Jesus was born in a manger, hungry and naked, without a home (Luke 2:16).
The younger of two sons asked for his share of his father’s estate and the father’s wealth was divided. This prodigal son went away and squandered it with wild living. The only job he could get was in the fields feeding pigs and he envied the pigs their food. He remembered his father’s laborers always had enough to eat and he determined to go to his father, repent and become his servant. But his father felt compassion for him, embraced him and said, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet and let’s celebrate with a fatted calf. My son was dead and is now alive. He was lost and has been found! From Luke 15: 11-24
God backs up his desire to find those whose souls are spiritually hungry with an equally strong desire to help those who are physically hungry. His harvest is for all!
Who are the hungry? God calls us to feed those who are chronically hungry and have no access to resources that will subdue that hunger. Supporting a hungry child overseas, adding to local food banks with any surplus God gives you, filling up weekend backpacks with food for schoolchildren in need or taking piles of sandwiches down to the local homeless hangout in your city are all great ways to follow God’s command.
Who are the naked? Clothing poverty and insecurity is about more than actually having clothes on your back. There are a lot of thrift stores, clothing closets and churches that give away clothing. In my small county of 100,000 people, there are at least fifteen places where clothing may be found for free or minimal charge. Of course, transportation is needed to get there. Covering the naked can be more than providing different kinds of clothing. There is an attitude of nakedness that we are to cover also. This could be a feeling of lack, an insecurity of mind, or a spirit of comparison.
Who are the homeless? Paula Dyan, a social worker, systematically asked what it feels like of her homeless clients. What I have written below adopts the most common words she reports they use:
How do I feel? I feel humiliated, unwanted, like a pariah around other people, and I feel so alienated from real life. This experience is so emotionally shattering that I have low self-esteem and my moral compass is battered. I am rootless and unstable. I feel naked, vulnerable and unsafe. I am faced with danger daily and I am always scared. Noise and chaos rule the night. I don’t trust anyone. There is no privacy and I would rather be dirty in unclean clothes than expose any part of me. I am not healthy. There are constant obstacles to doing even the simplest things I used to do, and I have a hard time focusing. The stress from trying to find water, food, shelter, and a bathroom each day is overwhelming and some days I don’t have the energy to do even that. I am depressed and I don’t trust my own judgment. The days I have some get up and go and fire in my belly, it quickly shows up as frustration, anger and bitterness.
The prodigal son felt like this. He was Jewish and could not eat pork, but was so down in the world that he was sent to the fields to feed pigs. He was homeless and naked, living with the pigs in dirty clothing. He was hungry, lacking food, except for the pig’s food, and compared his circumstances to the harvest bounty his father’s servants enjoyed.
When he returned home, the father’s first response was to embrace him, dress his son with fine clothing, adorn him with jewelry and feed him his best food. He never scolded him or asked for repayment. He welcomed him home and held a party!
Our first response to the prodigal son’s situation is immediate: Be like this father for others. But a deeper meaning of this parable is to also know that your Father in heaven welcomes you in your hunger, your nakedness and your homelessness, just like the son. He wants to spoil you with His riches, no matter what you have done! He celebrates you, whoever you are and however you have come to this place.
When did God find you and give you a party (Luke 15:5)?
In what way might God lead you to help the hungry, naked and homeless in your community?
Ask Him to give you a generous spirit of delight in people! Find an organization that has a mission of respect and restoration at its heart. Or, find some like-minded folks and organize yourselves to do something creative.
Father God, You have spoiled me with Your riches. I want to share Your delight in me with others who are without. Thank You. Amen.
happy hunger 
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