Inspired by Robert D. Lupton’s Oath for Compassionate Service from his book Toxic Charity 

  • Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
  • Never do for the poor what they have (or could have) the capacity to do for themselves.
  • Limit one-way giving to emergency situations.
  • Strive to empower the poor through employment, lending, and investing, using grants/gifts sparingly to reinforce achievements.
  • Put the needs of those you are serving above your own self-interest.
    • Focus on serving in ways that actually help those in need, rather than how you feel about it.
    • Phil 2:2-4 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but everyone for those of others. (NAB)
  • Listen intently to those you seek to help, especially to what is not being said – unspoken feelings may contain essential clues to effective service.
  • Above all, do no harm.

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6:8's Oath for Service Video Library

6:8's Oath for Service Introduction
6:8's Oath for Service - Part I
6:8's Oath for Service - Part II
6:8's Oath for Service - Part III
6:8's Oath for Service - Part IV
6:8's Oath for Service - Part IV