 29:11). Help your sponsored child dare to hope again.
The impact of your letters to your sponsored child may never be fully measured or realized. But over and over, graduates from our sponsorship program point to their sponsors’ letters and prayers as two of the most important sources of hope in their lives.
Fill your letters to your sponsored child with truths from God’s Word, and give them a solid foundation on which they can stand strong against the lies of poverty.
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