One of the ObeyGC2 values is that work does no harm.
The Hippocratic Oath refers to the oath taken by medical doctors and one of the key phrases is that they will “do no harm” in their medical service. It dates back to the Greek Hippocrates. Just as that oath is a cornerstone of medical ethics, we should have a similar attitude in our ministry for the Kingdom. Unfortunately, much harm has been done in the name of the Kingdom which has crippled and disabled and demotivated the very people who were intended to be helped. Often this is in terms of creating dependency or at least an attitude of helplessness among people who are being served. Dependency is a huge topic. One of my favorite writers on the subject, Glen Schwarz, has a website that is a great place to acquaint yourself with the basics of the topic. You can access a list of articles on that website at http://wmausa.org/resources/article/. Much of the plight of sub-Saharan Africa today can be largely attributed to poorly conceived efforts to help there. That happens to be where Glen lived and served for a number of years so he has seen this problem up close. The greatest tragedy of dependency is that it creates a pattern of looking out for help rather than up (to God) and inwardly to see how to use what God has already given.
Isa 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
who rely on horses,
who trust in the multitude of their chariots
and in the great strength of their horsemen,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
or seek help from the LORD.
