Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Luke 16:10
Work, honesty and reliability:
More and more Pwo Karen are getting jobs with salaries such as a teacher, employee at a company, pastor, child worker etc.. Many more do seasonal work that temporarily will provide them with much money. The Karen people that live in villages usually own their own rice fields. Many of them do not produce enough rice for the family for one year. This makes it necessary that one works, frequently outside the village. Some Karen grow tomatoes, cabbage, peppers, peas or other products. This is done in general with the help of a Thai or a Lawa person. This person provides the seeds, the Karen people do the hard work and then the profit is shared. At least, that is what is said. There are several examples that clearly show that the Karen people are deceived.
Sometimes they get only a small part of the profit and there have even been situations that they got nothing because there was no profit. If they themselves grow products they usually get a very low price for their products, the real profit disappears in the pockets of the middlemen.
Most workers in the Pwo Karen churches get a salary, in many cases sponsored by an organization or a foreigner. There are a couple churches that support their pastor themselves. These men, who are involved in the church work, have often a higher education and expect a salary that is appropriate with their level of education.
Their longing for a large salary is the motivation to take a second job such as being an evangelist for another organization. Nine out of ten cases the parties concerned have no knowledge of each other’s involvement. Frequently it’s kept silent. The Karen brethren think their task is to preach on Sunday and give a weekly Bible study. When that is done they feel they have done enough for their salary.
There are some cases where people receive funds from three or four sources that are not aware that more groups are involved. One of the problems is that organizations don’t know the situation on ground level. Another problem is that people are not kept accountable. Many organizations believe the Christian workers on their word and trust the Lord for the rest.
Praise:
- Thank the Lord for the churches that maintain their own pastors financially.
Pray:
- For the Pwo Karen Christians, that they will give a good example to their children in trustworthiness, honesty and generosity.
- For Pwo Karen brothers and sisters who serve the Church by preaching the Word and educating youth and children. Pray that they will be satisfied with what they have and that their highest desire will be to serve their Lord and not a wealthy and luxurious life.
- For Pwo Karen people that work to make a living that they will receive the necessary money to look after their families and relatives. Pray that they will not be deceived. Pray that the Christians will ask the Lord to bless their employers and that they themselves will be patient with them. Pray that their changes lives will be living testimonies. Pray that people will come to know about the Lord and receive Him as their personal Savior.
