MtM 48 - The rights of man

An opinion is frequently expressed that income disparity is inevitable and poverty results from bad decisions. Instead, I believe poverty is a design issue. It is caused by lack of opportunity. All people are born with innate potential and each person is generally as capable as anyone else. Yet multitudes cannot afford to live a decent life, which obviously reveals unacceptable flaws in an unfair system. Poverty isn't internally generated. It is externally imposed by an arrangement that perpetuates exploitation. We are told this is a free economy, that people have limits, that wealth accumulation is natural, that only money-making drones know happiness. We are fed a worldview that exalts personal desires and is blind to the unwarranted suffering it spreads. This self-centered process shoves solidarity aside and offers no solution to social inequality. In fact, people can be selfless by nature but selflessness is unprofitable in the current economic system.

Inspiring philanthropic words are found in the Gospel of Matthew, where the Lord says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This wisdom explicitly connects the wellbeing of others with our devotion to that which abides eternally. We cannot say we love God, if we don’t care for his people. The parable of the Good Samaritan reinforces that even enemies ought to be included among our beneficiaries. Humankind is a whole wherein no single person can ignore the suffering of others. What sets Christian charity apart is offering not just material aid, but empowerment. This relates to every act of assistance in which donors encourage and inspire receivers to achieve their own potential. With this support comes solidarity. With solidarity comes a friendship that affirms, “I suffer when you suffer. Please accept my help and allow me to share the heavy burden you carry!”

I discussed charity work with outstanding humanitarians who reinforced my core belief that the “rights of man” come not from the generosity of others, but from the hand of God. Those who struggle under an unjust system deserve access to community services. This viewpoint shifts the emphasis from giver’s obligation to beneficiary’s rights, while acknowledging that fate could have reversed any situation. This perspective avoids condescension by promoting acceptance of everyone’s centrality in a global village where nobody is left behind. With love and compassion we can redesign the social canvas to enhance social mobility, community integration and economic advancement for all of mankind. It is our mission to eradicate deep-rooted racism, marginalization and prejudice. It is our duty to promote an ethic of kindness, benevolence and sympathy that extends impartially to all human beings, irrespective of circumstances of birth.