Luke 15:1-3, 11b-24
1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus.] 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable: 11b “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
“… and no one gave him anything. …”
It’s interesting how things are changing. Giving people something to eat has seemingly become a partisan issue. Certainly, the Scriptures calls us to share what we have with those who are hungry and in need. Typically, that has been done with generosity and grace, not expecting anything in return. As God has freely bestowed upon us all great blessings, we similarly share those blessings with others.
Now, it seems that giving comes with a catch. Rather than just offering someone food, something is required. Feeding those in need has somehow become transactional. You don’t eat unless you do something for me. Where in the Bible is that? Hasn’t the mantra always been: “It is more blessed to give than to receive”?
Perhaps, like the prodigal, those who are hungry deserve what they get. After all, he did squander his dad’s money. Perhaps that makes it all right to allow him to starve. Or, perhaps, like Jesus himself who forgives even the unrighteous, it’s better to err on the side of saving the life even of the squanderer.
As people of faith, we are called to share what we have been given. As people of faith, we are called to encourage others, including those who administer our laws, to share as well. We live in a nation where no one should have to eat pig pods to survive.
Prayer: Lord, You have shown us the way of generosity and grace. Inspire us this day to share what we have been given and lead us to encourage others to do the same. Let no one be hungry in our land. Amen.