Caffeinated

The Bible contains a powerful principle called sowing and reaping, and Galatians 6 offers some insight into it:
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

We can be challenged to make sure that we are sowing to the Spirit - what does that mean?  Well, I contend that means to embrace the principles of Scripture, recognizing them as absolute truth for ourselves and for others.  If we are convinced of that, then we make decisions and take actions based on those truths.  God's Word provides a roadmap for our lives - He is full of wisdom that He wants to share with us...that wisdom is contained within His Word and is brought to light by the Holy Spirit.

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We can look to God as our provider, and we can present the transformative power of God to people who are suffering in various ways, including financially. 2nd Corinthians 9 says:
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God...

The gospel - and coffee - have worked to bring change to a village in Thailand, among the Mien tribe.

Back in the 60's, according to a piece on the Mission Network News website, the village was at the center of opium production in the nation.  Around the same time the government stopped the production, which was the village's main source of income, the ministry of FARMS International began to share the gospel.

A church was planted, which has now grown to 100 members.  And, that's not all that has grown. The villagers have realized that their climate is conducive for the growth of coffee crops.  To help facilitate the growth of these crops, FARMS has provided interest-free loans to the villages.  So, as the story points out, the "loan holders have a real change to pay the loan back. And, they are given with the understanding that after the loan is paid back, the recipient will tithe from their profit."

Joe Richter of FARMS is quoted by Mission Network News, saying that FARMS, “has always had a biblical approach to alleviating poverty and using a loan program has been a very effective way of approaching this problem."

Through the loan program and the revenue from coffee, a deaf family is hoping to obtain special resources and send a son to school in another city; others are repairing roofs, buying vehicles, or sending kids to higher education institutions.  Richter says, that the loan program..."increases their self-worth and their dignity, and it also encourages them in really understanding the Lordship of Jesus Christ,." He adds, "It also benefits the church in tremendously—increasing the tithing to the local church and it also increases outreach from those churches to other villages in the area."

What a great, creative instrument for transformation.  A few thoughts relative to the story.  First of all, the plan starts with the gospel and is centered on the gospel.  When God's Word is applied to a situation, the desired fruit will come - not according to selfish, worldly desires, but according to God's desires.  It's not a matter of coming up with a plan and asking God to bless it, but to allow Him to provide the vision, the framework, and the execution.

Another note, and why I really am a fan of micro-financing - the way out of poverty is not just a handout.  The government's "war on poverty," as it has been said, has spent an enormous amount of money trying to alleviate poverty, with questionable results.  According to the Heritage Foundation, since the declaration by President Johnson of a "War on Poverty:"

In the 50 years since that time, U.S. taxpayers have spent over $22 trillion on anti-poverty programs. Adjusted for inflation, this spending (which does not include Social Security or Medicare) is three times the cost of all U.S. military wars since the American Revolution. Yet progress against poverty, as measured by the U.S. Census Bureau, has been minimal, and in terms of President Johnson’s main goal of reducing the “causes” rather than the mere “consequences” of poverty, the War on Poverty has failed completely. In fact, a significant portion of the population is now less capable of self-sufficiency than it was when the War on Poverty began.

I believe that the approach to societal problems is more than monetary - sure, money is a component, but ultimately hearts have to be changed, people have to have hope, and Biblical principles have to be applied.  Dollars that are invested can be seen as tools to empower people to do ministry. People of faith can walk beside those in need to help to provide them with the right mindset to walk in spiritual and financial freedom.