Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day; teach him to fish and eat for a lifetime. These words seem Christ-like; one would think they were a biblical principle. Because the New Testament is grounded in the lives of the disciples and many fishermen, it seems natural that this would have a Biblical perspective. But it is not. Chinese philosopher Confucius is said to have penned these words, but no record exists. This phrase has been my mantra since creating my first company. It has always seemed like the right way to do things.
Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his interests but also to the interests of others.”
Give a Man a Fish
In the book “When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor… and Yourself,” This helping stage is called relief; it provides immediate assistance or charity to address immediate suffering. One of the biggest mistakes Western cultures make when helping others is providing relief when they need rehabilitation. Why does Western culture do this? Well, it is easier and faster.
Think of an experience you have had in your town. It is easier to give someone a few dollars for food than to help them find a job. Worse yet, help them acquire a skill that leads to a job. By doing something, we avoid the guilt of doing nothing. When you meet an immediate need, you see the relief on their faces: instant gratification. You can go back to your home knowing you made a difference.
The problem is that someone will need to eat again and again. Life is uncertain, and there is no guarantee that you or someone like you will be there for the next meal.
1 John 3:17, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
There always exists a need for relief. It is typically short-term and specific. A tsunami hits a remote village, wiping out its infrastructure. Water, food, and electricity are all required quickly to serve the inflicted. There is a time to give a man a fish, but it should be while you teach them to fish for themselves.
Teach a Man to Fish
Ephesians 4:2, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”
Self-respect is the most important gift you give to someone. In Regi Campell’s book Radical Wisdom, Regi says, “Give a man a dime a day for thirty days, then stop. He will resent you for the rest of your life.” This quote seems like an overstatement, but the intent is genuine. Give a person a better standard of living, then take away the support and see what happens.
In the book, “When Helping Hurts…” this stage of helping is called rehabilitation. It emphasizes the importance of education, empowerment, and self-sufficiency. Instead of relying on external help, teaching someone a skill (in this case, fishing) enables the recipient to fend for themselves in the long run. It promotes independence, sustainability, and the ability to meet future needs without continual external assistance.
It gives people a life with their heads held high. It gives them the self-respect needed to carry on. But it has a price greater than money. It requires a long-term plan, volunteers who will return over the months or years, willing local participants, and patience. We are a quick-fix society; we don’t play the long game. Our donors want to see results.
Romans 15:1, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
The Fisherman Teaching Others
When a person who has learned how to fish decides to teach others, you have the material for long-term change for the better. The last stage is development. John F. Kennedy is credited with saying, “All ships rise on the same tide.” he may have taken it from a New England Chamber of Commerce slogan. An interconnectedness of people or entities within a community, society, or economy requires teamwork to grow. The larger the middle class, the more robust the economy. As each community member becomes self-reliant, the whole community becomes self-reliant. In many cases, these communities start reaching out to other communities. The program becomes viral.
If you are going to help, really help. Don’t create a co-dependency. It is easy to become an idol in someone’s eyes if their need for you is strong enough.
Matthew 25:35-40, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me, I was naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”