Faith Action
As followers of Christ, we seek to express and embody God’s reconciling love at all times and in all places. Throughout the scriptures, God speaks of our purpose to rebuild, restore, and renew all that is broken (Isaiah 61). We work to end the brokenness of hunger and poverty in our communities, in our country, and around the world. We partner in God’s work to remove the barriers that impede the flourishing God intended for all people.
Our faith moves us
The themes below are important faith motivations for working to end hunger.
LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR
Scriptures speak to the role and responsibility of leaders in caring for people experiencing poverty (Psalm 72; Jeremiah 22; Proverbs 31:8-9). In the New Testament, Jesus calls his followers to love their neighbors (Matthew 22:39-40) and warns that the nations will be held accountable and judged for the ways that they have treated the least among them (Matthew 25:31-46).
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
In the Gospels, Jesus was compassionate to all people, especially the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the hungry, the poor, and the infirmed — the most vulnerable in society (Isaiah 61:1-2; Matthew 11:2-6; Luke 4:18-21). Jesus loved all people — rich and poor — and actively cared for people in need. He urged his disciples to do the same (Matthew 25:31-46). We too are commissioned to do the same today.
CONFESSION OF OUR COMPLICITY TO SIN
Human sin has marred every aspect of creation. Sin is both individual and social, personal and structural. Because of greed and disobedience to God’s commandments, humanity experiences social and economic disparity that leads to hunger and poverty. Through the prophets, God held rulers accountable for the sin of the nation of Israel (Jeremiah 22:1-5). Poverty is a disastrous aspect of human sin.
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39
Christians’ involvement in civic affairs
As people of faith, we heed our moral call to engage with our government. Practicing citizenship is our right under the U.S. Constitution. Hunger is a profoundly important issue that should be a top concern of our government. We are serving God when we raise issues of hunger and poverty with our government. It is our responsibility to engage in the processes that remind all elected officials to make relief from hunger and poverty a priority and to address their root causes. To convey this message, concerned people of faith can and should be involved in advocacy before the government.
