2014 Congressional Elections The Biblical Basis for Advocacy to End Hunger | Page 2

Nine Biblical Themes That Guide Our Mission Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice, urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. Moved by God’s grace in Jesus Christ, we reach out to our neighbors, whether they live in the next house, the next state, or the next continent. Introduction We experience God’s grace and love through our faith in the saving power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. “We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another” (1 John 3:16). In the Gospels, Jesus was compassionate to all people, especially the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the hungry, the poor, and the infirmed —the most vulnerable in society. Jesus loved all people—rich and poor—and actively cared for people in need. He urged his disciples to do the same. As followers of Christ, we express and embody God’s reconciling love at all times and in all places. Throughout the Scriptures, God speaks of our purpose to rebuild, restore, and renew all that is broken (Isaiah 61). We are called to work to end the brokenness of hunger and poverty in our communities, in our country, and in other countries. Throughout the Scriptures, God calls people into community and sets the expectation that leaders (whether they are kings, pharaohs, or governments) should care for their people (Psalm 72:2). FIND YOUR PERSONAL INSPIRATION Therefore, we also reflect This brochure presents the broad themes from God’s love by challenging the Bible that guide the mission of Bread for the individuals and instituWorld in working to end hunger. In addition to tions given the power to the Bible verses and passages cited here, there change laws and strucare many other references to people who are tures that keep people vulpoor and hungry in the Bible, and Jesus spoke nerable. We work toward many times about caring for other people. As you a just world in which every consider the actions you might take in advocating person has an opportunity for an end to hunger, you are invited to find to thrive. We participate inspiration or motivation in a favorite Bible story in showing God’s love or verse or to explore the Bible on your own. Use and honor the dignity and this brochure as a guide for finding your own basis as a Christian for answering this call. worth of our neighbors.