Standing With the Poor
“17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
1 John 3: 17-18, NIV
In Week 4 of the Practice of Fasting we face the reality of our world in which there are far too many people who do not have enough food to survive. The average family of four in the US spends $1,500 a year on food that will be thrown away which represents 40% of our food. When we deny our stomach food it’s also a way to activate our heart, to feel compassion for those who hunger, not as a choice, but a predicament of life. We live in the wealthiest country on the planet where materialism is a subversive enemy to spiritual formation. When we fast, we stand in solidarity with those who hunger, not by choice, but by predicament. One of our purposes of Fasting is to love our neighbor, particularly the poor. Isaiah 58: 3-12. This spiritual discipline also frees-up resources to share with those in need. 1 John 3: 17-18. This could be as simple as giving the $20 you would have spent on coffee and lunch to a food bank, local church pantry, or buying groceries for someone in your community. Or, even Venmo-ing someone to help defray some of their medical bills.