What are the effects of childhood malnutrition?
Childhood malnutrition has many harmful and potentially permanent effects. Children that suffer from malnutrition may suffer impaired cognitive development and developmental delay leading to increased difficulty of finding meaningful work in adulthood. Thus, malnutrition is not only the result of living in poverty, it is also a contributing cause. In other words, childhood malnutrition perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Malnourished children are more likely to suffer from serious and potentially fatal childhood illnesses. Nutrition related factors contribute to an estimated 45% of deaths in children under the age of 5.
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Where is malnutrition most prevalent?
Malnutrition affects children and families all around the world. However, children living in Sub-Sarahan Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America and Haiti are at greatest risk for malnutrition. The majority of people living in these areas earn about 2 dollars per day. Thus, simply providing enough food for one's family is challenging enough, much less foods with sufficient nutrients for proper health and development.
What does the Bible say about the poor and does it matter?
The Bible is very clear on how Christians are supposed to view and assist those in need. In Matthew 28:16-20 we are give the great commission. We are called to spread the message of the Gospel to all nations. In 1John 3:16-18 we read that ..."If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth". Therefore the Bible is very clear that we are to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations and we are also called to help meet the needs of the poor. If we as Christians are to be obedient to the Word, then our treatment of the poor is extremely important. It is by meeting the immediate needs of the impoverished that we are also able to more effectively share with them the truth of the Gospel.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Biblical Verses About Poverty
Deuteronomy 15:11
For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
Psalm 72:12-14
For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence, he redeems their life; precious is their blood in his sight.
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Proverbs 19:17
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
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Proverbs 22:9
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
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Proverbs 14:31
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
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Proverbs 28:27
Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse
Acts 20:35
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”.
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Luke 3:11
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
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Luke 12:33
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys
Galatians 2:10
All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
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Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
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Hebrews 13:16
16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
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1 Jonn 3:17
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?