When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself

This book is an amazing practical book for anyone considering helping the poor. It is a frank description of the pitfalls of potential methods for poverty alleviation based on experience. Followed by practical tips and use case examples that can be easily applied to your life.

Buy this, listen, and apply it to your life. You will not be disappointed.

The reader does a fairly good job. His voice is easy to listen to. I played it on 1.5 speed and had no trouble following along.

Great book for anyone who is involved in a mission trip. Very good guide to learning how to give, without giving it away.

Brian has some good ideas, but in my opinion he didn't present a very convincing argument for his premise. Jesus said if someone asks for something, then give it. He didn't say "find out if they have a family or church that can assist them first". Brian suggests we often hurt the poor when we give, but didnt back up his assertions with compelling evidence.

Like most Christians, I want to put my faith into action by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and by showing real love to widows, orphans and the oppressed. This audiobook contained information that was convicting, instructional and motivational. The conviction came from realizing how much more I could be doing to relieve suffering among the poor. I particularly appreciated the author's insights into the nature of poverty and his suggestions for giving a hand up rather than a hand out as well as how to give without taking the recipient's dignity. I listened to this audiobook in preparation for a short term mission trip and came away with several ideas to run by the host missionaries for how I and the team I'm part of could contribute to their work.

All in all, a very worthwhile book.

This is the most profitable book I've bought on audible. It helped me understand the roots of poverty so that I can truly help instead of perpetuate the problems. It communicates the complex principles of community development in simple terms with practical examples. I would recommend downloading the kindle version as well for the helpful charts.

Walking with the Poor

I don't know.

I like the fact that it opens up your understanding of helping that actually helps and doesn't do harm. I didn't even know that giving could hurt people in need.

I don't think so, but I like his voice and reading.

No, but I am not a good listener.

This is a must if you want to go into missions or help anyone in this world.

This book gave me new insights into what we do to help those in need. Often, we mistakenly throw in money thinking it will help solve problems quickly. The author illustrates how this is frequently detrimental to local believers, and gives certain suggestions on what we can do to help with a view to sustainable ministry.Highly recommended!