We were watching a story about a small factory in Southeast Asia that was using child labor to make their products. The gist of the story was the appalling conditions the children worked under, and they worked for little or no pay. Those stories are normally aired to shame the companies that buy their products and followed by demands the “sweat shops” be closed. I was upset like most Westerners to see a story like that, but my wife said, “At least they get to eat.” Her words stuck with me, and I have repeated her sentiment when similar discussions come up. When you’ve known hunger and that you may not get anything to eat again, your priorities change.
My wife was born in the Philippines into a poor family and too many times they didn’t have food and didn’t know when or if they would get to eat. Thank GOD some relatives took she, her brothers and sisters in, and they were fed and sent to school. It wasn’t always easy, but at least they got to eat and an education! Those stories don’t always have such happy endings. When people barely have enough, they can’t afford luxuries like compassion and generosity. Surrounded by such dire need, you become hardened because what little you have wouldn’t be enough to help them and you could be the next one facing hunger.
Susan said she used to sit behind her aunt’s house and cry out to GOD. She worried whether her sisters were safe and how would she bury her father if he died because of his drinking. As the eldest child, she carried the overwhelming burden for her family. GOD eventually answered her prayers, and she was able to care for her family and more. I thought Susan’s life experiences would make her stingy, but instead her compassion and generosity often amaze me. As we traveled and lived around the World, I’ve learned to get out of the way when the LORD touches her heart! She can’t help everyone, but she did what she could and continues to sacrificially give even we are on a fixed income ourselves!
Someone asked me how GOD could let children die of hunger. They weren’t looking for an answer, but it is obvious to those of us who have experienced GOD’s love and mercy. You are the one who lets children die of hunger when you don’t follow His will for your life! GOD wants us to love Him with everything and love our neighbor as ourselves (Mat 22:37 and 39). No, we can’t help everyone, but we can help those who the LORD gives us.
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17 KJV). When you love Him with everything and love your neighbor as yourself, you will overcome “The thief” (who) “cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (because) “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 KJV). Then the hungry will get more than just to eat. They will get all He has!
Wayne Lance (2022) – That’s Good News to Share!