by Pam Tinsley
Overwhelming hunger abounds. We read daily reports of the abject hunger imposed upon the starving children in Gaza; famine in Africa; hungry children even in the United States. Hunger abounds, and the lives – and, surely, long-term development – of infants and children are at stake.
At the same time, food sources abound. How much food intended for delivery overseas rotted in warehouses when USAID funding was cut off? Expiration dates are almost here for close to 200,000 boxes of nutritional supplement that have been paid for but not shipped by the U.S. government. According to the Washington Post[1], the food and supplements at Mana Nutrition alone could help as many as 60 million people. In the meantime, limited hands are available to harvest this summer’s produce on our nation’s farms and orchards as ICE agents target migrant workers. The amount of food wasted in our country is egregious, and in response, Congress has cut funding for food assistance for needy families.
The lack of concern for the plight of others is at odds with the basic teachings of Jesus. Instead of sending people away hungry, Jesus had compassion. Jesus says to his disciples, “You give them something to eat,” instructing them to feed the multitudes by gathering the seemingly meager rations of food at hand – only to have leftovers!
For Jesus, abundance means sharing. Likewise, the Apostle Paul urged the Corinthians to contribute to the needs of the community of believers in Jerusalem from their own abundance (2 Cor 9).
Although our country is one of the world’s wealthiest, we have lost compassion for those living in poverty and famine, both abroad and at home. Leaders profess Christian values but often neglect to demonstrate the essential Kingdom values of love and mercy.
In today’s world, Jesus calls us to speak up and express compassion and empathy toward those in need. Supporting and caring for the vulnerable and innocent is a collective responsibility, and by working together, we can make a difference. This is what it means to be a follower of Jesus today.
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/08/02/usaid-expired-food-supplies-malnutrition/
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