Hunger is a condition we know little about because we seldom experience it. In our land of plenty we have more than enough to eat. In fact, most of our health problems are ones of overeating rather than undereating. Gluttony, not starvation, is the curse of our society. The greatest discipline for many folk comes over the intake of food. We are surrounded by all kinds of food. Some of it is good for us and some of it is not. It is a matter of good health to learn how to eat properly. Likewise, it is a matter of spiritual health to learn how to share our food with those who are starving.

One of the great challenges to the Christian conscience is to feed a hungry world. Living in a country where we waste enough food to feed the starving masses is a guilt-producing reality. Of course we can pray and send our money to distant places in hopes that someone can facilitate our compassion. Perhaps this can help alleviate some of our pain. But it never seems to be enough. Multitudes are still starving.

Even in our land of super abundance there are folk who do not have enough to eat. Their financial resources are not sufficient to provide for daily nourishment. We have our food closets and our community drives to feed the hungry. The media does well in keeping the problem before us. Yet in spite of all our efforts, hungry people seem to be more numerous than ever. In this time of economic let-down hunger may become a product of our times.

We must not give up, however, even though we never seem to do enough. Jesus said, "The poor you have with you always." What a truth this is. Inasmuch as we have done it unto the least of these, we have done it unto Him. Of course there are people who will take advantage of our benevolence. For this reason we have to disperse our goods wisely, but we must always disperse them. Feeding the hungry is an assignment that will never be completed. We feed hungry bodies as a mechanism to feed hungry souls. We share our food as a witness to the love of God. He who took five loaves and two fish and fed the multitudes can take our generosity and bless hungry people. There is a sense in which we do our best and leave the rest to Him. It is indeed a miracle of grace that we even want to join Jesus in feeding a hungry world.