Gold Fever Grips Slum

The slum district of Manila is already overcrowded, but a gold rush has made it worse. It all started when 15-year-old Alfredo Gallo, who was combing ...

Physician Describes the Frustrations of Compassion

For decades, Christian physician David Hilfiker has led a medical ministry in Washington, D.C.'s inner city. He writes:

Perhaps the deepest pain involved ...

Students Ignored Needy to Preach Good Samaritan Sermon

In research done by Darley and Batson at Princeton in 1973, a group of theology students was told that they were to go across campus to deliver a sermon ...

Spiritual Advantages of Poverty

Why would God single out the poor for special attention over any other group? I used to wonder. What makes the poor deserving of God's concern? I ...

Casino Promotes Gambling as a Solution to Debt

A casino in New Mexico ran an ad that offered an interesting solution for those facing financial problems. The Isleta Casino & Resort bills itself as ...

The Dramatic Conception of Sunday School

Robert Raikes was a bit of a dandy—walking about town in his wig and claret-colored coat, and carrying a gold snuff case—but he was also a ...

The Poor Need Joy

Mother Teresa was sometimes challenged about the long-term effects of her humanitarian ministry. For example, she was asked, "Why give people fish ...

Gospel Singer Sees Material Poverty but Spiritual Wealth

In 1988, in a small, struggling church in Argentina, gospel singer Damaris Carbaugh saw something she wanted. She was accompanying Brooklyn Tabernacle ...

$20 Arrives as Answer to Couple's Prayer

Author Elmer Towns writes:

My wife and I went through college by faith. If we had not prayed together daily through all our difficulties, I don't know ...

Compassion Energizes Ministry

Pastor Matthew Woodley writes:

Two years ago I nearly ditched the pastorate. I started focusing on the negatives of my job: the Saturday-night sermon-anxiety ...