Ron Sider, author of Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger died this week.
In reading about his death, I was reminded of the impact his book had on me when I read it in the ’70s and how I have become a coward in sharing what I believe in this area. The news of his death was a timely challenge to me because of a situation that happened recently at a church event.
What happened is that I found myself reacting strongly (silently) to a comment about someone who had significant money spending it on themselves.
“They made the money, they deserve to do whatever they want,” was the comment of the person seated next to me. Though as I said, I had a strong emotional reaction to what she said, I changed the subject and started babbling about something else.
I thought about it later and realized it was an episode of moral cowardice where I didn’t have the energy to say what I was really thinking and to say it calmly and discuss it thoughtfully.
What I wanted to say was, “Not really. All we have comes from God and we are responsible for it. Though we all struggle with a balance, how can we spend thoughtlessly on ourselves when much of the world today is in need?”
World hunger and need and our ability to meet those needs isn’t an unimportant issue
I thought about how leaders with world hunger ministries are saying that the current Ukrainian grain blockage, which we should all be praying is broken soon, will cause massive starvation. They are saying this is in addition to the continuing needs of many in our world. We can’t say we know nothing about them as the news shows us pictures of suffering and the stories are abundant if we take the time to read or listen.
I was also reminded of my current reading through the Old Testament prophets where again and again they cite as a reason that Israel and Judah go into captivity is that they ignore the needs of the poor. Though there are many, many verses that deal with this topic, here are a few from Jeremiah:
“(They) have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor.” Jeremiah 5:28
“Do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” Jeremiah 7:6
“This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” Jeremiah 22:3
“‘He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 22:16
How we treat the poor was important to the New Testament writers as well as the Old Testament prophets, as James reminds us:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
Most of all I was reminded of Matt. 25:31-46 where at the time of judgment Jesus talks about how when we do what He commands about caring for the needs of the poor, Jesus takes it personally, as if we were doing it for Him.
I’ve often commented (and remind myself) that it is futile to speculate of end times issues that we are told we cannot figure out and ignore the clear teaching of what is important to our Lord when this present world is dissolved and all is made new.
Ron Sider was one of the first to tell me about these issues
I still have my now almost 50-year-old copy of the book. Like all books, it has strong points and weaker ones. Apparently, it has been updated as I found when I went to look for Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger on Amazon.
The comments on it contained acknowledged weaknesses in the application of it as the author is not a professional in these matters, but a theologian who provides a challenge to our souls. Below are two comments that I found useful. Below them is the link to the news item about his death.
Before you read the following thought-provoking comments about the gook, my final application to myself is even though I may be a coward in conversation, I can prayerfully look at my life and budget, rich Christian that I am (even if I don’t always think I am, I have a home and indoor plumbing and so much to eat, I’m constantly trying to diet) and see how I can make better use of my resources so I can give more to the needs of others. I spend far more on myself than I want to admit and the large beam in my eye needs to be removed. Once I at least begin on an honest evaluation of myself, I’ll have more courage to share my concerns.
I probably need to reread the book also.
Thought-provoking reviews of Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger
I think every American Christian needs to read this book for the perspective it gives. I’ve read many of the critical reviews and they seem mostly to be politically motivated. I have to ask: When we read scripture verses like, “Sell your possessions and give the money to the poor,” why do we, American Christians, exert ourselves so to explain that away, rather than leaning in to carefully examine whether or not that is a word for us today? We avoid such careful self-examination at our own peril. God forbid we be one of the ignorant “goats” that Christ refers to in Matt 25. Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, sick or imprisoned? Scripture indicates those people never understood their responsibility to the poor. We owe it to our eternal souls to get some perspective on this issue and think long and hard, and hopefully allow that thought to make us better followers of Christ. This book is a great starting point.
Somebody has to say it. If you want to be a follower of Christ, look around. People need help. Put your money where your mouth is. I had the original edition and I’m glad to see Ron Sider has continued to revise this work to keep up with the current situation, both in the States and around the world.
Ron Sider, evangelical activist who wrote ‘Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger,’ dies at 82