2014 Congressional Elections The Biblical Basis for Advocacy to End Hunger | Page 7

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God has a role for
government to play
in the protection
and development
of people.

Old Testament law
established a structure for society
with deep, divine concern for
poor people and disapproval of
systems that keep or make people
poor. This structure was to stand
as a witness to all societies (Deuteronomy 4:5-8). The prophets
spoke out against injustice and
condemned the lack of concern
for poor people, regardless of the
structure of government in which
they were living (Isaiah 32:7; Ezekiel 16:49; Amos 4:1-3, 8:4-7).
The Scriptures speak to the
role and responsibility of leaders
in caring for poor people (Psalm
72; Jeremiah 22; Proverbs 31:89). In the New Testament, Jesus
calls his followers to love their
neighbors (Mathew 22:39-40) and
Brittany Thomasson
warns that the nations will be
held accountable and judged for the ways they have treated the least
among them (Zephaniah 3:8,13). Both Psalm 72 and Romans 13 emphasize the role and responsibility of leaders. These passages suggest that
our leaders are servants for the good, whether or not they acknowledge
that their authority comes from God. As Paul exercised his power as a
Roman citizen, so too can Christians advocate for government to protect
and provide for all its people (Acts 21-26).

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