Starving Christians

[charliedale]

Pastor Mike,

Even those of us who do not believe in the Prosperity Gospel often do teach and believe that God takes care of basic needs of Christians. This is often based in Scriptures such as Philippians 4:19 and Matthew 6:25-34. I might add that several Proverbs say that hard work is also required.

But what about Christians in third world countries who are actually dying of starvation?

[Mike Miller]

Well, Charlie, as usual you ask a very challenging question. However, when we look at those two passages in context I think we can come to an answer that makes sense.

First, the Matthew 6 text is in the Sermon on the Mount. When we look at the beatitudes, the explanation of the extent of the commandments, the teachings about love and forgiveness, and the instructions for the spiritual disciplines, we see that Jesus is describing a life that is not only out of the ordinary, but impossible as well. So, when he turns his attention to storing up treasures and having anxiety about daily provisions, he is in essence rebuking the attitudes and behaviors that we would call normal. It's normal and it makes sense to store up treasures. That is the way of the world. It is normal to be concerned about food and drink and clothes. But normal is not what God looks for. After all, "the Gentiles seek after all these things." So, I think the main point is that we are not to worry about these things like the rest of the world does. We are to trust God to give us exactly what He knows we need.

Now, here's the rub. We don't always need what we think we do. Jesus said, "Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" In other words, we think what we need is food and clothes, but those aren't the most important things. Look at the birds. They don't worry about food. And guess what? Sometimes they don't have food. As a rule they do, but even birds can die during drought and famine (my home--west Texas--is seeing exactly that). God never promises always to feed the birds. The point is that He does care for them--and without their anxiety. We're worth more than birds, so we know God will care for us. But life is about more than food. Same with the grass. It is clothed in splendor--unless there's a drought. Then it is dry and dead and ugly. But God provides exactly the way He knows best. So . . . don't be anxious about those things that do not define true life. Seek God first, and He will give us the provisions He knows we need. Sometimes we might starve or be poorly clothed. But God is wise and good and gives us what we need.

Second, the passage in Philippians 4 is very frequently misapplied. What is Paul talking about in those final verses? He is rejoicing in the fact that the Philippian church had provided some means of material support for him, having sent their gifts via Epaphroditus. Verse 19 is assuring them that God will meet all their needs as well. And if we look at all the passage, we know this is not a blanket promise that God will always supply material things for all His people. How do we know? In verses 11-13, Paul said that he had learned to be content in every situation--including hunger and need. He never said God always fed him when he was hungry or provided whatever need he had. No, it's that he learned that Jesus is sufficient when he is without (BTW--verse 13 is frequently abused. It is not a promise that you can do anything. It is an affirmation that we can handle anything through the strength that comes from walking with Jesus). Moreover, in 2 Corinthians 11, Paul said that at times he suffered hunger, thirst, and nakedness ("exposure" in the ESV). So, if Paul was at times without food and clothing, we can conclude that God never guarantees the opposite for all other Christians.

Now, to conclude, this might seem like some kind of hyper-spiritual answer with no real hope for those in deplorable conditions. But in addition to Scripture, testimony after testimony from hungering and otherwise suffering Christians has been that life is so much more than food and clothes. Jesus really is enough. This is not some cold, dispassionate explanation, but the very truth of the life transformed by the Gospel (which is anything but cold and dispassionate). We as Christians should do everything we can to help those in need and to alleviate as much suffering as possible. And our hearts should break for the hungry, the oppressed, the outcast, and the downtrodden. But we have real hope that those who walk with Jesus--who truly seek first His kingdom and righteousness--will experience the kind of life that far exceeds anything food or clothes can provide. And they will someday experience an eternity where suffering does not exist (see Romans 8:18).

[charliedale]

Well, Mike, as usual, you give a very sensable and exegetical answer!

[charliedale]

Your answer touches on the Problem of Evil. One thing I've recently observed is that those who suffer a great deal don't seem to be the ones who struggle with belief in the existance of God. Those who struggle over suffering and the existance of God are usually those who observe suffering from a safe distance, but the people who actually suffer are usually theists. I have no emperical data, but what I think I observe.

[charliedale]

I might add that your answers are usually pastoral too.