Social problems

These are problems that undermine Christian attempts to work together with others. They also slow down a country’s development.

Jesus taught us about equality and fairness, which we should practice at all times.

Christians should exercise Christian values when dealing with social problems.

 Nepotism

( Matthew 12:46 - 50),( Mark 10: 35 - 37)

Nepotism is the practice of showing favouritism or giving priority to one’s relatives over others. It is especially evident in work places or when admitting new students.

• Nepotism can destroy good relationship by:

a) Causing disunity among people.

b) Discouraging competent workers.

c) People become enemies and fail to respect each other.

d) Creating jealousy.

e) Promoting dishonesty and undermining one another.

• Jesus refused to practice nepotism when His mother and brothers came to see Him (Matthew 12:46-50). 

 Tribalism

 John 4: 5 - 10

Tribalism is an attitude that is based on strong loyalty to one’s own tribe.

• Tribalism can destroy good relationships in a nation. People usually practice tribalism because they do not trust other communities.
• Tribalism is a sin for it causes bitterness, pain and suffering to the victims.
• Tribalism can cause tribal clashes.
• It promotes laziness, mistrust and dishonesty among people. It interferes with the practice of living Christian values.
• It also destroys peace and harmony in the society.
• Jesus at Jacob’s well talked to the Samaritan woman to show His followers that they should not discriminate against others on the basis of their tribes.
• We should follow the example of Jesus in loving others equally as God’s children.

  Corruption

Corruption is the act of being dishonest in order to favour oneself or one’s close friends.

• To deal with all forms of corruption in Kenya, the Kenya Anti-corruption Commission (KACC) was formed.
• 
• Zacchaeus was despised and hated because he was corrupt.
• Through sharing a meal with Jesus, Zacchaeus was forgiven and accepted Jesus as his Saviour.
• Jesus forgives those who take bribes if they repent. 

• Christians should follow the example of Jesus Christ who served both His community and God. As good citizens we should serve our country by doing what is good.

• We should contribute to its development, not its downfall.( Romans 15:1-2) says that we should help the needy in our society and build them up rather than just pleasing ourselves.

• Christians should come together to help others. This makes community members happy and they remain united.

• Some of the things that encourage corruption are:

1. Greed and selfishness
2. The wish to become rich quickly
3. Laziness
4. Poverty
5. Unemployment
6. Lack of discipline among people.

• How can we overcome corruption?

1. By not bribing or accepting to receive a bribe from anyone.
2. By reporting any case of corruption to the authorities.
3. By working hard to earn an honest living.
4. By encouraging our friends not to be corrupt in any way.

Mismanagement of resources

A resource is something that can be used to generate wealth. Our minds, the land, other people and even the sun are resources.

• Human resources are the people who are useful because of their knowledge, skills and/or capabilities.

A woman working in a tea farm

• Natural resources are resources that are naturally occuring. They include water, minerals, soil, forests and wild animals.

Elephants in Masai Mara

Mt Kenya forest slopes

River Tana

• To mismanage resources is to handle resources badly.
• Destruction of forests and poaching are ways of mismanaging natural resources.
• Human beings are valuable resources of God. Mistreatment, underpaying or overworking employees is mismanagement of human resource.
• Natural resources are also valuable to God so we should take care of them.
• We should appreciate both human and natural resources.