Biblical Reflection
Read 2 Corinthians 8: 1-15
One of the greatest projects of Paul’s ministry was the offering he took among the churches in Europe to deliver to Jerusalem. We know from the historian Josephus that a severe famine swept across Judea between 44-48 C.E. This was most likely the impetus for the offering. It moved Paul to put on hold the missionary journey to Spain that he had been planning for quite some time, and it moved the churches in Macedonia and Achaia to give well beyond their means.
In 2 Corinthians, as Paul is still gathering funds, he explains to the church in Corinth the reasoning behind this offering: “I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance” (2 Corinthians 8:13-14, NRSV). Paul did not think it was right for some to be living in abundance while others were in need.
Paul himself had to sacrifice to make the offering possible. He had long been planning to travel to Spain on a missionary journey, but in Romans 15, right after re-affirming his desire to visit Rome and then continue on to Spain, he says, “At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints” (Romans 15:25 ESV). For Paul, providing aid to those who were in need took priority even over other objectives that he had held for much of his ministry.
Reflection Questions
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Think of the ways that our churches today follow Paul’s example by responding to the suffering of people in other parts of the world. Why have these efforts not been enough to address the continuing needs?
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In bringing good news to poor people overseas, what role do you see for the sharing of our personal wealth through giving to Christian relief and development agencies?
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What role do you see for the sharing of our nation’s wealth through poverty-focused foreign assistance?
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How might God be calling your church to further respond to hunger and poverty in the world?
Hunger Report Theme Summary
Development often has to compete for resources and attention with other U.S. policy objectives. In foreign policy, there is far more focus on defense than on diplomacy and development assistance. Other government policies may also limit the effectiveness of development assistance. For example, trade tariffs, agricultural subsidies, and some environmental policies can work at cross purposes with U.S. development assistance.
Discussion Questions
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How should our country attempt to balance our responses to pressing needs at home and the needs of poor and hungry people in other countries?
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What other worthy causes might clash with development priorities? How can they be reconciled? If they can’t be reconciled, should aid be given priority? Why or why not?
Possible Activities
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Read the section entitled “Coordinate Trade Policy with Development Assistance” on pages 94-96. Discuss when foreign assistance aligns with other priorities and when it is in conflict. Imagine how the competing priorities might be reconciled. Can you think of other policies that might be in conflict with effective development assistance?
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Read Box 2.1, “The Costs of Donor Demands” on page 61. Note the behaviors of donor countries and identify possible reasons for those behaviors. What attitudes might have contributed to these actions and their outcomes?
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As you conclude, pray for efforts to support sustainable development and consider whether there is something God might be calling you to do as a result of this conversation.
Based on the conversations you’ve had about development, your reflections at the end of each session, and your discernment of God’s calling, discuss how your group can be part of God’s bringing of good news to poor people in other countries. Visit your denomination or national church’s website to learn how your church is responding. At www.bread.org, learn how Bread for the World offers opportunities for people of faith to use their voices to end hunger. How can you be a voice to ensure that U.S. policies support holistic and coordinated, country-led development?
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