Back in 2011, my very first book, Awaiting a Savior: The Gospel, the New Creation, and the End of Poverty, was released. It was an ambitious one: exploring how we should understand and respond to the issue of where poverty really comes from, and what God has to say about it.
Rooted in the story of redemption, Awaiting a Savior is a reminder that we’re not responsible for ending poverty, but for loving those who are trapped in it. With a message you don’t typically read in most books on the subject, it’s proven to be one of the great joys of my life, as readers experience the freedom to care for the poor that comes from it. And now, it is available in Spanish as A La Espera De Un Salvador. Here’s a little taste of the English edition:
The Law drew a distinction between God’s people and the surrounding nations, even in matters of economic compassion. God’s expectations for interactions between Israelites are entirely different. This does not mean, however, that those outside the covenant community could be conveniently ignored—only that concern and care for those within the covenant community takes precedence. (It is the same way today within the Church.) Indeed, the Law included a radical concern for the “sojourner,” the foreigner among them, (Ex. 22:21, 23:9; Lev. 19:10, 23:22) a concern that stems directly from the heart of God: “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial . . . and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were in the land of Egypt.” (Deut. 10:17-19)
God loves the “sojourner,” and God’s people are to love him as well. That’s why, although we must be wise in how we help those in need, (cf. Prov. 6:10-11, 21:25, 24:30-34; 1 Tim. 5:8) we must avoid notions of anyone being “deserving” of our help. None of us deserve the grace of God, yet he freely gives it! (44-45)
If you haven’t read the book, I’d love it if you picked up a copy. And if you know someone who would be blessed by reading the Spanish edition, grab them a copy of that, too.
