The Causes of Hunger:
From NAMB—Issues & Answers: Hunger
The causes of hunger are multidimensional & deny the temptation of simple answers. Hunger does not result simply from the lack of rain or overpopulation. It is not just a matter of poor economic choices. Hunger is complex & often misunderstood.
War.
A major contributing factor to hunger is war. Civil & international wars cause hunger through the disruption of farming, the destruction of marketing facilities, the displacement of people, & the decline of economic growth.
At the height of the 1984-1985 African famine, civil wars raged in five nations: Angola, Mozambique, Chad, Ethiopia, & the Sudan. These nations housed the largest bulk of those Africans who faced hunger.
Economics.
National & international economic decisions contribute to hunger. In the United States, some people face hunger due to unfair taxes. The sales tax on food, for example, reduces the amount of income available to the poor to purchase food. Another example is the lack of governmental competitive bidding on the purchase of commodities supplied to welfare recipients, which decreases the amount of funds available.
Some government-controlled market economies create hunger when they encourage the growth of cash crops rather than food crops12. Growing cotton rather than grain may be good for a nation’s balance of payments, but it takes away the incentive for rural farmers to grow food. Additionally, global consumer patterns sometimes contribute to hunger.
The most fertile farmland in the Third World is often diverted from producing food for domestic consumption to food for foreign consumption. Coffee, cocoa, sugar, & tea are grown for the breakfast tables of northern industrialized nations, rather than cereals for those in impoverished lands.
Environment.
Almost everyone recognizes that too little rain causes droughts & too much rain causes floods, both of which lead to crop failure & then famine. More & more people are beginning to understand the interrelated nature of the ecological system. For example, the Sahara Desert is being pulled 10 miles southward every year due to man-made causes. Overgrazing, over-cultivation, & deforestation have transformed once productive farm lands into wastelands.
Environmental mismanagement destroys natural barriers to soil & wind erosion, uprooting the very things that hold moisture & fertile soil in place. The loss of topsoil may account for declining crop yields.
Population.
Perhaps no cause of hunger is more hotly debated within some circles than the issue of the relationship between population & hunger.
Some people think that overpopulation causes hunger. They reason that too many mouths to feed exist in a world with too little food. Their solution to the hunger problem is to reduce birthrates, especially in nations with soaring rates.
A second group believes that hunger & economic insecurity cause overpopulation. They argue that impoverished parents often have many children in order to contribute to the work force & in hopes that some will provide for them in their old age. This group holds that the solution to overpopulation is economic security.
The third group thinks that the problem is not overpopulation at all. The problem is not too many mouths to feed, but an inadequate food distribution system. They point out that the world produces in grain alone enough food for everyone to have 3,500 calories a day13.
Blaming hunger on overpopulation is a popular approach. It allows people to feel that the hunger problem is someone else’s problem. It frees them from a sense of responsibility.
The debate over the relationship between overpopulation & hunger is unlikely to disappear in the near future. It has been debated for over a century. It is probably going to be discussed as long as large population centers place enormous stress on certain nations through environmental destruction, unemployment, & governmental instability.
Apathy.
Perhaps one of the most serious causes of hunger is apathy within the Christian community. Christians have been moved to make occasional contributions to hunger relief efforts. But when quick-fix solutions have not appeared, we have become discouraged & have begun to think that we cannot make a difference. Often we just give up.
WORLD HUNGER OFFERING DAY—
Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19-22; Lk. 10:25-37
Attention/Need:
Cause of Hunger(above)
Care/
Solicitude— ‘Attentive care & protectiveness—An attitude of earnest concern & attention.’
The OT Law of Israel presented the principle of solicitude for the needy thru concrete actions.
God’s Law presents the principle of solicitude for the needy in/thru concrete actions.
1—WHAT does it mean to shoulder solicitude for the needy?
What does it mean for me personally?
Explanation/Argumentation (Lev. 19:9-10; Deut. 24:19-22) Sacrifice
In practical terms:
Lev. 19:9-10—“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor & the stranger: I am the LORD your God.”
Deut. 24:19-22—““When you reap your harvest in your field, & forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow. And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing.”
SACRIFICE is demanded & expected!
Not sacrifice to your God, but sacrifice to your neighbor!
