Feeding the Poor
Feeding the Poor
by Scott Nordstrom
The scriptures tell us that the poor will always be with us so why bother with the effort and resources required to provide food to a hungry child?
I am reminded of the story that you will find in all four Gospels about Jesus feeding the 5,000. The scriptures do not reference these people as poor, but only that it was dinner time. This was a great opportunity for Jesus to show us how much can be accomplished if we will trust Him with what we have. Recall the boy in the story? He gave Jesus the few loaves and fish that he had and Jesus fed a whole lot of people in the process! According to biblical scholars there was close to 20,000 people there that day when you count the women and children!
I think the other thing that Jesus was demonstrating for us that day is that He is the provider. How can He provide if we don’t allow the time and space for Him to do so?
So, what does this have to do with feeding the poor or hungry children? Well, we have been talking about Feeding the 5,000 since late last year, and I know that if you consider the scale of this task like I do, it can quickly overwhelm. However, what God is calling us to do is to trust Him, provide Him what we might have available to feed the poor (hungry children in our case), and allow Him to provide.
We can easily feed the 5,000 children we already have within reach of our current partnerships, but on the other hand it is overwhelming to consider the costs. It is much easier not to try and no stress will ensue. No serious conversations will be required within our board, and maybe we won’t have to ask those involved for so much more in terms of resources.
A conversation of this nature came up within the ministry this past month. In the situation we were discussing was in regards to serving five orphaned children that needed aid. It was not an automatic ‘yes’. Based on the current number of children we already serve today, each additional commitment requires consideration. I pondered this decision and wondered why I was so insistent that we step forward for these children. I turned to the scripture for guidance on this matter.
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. As found in James 4.
As we discussed internally, I believe that this wisdom is more about doing the good. we can do. You see, we’ll miss out on the blessing if we don’t step forward in obedience. Missing the mark, or sin as reference here, emphasizes the importance of doing good and offers a serious contrast.
Based on all the children we already serve today we are not actively seeking additional places or partners in which to serve. However, when we are made aware of needs of children in the field what can we do but serve?
I invite you to join us in feeding the poor at Feed 1,000's of Hungry Children and we’ll change the future and provide hope to many.
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Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work to date through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care. In June we will serve 3,299 children in DR Congo, India, Pakistan, Kenya, South Sudan, and Zambia within our Home-based Care, Nutrition, and Scholarship Initiatives.
Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and was a co-founder when we launched in 2005. Scott has served with GO! for 16-years and has been involved with men’s ministry for the last 11-years. Scott has been instrumental in deploying 159 volunteers on 24 teams to the mission field, and has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia. Scott has also spoke in the United States, as well as, internationally regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love.
You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Circle, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Support the Global Orphan Relief Children.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE
Global Orphan Relief (GO!) is a Christian relief agency serving vulnerable children and is a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations to GO!, or any charitable contribution processed through Network For Good Donor Advised Fund, are tax deductible to the extent of the law. If you prefer, you may provide gifts of support by sending via mail to the address above. For your convenience you may also give electronically at our website at GLOBAL ORPHAN RELIEF.