I had a very interesting assignment this week for Psychology. In recent years the World Health Organization has estimated that more than half of the deaths that occur in children younger than 5 are caused by undernutrition (Bryce, et al., 2005 as cited in Papalia & Olds, 2008). The question I was asked is what is our job as Christians when it comes to poverty and world hunger. This what the Lord placed on my heart to share with my classmates-----
"It is important that we as Christians see the need and meet it. As I was looking through the Bible to find what it says regarding the topic of poverty, malnutrition and helping others I came across two very interesting and relevant verses. The first is Acts 20: 32 & 35,
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified… In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
This verse really made me think. When it comes to world poverty and malnutrition this is our job. As a Church and a community of believers in Christ we are to be helping the weak, the orphan, the homeless and malnourished. The result of what happens when our job is neglected or the expectations of us are not met is dramatic. This is what the prophet Ezekiel said in Ezekiel 16: 49-50, "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy… Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.” He did away with them?? Wow! I think that it is important for the people of God to stand up and make a difference.
There are many organization, and missionaries that are already trying to make a change giving their lives to the cause of helping the needy and the oppressed, what else can we do to help. In America we have some of the richest people in the world! We have the means to supply these people with what they need, and so we should give out of our hearts what we feel called to give. This is a huge issue that is so important and as Christians we really need to get our heart and minds on board. There are so many ways that we can help by giving money, emotional support, and by providing proper medical care. The issue of malnutrition/ undernutrition affects not only the child from the 3rd world country, but children here in America as well. It is important that we see the need and bless the families who are in need of help. What Jesus said is so true; it really is “more blessed to give than to receive.” Service to Christ however he has called you is the vision for life, it’s what he did on earth and it is what our lives should be devoted to. God bless you all as you seek the Lord and find ways to help those in need."
