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Business Fosters Dignity

Everything an evangelical Christian could do to help the poor in Mexico, I had done.

Vacation Bible School? Yes. For five years in a row, from 8th grade through 12th grade, I went with my church on one-week mission trips to the Mexican border.

Sponsored a child? Yes. Nutrition, a place in a school, and access to a Bible and a church were all provided with a monthly financial contribution.

Built houses? Financially supported missionaries to Mexico? Discipleship for an indigenous Mexican Christian leader? Check, check and check.

After years of efforts like these, I looked up one day and felt dejected. I felt I had done everything an evangelical Christian could do to help the poor in Mexico, yet the country's poor only seemed to multiply.

I began to wonder if something could be done on a larger scale to help more people in Mexico. Far and wide, I searched for solutions.

In books – by economist Hernando de Soto and humorist P.J. O’Rourke – I learned how capitalism, a word dreaded by so many, has actually been the greatest economic force for poverty reduction the world has ever seen.

In dialogue with Christians at the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty, I recognized even the poorest person – because he or she is created in God’s image - has the capacity to contribute to their own economic well-being.

In the Wall Street Journal, I read how Russia enacted tax reform resulting in an increase of $8 billion US in revenue. I also read how a modest rise in the number of jobs – new jobs from growing businesses – could lift more than ten million Mexican citizens from dramatic poverty to very simple means.

Policy reform. Job creation. Ten million people.

As Christians let’s continue to support vacation bible schools, child sponsorship, house-building, and support for missionaries. Let’s also remember God has uniquely gifted every person and work for societal and cultural conditions allowing each person – even the poorest of the poor – to flourish and develop as stewards of God’s creation.

Rudy Carrasco serves with Partners Worldwide and resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Stay connected with Rudy on Twitter at @rudycarrasco. Compiled by Amplio Recruiting.