Hunger: A Biblical Perspective

Hunger is a devastating reality for millions of people around the world. In the Bible, God expresses deep concern for those who are hungry and calls on His followers to provide for their needs.

God's Heart for the Hungry

Throughout Scripture, God's heart is revealed for the hungry.

• Psalms 34:10
  "The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing."

• Proverbs 19:17
  "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."

• Isaiah 58:10
  "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday."

God's Call to Feed the Hungry

God not only expresses concern for the hungry but also commands His followers to provide for them.

• Matthew 25:35-36
  "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."

• James 2:15-17
  "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

• 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?"

How to Help the Hungry

There are many ways to respond to God's call to feed the hungry. Here are a few practical steps:

• Donate to charities that provide food and other assistance to those in need.
• Volunteer at local food banks or soup kitchens.
• Support farmers who are working to increase food production.
• Educate yourself about hunger and advocate for policies that address the root causes of food insecurity.
• Pray for those who are hungry and for wisdom in how to respond to their needs.

Remember, when we feed the hungry, we are not only meeting a physical need but also demonstrating the love of God in practical ways.