The field of the Israelites was their means of sustenance & income.
God’s command to Israel regarding their fields, their crops, trees, vineyards reveals ?
In our ‘reaping,’ we must consider others. This is a matter of the heart!
Illustration:
Event-ly, Yearly, Weekly, Daily, By the heart’s yearning for Jesus & thus yearning for helping the needy
Practice solicitude(care) for others in your Heart....Mind....on Paper... Lifestyle!/Tangibility!—Put feet to it!/SACRIFICE!
Application:
?Is your life so ordered as to effect solicitude for the needy?
?Will you help shoulder solicitude for the needy?
2—WHO shoulders solicitude for the needy?
Whose responsibility is it?
Explanation/Argumentation:(Lev. 19:9-10;Deut. 24:19-22; Lk. 10:25-37)
God’s people
Lev. 19:9-10—“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor & the stranger: I am the LORD your God.”
Deut. 24:19-22—““When you reap your harvest in your field, & forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow. And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing.”
No doubt, some Israelite somewhere inevitably kept tabs on exactly how much of his field was left for the needy, Bragged on it to others of means, & compared notes among themselves. This could lead to ‘giving wars’ just to see who could ‘give’ the most—not more but the most—for recognition’s sake. But this amounts to fulfilling what Christ condemned in Mat. 6:1-4...
Mat. 6:1-4—““Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues & in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; & your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”
When the people of God are truly the people of God, then they WILL minister to those in need. Particularly to those of their own faith, to their own brothers & sisters in Christ.
Lk. 10:25-37—“And behold, a certain lawyer stood up & tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered & said,” ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, & with all your mind,’ & ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this & you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered & said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, & fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, & departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came & looked, & passed by on the other side. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him & bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil & wine; & he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, & took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, & said to him, ‘Take care of him; & whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’
So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go & do likewise.””
*The first deacons (Acts 6:1-7) were organized & employed for that very task!
Acts 6:1-7—“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples & said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God & serve tables. “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit & wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer & to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith & the Holy Spirit, & Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, & Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; & when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, & the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, & a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
We(the Church) must take responsibility on a personal level & on an organizational level!
Illustration:
Are means in place @ Needmore BC, @ the Associational Level, @ the State level....Conventional level, to aid the poor, the hungry the thirsty? If not, then what must be done? We must be convicted by the Holy Spirit to head &/or to take part in that ministry.
Application:
?Is your life so ordered as to effect solicitude for the needy?
?Will you help shoulder solicitude for the needy?
3—WHY do we/God’s people shoulder solicitude for the needy?
Why should I care?
Explanation/Argumentation:(Lev. 19:9-10; Deut. 24:19-22; Lk. 10:25-37) Define ‘Needy’
Lev. 19:9-10—“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor & the stranger: I am the LORD your God.”
Deut. 24:19-22—““When you reap your harvest in your field, & forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow. And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing.”
Lk. 10:37—“And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.””
A. Because God expects it!
“I am the LORD your God.”
B. Because we were(past tense) Enslaved!
“And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing.”
Rom. 6:4-7—“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.”
Rom. 6:16-22—“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.”
C. Because there is a Need!
‘Needy’— ‘Lacking the necessities of life.’ or ‘Being in want[physical].’
NOT....I want a new iPhone or iPad....NOT I want a new Beemer or Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes Benz or Roadster....NOT I want a 4000 sq. ft. house for only 2 people, etc.
*‘Needy’ for all our intents & purposes today, is—Not knowing when you may eat again.
Illustration:
Think of this as you eat in a restaurant...
As you enter the ‘food court’ in a mall...
As you throw our your trash...
Application:
?Is your life so ordered as to effect solicitude for the needy?
?Will you help shoulder solicitude for the needy?
4—WHERE do we/God’s people shoulder solicitude for the needy?
Where do I help?
Explanation:(Lk. 10:25-37) Globally
Anywhere your ‘Neighbor’ is in need...
But we must define our ‘neighbor.’ How close or far is a ‘neighbor?’ Can something you do make a difference in that person’s or those people’s life(lives)?
Everyone has a ‘sphere of influence.’
Connections & networking or the lack thereof either shrink or expand that sphere of influence.
The church is a wonderful means of making connections, interactivity & networking.
