While the Bible says the poor will always be with us, that does not mean we should sit idly by and watch them suffer, writes Graham Howell, elder of the Mt Victoria Presbyterian Church, Crossways. Nor should we let more people become poor, or poorer.

As well as providing services like foodbanks and emergency housing, Graham would like to see more Christians becoming involved in advocacy work for the poor, both at a personal and policy level.

As a priority, he would like them to join in urging the Government to make a commitment to eradicating child poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand by 2006, a date chosen by the Wellington Regional Coalition of Foodbanks and the Wellington People's Centre.

He also sees a need for more people to help in ensuring current laws and policies are actually used towards alleviating poverty wherever possible. For example, a fairer allocation of the special benefit.

"Those missing out are forced deeper into debt, fail to access primary health services, fail to visit a dentist, shift often because they get into rent arrears, beg for food from food banks. The consequences are horrendous," he says.

Taxpayer money spent on bringing people up to a minimum standard of living will be well worth it, due to improved health, education and stability for those struggling, he says. "As Christians, we've got to look after the body as well as the soul."