‘Their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.’ Acts 6:1 NIV
Since the government didn’t care for widows and orphans back in New Testament times, the church took on that responsibility. Unfortunately, bias raised its ugly head and Jewish widows and orphans were given preferential treatment over Gentile widows and orphans. How did the church leaders respond? They could easily have dismissed it, like we so often do. They could have said, ‘We’re called to feed souls, not stomachs. We deal in matters of sin and salvation, not sandals and soup.’
Instead, here is what they did. First, they called a meeting to resolve the problem (see Acts 6:2). They let every member know that their church took poverty seriously, and they were each personally responsible before God to do something about it. The Scripture doesn’t endorse forced communism, but it clearly teaches Spirit-led volunteerism. Second, they assigned the problem to their brightest and best. They selected seven men – well respected, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom – and gave them this responsibility (see Acts 6:3 NLT). Instead of grooming our children for ‘important’ fields like medicine, law, politics, or government, let’s teach them that caring for the needy is one of God’s highest callings.
Why do 10 per cent of the world’s population go to bed hungry each night? Or seventeen thousand-plus children die every single day (one every five seconds) from malnutrition and preventable diseases when we can do something about it? No one can do everything, but God has called each of us to do something! ‘Pure and genuine religion…means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let world [systems] corrupt you [into believing that it’s not your responsibility]’ (James 1:27 NLT).
The Need in the UK
Uk Foodbanks Foodbanks have become an increasingly common topic in the UK over the last decade. The number of people using foodbanks has risen significantly, and it is important to understand the reasons why this is happening.
According to recent studies, around 14 million people in the UK are living in poverty. This is a significant increase from previous years, and many of these people are struggling to put food on the table. As a result, foodbanks have become a vital resource for those who are struggling to make ends meet.
One of the main reasons why people are turning to foodbanks is due to changes in the welfare system. In recent years, there have been significant cuts to benefits, leaving many people with inadequate support. This has left many people unable to afford basic necessities such as food, forcing them to turn to foodbanks.
Another factor contributing to the rise in foodbank usage is low pay. Many people are struggling to make ends meet on low wages, leaving them with little money to spend on food. This is particularly true for those in low-skilled jobs or those on zero-hour contracts.
In addition to this, there has been a significant increase in the number of people experiencing debt and financial difficulties. This can leave people unable to afford food, and they may turn to foodbanks as a last resort.
It is not just individuals who are affected by food poverty in the UK. Children are also impacted by this issue, with around 4.2 million children living in poverty. This can have a significant impact on their health and wellbeing, and it is important that we do everything we can to support them.
Foodbanks are doing an incredible job of helping those in need, but it is important that we also look at ways to tackle the root causes of food poverty. This includes addressing issues such as low pay and welfare cuts, as well as providing more support for those in financial difficulties.
There are many ways in which we can all help to support those who are struggling with food poverty. This can include volunteering at a local foodbank, donating food or money to a foodbank, or simply raising awareness of the issue and the impact it has on people’s lives.
In conclusion, the rise in foodbank usage in the UK is a concerning issue, and it is important that we work together to address the root causes of food poverty. By doing so, we can help to ensure that everyone has access to the basic necessities they need to live a healthy and happy l
2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
