12/3/2014 FEEDING THE HUNGRY
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 Thanksgiving or Christmas 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 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 unneeded boxes and can goods? Do we bring food "fit for a KING" or whatever we can find? Do we put any thought into what we donate? Is the effort that we put into donating to others equal in any degree to the meal we prepare for ourselves or the kind of preparation we would give to GOD?
The Hungry
Hunger is still a problem in America. According to Feed America:
- In 2013, 49.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, including 33.3 million adults and 15.8 million children.
- In 2013, 14 percent of households (17.5 million households) were food insecure.
- In 2013, 6 percent of households (6.8 million households) experienced very low food security.
- In 2013, households with children reported food insecurity at a significantly higher rate than those without children, 20 percent compared to 12 percent.
- In 2013, households that had higher rates of food insecurity than the national average included households with children (20%), especially households with children headed by single women (34%) or single men (23%), Black non-Hispanic households (26%) and Hispanic households (24%).
- In 2011, 4.8 million seniors (over age 60), or 8 percent of all seniors were food insecure.[v]
- Food insecurity exists in every county in America...
See, www.FeedingAmerica.org.
The war on hunger in America (and worldwide) has not been won.
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.
So as we eat, as we serve food and respond to the needs of the hungry among us, as CHRIST instructed, let us also think about the "quality" of the food we eat, 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 JESUS? And, if not, why give it to someone else or eat it ourselves?
In the days ahead, as we physically and spiritually prepare for the holidays, let us pray that GOD help us obey Matthew 25 and BE BLESSED!