Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?" And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:37-40

What is the world's big news story?

Some, when they hear that question will say, "It's the presidential campaigns in the U.S."

Others will say it is the "war against terrorism" or "the war in Iraq." Some will reply, "The most important bit of news in the world today is the breakdown of the family and the increase of immorality." There is yet another group that will say it must be "global warming."

What is the world's biggest news story? According to Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia University's Earth Institute, not one of these things qualify.

Mr. Sachs says the soaring cost of basic foods has made hunger the world's most important news event.

Maybe he's right.

In Bangladesh, where the price of rice has doubled, twenty thousand textile workers took to the streets in protest. In Egypt, two rioters were shot and hundreds were arrested when they protested food prices that have risen forty percent. In Cambodia, food-price protesters were dispersed by police armed with cattle prods. In the Ivory Coast, thousands marched on the home of the president shouting, "We are hungry" and "Life is too expensive; you are going to kill us."

These food riots are going on in every poor country of the world.

And I'm not sure what to do to change it.

I am sure starving people are desperate people, and desperate people do desperate things.

I am equally sure the Savior would have His followers do all they can to help. So that He might be glorified, Jesus told His redeemed followers to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to help heal the sick, and visit those in prison.

He has told us to do for others what we wish others would do for us.

This is why we will begin with prayer for these unfortunate individuals. This is why I believe each of us will help as God has given us the ability and the Spirit has given us motivation.
Hunger is a news story that needs to go away.

THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, You give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. As Your people, may we do all we can to make sure our harvests and the world's hungry are brought together. May we do what we can to be witnesses to our Savior who did all He could to save us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 24-27    Luke 23:1-25

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