Home昔日真理報2020年 真理報文章2020 年 11 月【何事得個貧?】有毒的慈善

【何事得個貧?】有毒的慈善

 

Lai近年看見教會關愛貧困者,積極參與社區服侍,讓我的心情既喜且驚!「喜」是看到教會行公義好憐憫,甚至委身於長期服侍貧困者;「驚」是目睹部份教會或弟兄姊妹只抱持「到此一遊」的扶貧心態,以派發物資為主的探訪活動,容易養成依賴,甚至害己也害人。

其實,在開展事工或活動之先,我們需要先檢示自己對貧困的定義。如果我們認為貧困成因是受助者不認識社會服務資源,我們便提供教育工作;若我們將成因定義為社會的不公義,我們便會從政策倡議入手;若我們認為是源於個人的罪,我們便向受助者傳福音。我服侍無家者廿多年,發現若沒有事先探討自己對貧困成因的定義,只看到貧困者表面的「缺乏」,便往往按此「缺乏」而投放資源,不斷給予所需物質,流於表面。

貧困者如何看自己的狀況和需要?「世界銀行」於 2000 年訪問了近 2 萬個貧困者,總結了貧困者對自己的描述:感到羞恥、弱勢、無助、低等、被困住、懼怕、無盼望、人際關係欠佳、有壞習慣、沒有選擇、沒有影響力、受社會孤立、沒有人脈等[1]——當中提到的,主要是社會和心理上的需要,涉及個人對自己的看法,並與社會的關係,而「物質需要」反倒少之又少。所以,若我們未弄清楚貧困者的真正需要就啟動服侍,便會犯下如「冰山理論」所指的毛病——「冰山理論」指一個人的「自我」就像一座冰山一樣,在水面上能讓人看到的只是表層,深藏水中的內在世界,卻佔更大部份,而不為人所見。同樣,若我們把「貧困」簡化為「欠缺物資」這表象,忽略貧困者的複雜心理、社會和靈性等問題癥結,便無法對症下藥,胡亂開方反倒令貧困人士患上新的「疾病」—— 強化其受助身份,使之對物質援助養成依賴。

兩位扶貧教育家 Steve Corbett 及 Brian Fikkert 於 "When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself" 一書中提醒,援助不當可能加劇貧窮人的自卑和羞愧感,因為助人和被助兩者之間確有高低層級之分。在幫助人的過程中,我們傷害了貧困者和我們自己。看看這個公式便會明白:

定義貧困是缺乏物資 + 助人者的救世者情意結(驕傲) + 貧乏者的自卑感(退縮/依賴) = 同時傷害助人者和貧困者。

其實,助人者和貧困者同樣有自己的問題,例如部份助人者透過助人獲取自我肯定。所以兩者都需要擁抱自己的缺乏和破碎,同等地承認自己需要主的幫助。著名的社區工作顧問 Robert D. Lupton 亦於 "Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It)" 一書中警告,對貧困人士只作物質施予,會造成惡果:施予一次,讓人欣賞;施予兩次,引起期待;施予三次,製造期望;施予四次,成為「理所當然」;施予五次,徒剩依賴[2]。 筆者在深水埗接觸的露宿老友記正深受其害,因為有頗多的教會、團體或弟兄姊妹在此不斷派物資,包括各式各樣的食物和衣物等,貨源不絕。另一邊,我聽到一位住板間房的清潔工,清理通州街時看到很多沒有開過的飯盒,痛心不已。近年來,要鼓勵露宿者脫離露宿生活變得越來越難,因為這裡有很多熱心人士和教會,在物質上有求必應,反而上了樓的露宿者卻無人理會。我們需要三思:究竟我們是叫美門那瘸腿的起來行走?還是不自覺地鼓勵他們留在原地,繼續依賴別人賙濟?(徒3:2-8)

 

Lai 1

 

最近一位同工向我哭訴,事緣她服侍的一位露宿者,本是有風骨並自力更新,卻因著不斷被游說領取物資而成為新的「伸手牌」,令人痛心。值得深思。Robert D. Lupton 建議一眾幫助貧困者的教會和弟兄姊妹要訂定「憐憫服侍約章」,詳見下圖[3]。 訂立扶貧準則,目的是提醒自己避免「好心做壞事」,例如為了自我感覺良好,又或是取易(派物資)不取難(同行發展)而胡亂服侍。我們不應為貧困者做他們能做的事,於派物資時也須考慮能否幫助他們達致康復和發展的目標,例如幫助他們發掘和發揮天賦才能,恢復上帝創造的生命尊嚴等。

 

NoQuickFix

憐憫服侍約章:有智慧地幫助

 

[1] Deepa Narayan, Robert Chambers, Meera K. Shah, Patti Petesch, "Voices of the Poor, crying out for change", The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development,published by Oxford University Press, Inc., 2000.

[2] Robert D. Lupton,"Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It)" , HarperCollins, 2011, p129。

[3] lbid, p128.


(賴淑芬博士,香港豐收慈善基金總幹事,基督教關懷無家者協會顧問。)

歡迎瀏覽《領袖生命事工網》

https://www.leadersbedoing.net/

Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZ9tl2eJ9Gim2oQk7v-Etw

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

Go to top