Wasted Food
When we see graphic pictures of fellow human beings suffering from malnutrition and starvation and we consider how much food is wasted in the world, serious questions need to be asked about our stewardship of the land God has given us.
The words of the Lord Jesus in the parable of the sheep and goats as recorded in Matthew's gospel of: "when did we see you thirsty and not give you a drink, or hungry and not give you food....." become even more relevant to those of us living in the 21st century. The word "see" now takes on a completely different context, for we can literally SEE  before our very eyes, not just recent pictures ,BUT the actual live pictures of the dead and dying. It is understandable to focus on areas of East Africa at this time, although we need to remember that there are many millions of men women and children who do not receive sufficient food as God intended them to. Having naturally been praying that God will supply  funds for immediate aid I was encouraged to hear that the UK government was to give 50 million in aid, and so very also encouraged to see the generosity of the British public. Sadly though many governments around the world which made pledges to give aid, back in 2008 and 2009 to help with the then current problems have not paid up. The Lord sees our hearts and  how much individuals give to the poor and needy, and the whole issue of "when did I see my brother hungry or thirsty" is now going to be not such a genuine oversight based on ignorance, as clearly on television screens we see the suffering.
Although pleased that the UK government keeps to its pledges of financial aid there is no place for complacency though and still many serious issues to address in relation to the proper distribution of food and stopping the terrible waste. Although figures and statistics can at times be baffling and misleading they can, if properly used, give a good indication of a situation.
Starting at a global level it is estimated that one third of all food made for human consumption is lost or wasted, being approximately 1.3  billion tons per year.
 
In the UK  it is estimated that 8.3 million tons of food and drink are wasted a year of which 5 million tonnes is waste that could be avoided. Approximately 400,000 tonnes of this waste is attributed to retailers.
 
There are undoubtedly similar figures for the majority of all developed countries. Considering the high levels of obesity (people overweight) in the UK and the USA and many other developed countries, and yet a third of all food produced globally wasted and yet starving people in their millions, we have some serious ethical issues to address. Historically governments around the world have not responded to advanced warnings concerning forthcoming food shortages in developing countries and sadly I believe the Lord will judge us as nations for this.
 For those of us as Christians, particularly in the developed world, we naturally will respond and seek to be as generous as possible, according to what we have, in helping those we see on television screens. It saddens me greatly to see how quickly Western powers can mobilise troops to go and fight a war in foreign lands costing hundreds of millions yet are unable to help out in a really significant way in alleviating certain diseases let alone ensuring that aid is on the ground when the people really need it. Sometimes it is only tens of millions needed to significantly help to prevent certain diseases,the very ones which we in the West no longer have as a threat, yet sadly because (in my opinion) there is no real strategic value in intervention ie no oil, we do not get involved until thousands or millions have died.
In a world where many millions continue to basically get fatter and fatter and others thinner and thinner we have to address the problem of the distribution of food. In our highly advanced scientific age there is the way to efficiently distribute food, but sadly often not the will it seems. For those of us as Christians whose bodies are temples of the Holy spirit, although many of us may not pollute our bodies with excess alcohol or drugs , we certainly are not honouring God by putting strain on our bodies through overeating. Our ability as human beings to properly function mentally and physically is definitely affected if we are overweight. This is NOT said to condemn any of us but as a simple fact that needs addressing. The need I have for  the shedding a few pounds is not simply out of guilt but also so that I can be a more efficient child of God. God is merciful and realises that it is possible for us all to succumb to over eating yet proper stewardship of the food available to us is essential.
 
As believers we should naturally be those who minimise wasted food and seek to be those who give as generously as we are able to , to the poor and needy and seek to pray for a more just distribution of food available on our world.Any comments welcomed .