MATTHEW 25:31-35, 37, 40 “When the SON OF MAN comes in HIS glory, and all the angels with HIM, HE will sit on HIS throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before HIM, and HE will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. HE will put the sheep on HIS right and the goats on HIS left. Then the KING will say to those on HIS right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by MY FATHER; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink….’ Then the righteous will answer HIM, ‘LORD, when did we see YOU hungry and feed YOU, or thirsty and give YOU something to drink....’ “The KING will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers [or sisters] of MINE, you did for ME. [New International translation]
Summary: The teachings of JESUS make it clear that we have a duty to feed the hungry. The verses in Matthew, Chapter 25 emphasize that our sense of duty to feed the hungry should have the same weight as if we were feeding JESUS HIMSELF.
Just imagine what it would be like if we knew that JESUS was coming to our home for dinner! Imagine the preparation. Imagine the planning you would put into the meal. Where would you shop if you knew that JESUS was coming? What would you serve? Would any amount of money be too much to spend? Imagine how much time you and your family would spend preparing a meal for HIM.
Now consider how campaigns to feed the hungry actually occur in our cities, our churches and communities. When we donate food for the hungry, do we donate the best goods in our pantries or just the unwanted and unused boxes and can goods? Do we bring food “fit for a KING” or just left overs? Do we put any thought into what we donate? Is the effort that we put into feeding others equal in any degree to the meal preparation and thought we would expend for GOD?
The Hungry in America
Hunger is still a problem in America. According to Feed America:
- In 2016, 41.2 million Americans lived in food insecure households, including 28.3 million adults and 12.9 million children.
- Households that had higher rates than the national average included households with children (17%) headed by single women (32%) or single men (22%), Black non-Hispanic households (23%) and Hispanic households (19%).
- As of 2015, 5.4 million seniors (over the age of 60), or 8% of all seniors, are estimated to be food insecure.
- Food insecurity exists in every county in America.
See, www.FeedingAmerica.org.
The war on hunger in America (and worldwide) still has not been won.
World Hunger
The world hunger situation is even worse. According to the World Health Organization, after a steady decline for over a decade, world hunger is on the rise again, having affected 815 million people in 2016 or about 11% of the global population. The World Health Organization notes that a UN global assessment of food security and nutrition attributes much of the problem to global conflicts and climate change. See, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/world-hunger-report/en/.
These problems have resulted in an increase of world hunger among 38 million more people than the previous year.
The 815 million hungry and food insecure people include:
In Asia: 520 million
In Africa: 243 million
In Latin America and the Caribbean: 42 million
See, “World hunger again on the rise, driven by conflict and climate change, new UN report says: 815 million people now hungry---Millions of children at risk for malnutrition,” September 17, 2017, Id.
We are a world in hunger “crisis.”
Hunger and Nutrition
One of the things we have to be mindful of when feeding anyone, including ourselves, is the difference between foods that merely fill the body and foods that provide good nutrition.
Having plenty to eat can take away hunger but still leave you malnourished if you do not eat the right food---that is food that provides the body with the right nutrients, minerals and vitamins.
When we serve food and respond to the needs of the hungry among us, as CHRIST so instructed, let us also think about the “quality” of the food we give and serve. Is it fresh? Is it “real food” or is it“processed food?”
Let us ask the “bottom line” Matthew chapter 25 question: Would we give it to GOD? If not, why give it to someone else or eat it ourselves?
In the days ahead, let us physically and spiritually prepare for the holidays. Pray that we discern what it means to feed ourselves and others. Let’s remember our stewardship responsibilities over our own health and the health of others---our families, the children, our neighbors (many of whom are still homeless in various states and territories, such as Puerto Rico) and be mindful of the health and hunger needs of people all over the world.
Pray one for another. Pray for the hungry in America and all over the world
Feed the hungry and, BE BLESSED!