*How encompassing is your ‘sphere of influence?’
Thru our SBC ties we have, & you have, a global reach!
We are a missions people at our very core!
Whenever we start to focus on ourselves, then we lose our reason for being. We lose our concern for others! & we certainly can’t express solicitude for their need!
We can always accomplish much more together than we can when we’re apart. We can have a global hand in saving physical & spiritual lives!
Argumentation:
Lk. 10:25-37—“And behold, a certain lawyer stood up & tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered & said,” ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, & with all your mind,’ & ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this & you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered & said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, & fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, & departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came & looked, & passed by on the other side. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him & bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil & wine; & he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, & took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, & said to him, ‘Take care of him; & whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go & do likewise.””
Illustration:
Countries where the govt. is oppressive or broke abused/The people suffer horribly/WHERE?
Go to any urban location/Nearest you/There are places where people gather/Near homeless shelters/’Dining’ halls/WHERE?
Application:
?Is your life so ordered as to effect solicitude for the needy?
?Will you help shoulder solicitude for the needy?
5—HOW do we/God’s people shoulder solicitude for the needy?
How can I make a difference?
Explanation/Argumentation:
Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund Offering
Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund Giving Statistics:
100% of all contributions to feed hungry people. (Personnel are already in place; thus, administrative & promotional costs are borne out of other budgets.)
Every dollar you give goes to the field....No money is taken out for promotion, for facilities, or wages for the missionary! Every dime goes to provide food or help people grow their own food. No other relief organization can make this promise!
In 2009, Southern Baptists gave $5,036,025 to the World Hunger Fund. (ERLC, 2010)
In 2009, Southern Baptist hunger ministries fed more than 5 million meals to the hungry in North America. As a result, more than 36,000 professions of faith were reported.
Unfortunately, active Southern Baptist giving to the World Hunger Fund has declined from $1.70 per person in 2000, to $.94 per person in 2009. If every Southern Baptist gave just $2, hunger gifts would rise 112%.
The Gospel was shared over 785,000 times because of opportunities provided through hunger ministries.
Southern Baptists’ gifts for world hunger provided for projects in more than 68 countries in 2008.
Illustration:
Your gift makes a difference to someone’s life/You will probably never see the people who are effected by your sacrifice
You will probably never receive a personal ‘thanks’ for the gift you give today...
But in it you join with millions of other Christians to accomplish an impact for Christ in a lost world!
Application:
?Is your life so ordered as to effect solicitude for the needy?
?Will you help shoulder solicitude for the needy?
6—WHEN do we/God’s people shoulder solicitude for the needy?
Whenever—NOW!
Explanation Argumentation/Illustration:
(Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19-22; Lk. 10:25-37) NOW!
Whenever we are convicted of the Holy Spirit!
&
Whenever we have opportunity in the Holy Spirit!
NOW!
Lev. 19:9-10—“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor & the stranger: I am the LORD your God.”
Deut. 24:19-22—““When you reap your harvest in your field, & forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, & the widow. And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing.”
Lk. 10:25-37—“And behold, a certain lawyer stood up & tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered & said,” ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, & with all your mind,’ & ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this & you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered & said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, & fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, & departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came & looked, & passed by on the other side. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him & bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil & wine; & he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, & took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, & said to him, ‘Take care of him; & whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go & do likewise.””
“Compassion”—splagcnizomai—1) To be moved as to one’s bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity). Strong—To have the bowels yearn, i.e. (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity:-- have (be moved with) compassion.
Application:
?Is your life so ordered as to effect solicitude for the needy?
?Will you help shoulder solicitude for the needy?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Hunger Cause
Action:
Solicitude— ‘Attentive care & protectiveness—An attitude of earnest concern & attention.’
1—WHAT does it mean to shoulder solicitude for the needy?
2—WHO shoulders solicitude for the needy?
3—WHY do we/God’s people shoulder solicitude for the needy?
4—WHERE do we/God’s people shoulder solicitude for the needy?
5—HOW do we/God’s people shoulder solicitude for the needy?
6—WHEN do we/God’s people shoulder solicitude for the needy?
Presented 10/10/2010am to:
Needmore Baptist Church
SBC World Hunger Fund Day
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
