2014 Congressional Elections The Biblical Basis for Advocacy to End Hunger | Página 6

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Jesus said, “Whatever you do for the least of these
you do for me.” We do Christ’s work when we act
with and for hungry and poor people.

God teaches us, through the prophets, that we are not to
withhold nourishment from anyone (Nehemiah 5:1-13; Isaiah
58:6-10; Zechariah 7:8-10), not to harden our hearts, but to
give to those who are poor with an open hand and an open heart (Deuteronomy 15:10). In the Gospels, Jesus invites potential disciples to “follow”
him, making it clear that discipleship entails action—particularly service
(Matthew 20:26-28).
Jesus urges us to act on God’s behalf and provide the necessities of life
for all people (Matthew 25:35-40). We continue Christ’s work when we “go
and do likewise” (Luke 10:32-38).

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We hear God’s voice in Scripture and respond with
the faithful use of our own voices.

Proverbs says, “Speak out for those who cannot speak”
(Proverbs 31). Moses and the prophets spoke to those in
authority (Exodus 5; Amos; Jeremiah). God took away the
voice of the priest Zechariah because he failed to trust the
angel. Zechariah’s voice returned after he named his son John (Luke 1).
When John the Baptist grew up, he challenged the scribes and Pharisees. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus spoke with authority. On the day
of Pentecost, the early followers of Jesus
spoke so that each person heard the good
news in his or her own language (Acts 2).
We are to be faithful and persistent in using our voices (Luke 18:1-8: the parable
of the persistent widow; Matthew 15:2228: the Canaanite woman seeking healing for her daughter). We are stewards
of God’s grace by speaking and serving
with strength (1 Peter 4:10-11).

Margie Nea