Feed the Hungry? Really???

 

Are American Christians required to feed the hungry?

Or are they exempt due to political beliefs?

I’ve heard of groups being exempt from certain requirements of society due to religious beliefs.

But as religion takes a turn into a fantasy world,  it appears to me that the entitlement of American Christians has given them permission to disobey the bible because of their political beliefs. Let's count the ways they deviate from the teachings of Jesus and the Bible? In the name of politics?!?!?

Something I’ve wondered all of my life is why does the government have so many programs and spend so much money taking care of the needs of the poor? Over 40 years ago while I was in bible college, it dawned on me that the government is doing the work of the church. Wait! What? Oh yeah... If the church were doing the work of the church by taking care of the needs of the people in their community, there would be no hungry, homeless, or poor people; and no need for government programs. Even though this is the imperative of the early church that they took seriously as a measure of their own faith, the American Church has dropped the ball, often trading the work of the church for the work of politics, a venture not worthy of their name. Not only is this the right thing to do as a member of any religion and as an atheist, it is the right thing to do as fellow human beings. 

When Christians did the “work of Christians” in the bible, “there was no needy among them”.

Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

 

While American Christians are making excuses, Christians throughout the world and throughout history have been feeding the hungry and caring for the poor and needy knowing it is the heart of being a Christian in so many ways. For example,

 

1. It is proof that their faith is not dead and that their love is real  (a highly needed proof currently in America)

 

James 2:15-17 Suppose a brother or sister does not have any clothes or daily food and one of you tells them, “Go in peace! Stay warm and eat heartily.” If you do not provide for their bodily needs, what good does it do? In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead.

1 John 3:17-18 Now, suppose a person has enough to live on and notices another believer in need. How can God’s love be in that person if he doesn’t bother to help the other believer? Dear children, we must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words.

James 2:26  A body that doesn’t breathe is dead. In the same way faith that does nothing is dead.

2. Proof of unconditional love toward your enemy and an act of peace

 

Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy hungers, give him food to eat; and if he thirsts, give him water to drink.

Romans 12:20 Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head.

Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (unconditional).

3. Proves and strengthens one’s relationship with God

 

Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses the poor insults his maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors him.

Proverbs 21:13 Whoever shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will call and not be answered.

 

4. It is how Christians follow Jesus, his teachings, and his example. THIS IS THE “WORK OF THE CHURCH.”

 

Can the teachings and example of Jesus be any more clear?

Matthew 25:31-40 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”  

5. This is how the Christian’s light shines

Isaiah 58:10 If you give some of your own food to [feed] those who are hungry and to satisfy [the needs of] those who are humble, then your light will rise in the dark, and your darkness will become as bright as the noonday sun.

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Isaiah 58:7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

Ezekiel 18:7 He is a merciful creditor, not keeping the items given as security by poor debtors. He does not rob the poor but instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy.

6. Feeding the poor: a Christian mandate throughout the bible and throughout history

Psalms 146:7 - Which executeth justice for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners

Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Psalms 82:3-4 - Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.  

Proverbs 28:27 - He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Isaiah 1: 13 It's useless to bring your offerings. I am disgusted with the smell of the incense you burn. I cannot stand your New Moon Festivals, your Sabbaths, and your religious gatherings; they are all corrupted by your sins. 14 I hate your New Moon Festivals and holy days; they are a burden that I am tired of bearing. 15 "When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood. 16 Wash yourselves clean. Stop all this evil that I see you doing. Yes, stop doing evil 17 and learn to do right. See that justice is done - help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows."

(Job 29:14) When Job confronts his accusers, he insists, “I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger” 

7. God does not want hollow worship (Isaiah 58:6–10)

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

"Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."

What is the work of politics according to this newly imagined American Christianity?

• According to law, nonprofit organizations cannot support political policies and persons and keep their nonprofit status. The church needs to stick to what it was founded for as a nonprofit.

• Protesting the separation of church and state. The separation is critical and constitutional, laid down by our founding fathers. This allows for true “freedom of religion” (all religions) and for “freedom from religion” meddling the affairs of government.

• If something your church is working on is not a biblical mandate, then it is not the work of the church.

• Abortion is not a biblical issue. The bible does not say, “Thou shalt not commit abortion.” It is political. See below for proof.

• Homosexuality wasn’t even a word when the bible was written. The word used mean child prostitutes that were often used in the temples or perverted sexual acts. There is nothing about same-sex marriage and all of the other fears and phobias that Christians have conjured up. Homophobia is political, not biblical.See below for proof.  Has 'Homosexual' Always Been in the Bible? 

• If it is a biblical mandate, then Christans must follow it. If they are protesting against it, then their work is antichristian and has become the work of politics. For example, caring for the poor, the immigrant, the stranger, the alien, etc. See below for proof.

• Not only has certain political propaganda prevented Christians from doing the work of the church, it has been able to divert Christian resources like people, time, materials to go against what the bible has been requiring Christians to do. Now we are seeing corrupted and coordinated efforts such as the Christian:

• war on immigrants

• war on the poor

• war on science

• war on education

For a historical and biblical perspective, see this blog post: Immigration, Homosexuality, and Abortion: a biblical and historical perspective

For a bit more of the story of how the church in America sold out to politics, see this post: Hoodwinked & Hijacked