We, concerned Bishops, Reverends and Pastors in Balaka, wish to
express our disapproval on what some stakeholders are saying on food
distribution being undertaken by the country’s Head of State, Her
Excellency Dr Joyce Banda.
These assertions have been circulating since late last year when the President- being guided statistics from experts- noted that close to 2 million Malawians were facing hunger due to lack of food in their respective homes.
Since September last year, the President has been going round the country distributing food to these vulnerable Malawians. However, we have sadly noted that of late the issue seems to have coincided with the political environment as other quarters see the exercise as a ploy to entice voters as we approach the May 20 elections.
OUR CONCERN
In view of the above, we intend to communicate the following;
1- We, in strongest terms, hold a different view on the matter as we believe that what the President is doing cannot be faulted when human life comes into the picture.
It is universal and undisputable knowledge that food is life. As leaders of the people, we are able to see the fruits of the distribution exercise as many vulnerable people now have food even during these perpetually hard months; a thing that never happened for the past two decades. Previously, people suffered greatly from months of September to February due to lack of government intervention as is the case now.
2- As a God-fearing nation, Malawians should always be in the know that biblically it is recommended to share what one has with those in need. In view of that, Her Excellency Dr Joyce Banda is simply following what the Holy Book highlights in as far as Christian living is concerned.
3- In addition, we- in relation to our Faith- believe that as the body of Christ we have a responsibility to pray for those in authority as they undertake their duty of helping the poor and the vulnerable in society. The Bible clearly highlights this spiritual obligation in 1 Timothy 2: 1-3 (I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour)
In addition, our role is to encourage the President to continue serving Malawians with diligence especially in times of dire need, hunger being one of those cases.
It has been said time and again that the food she is sharing with Malawians is sourced from her friends; on top of the maize being distributed from grain reserves. As such, our prayers for Dr Joyce Banda and her government are paying dividends looking at millions of people who are benefitting from her gesture.
4- Contrary to claims that the distribution is a political ploy, we believe that any act of cheerful giving begets blessings as Biblically given in Acts 20:35 (I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said it, It is more blessed to give than to receive). And in this case the cheerful giving by a God-chosen leader, Dr Joyce Banda, will attract blessings not only to her as a person but to the whole nation of Malawi.
Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8 guides us on the need to give without being forced by anyone or anything. As such, Malawians need to take note that the President is giving food to those in need without any sinister motives but the conviction that is coming from deep down her heart to help. We, therefore, disagree that this is a political exercise and those claiming so need to reorganize their mindset. Instead of blaming the President’s gesture, all Malawians should rather take it a lesson on how society needs to treat its vulnerable people. We should all emulate what the Head of State is doing if we are going to abide by God’s decree on how we ought to treat those in need.
These assertions have been circulating since late last year when the President- being guided statistics from experts- noted that close to 2 million Malawians were facing hunger due to lack of food in their respective homes.
Since September last year, the President has been going round the country distributing food to these vulnerable Malawians. However, we have sadly noted that of late the issue seems to have coincided with the political environment as other quarters see the exercise as a ploy to entice voters as we approach the May 20 elections.
In view of the above, we intend to communicate the following;
1- We, in strongest terms, hold a different view on the matter as we believe that what the President is doing cannot be faulted when human life comes into the picture.
It is universal and undisputable knowledge that food is life. As leaders of the people, we are able to see the fruits of the distribution exercise as many vulnerable people now have food even during these perpetually hard months; a thing that never happened for the past two decades. Previously, people suffered greatly from months of September to February due to lack of government intervention as is the case now.
2- As a God-fearing nation, Malawians should always be in the know that biblically it is recommended to share what one has with those in need. In view of that, Her Excellency Dr Joyce Banda is simply following what the Holy Book highlights in as far as Christian living is concerned.
3- In addition, we- in relation to our Faith- believe that as the body of Christ we have a responsibility to pray for those in authority as they undertake their duty of helping the poor and the vulnerable in society. The Bible clearly highlights this spiritual obligation in 1 Timothy 2: 1-3 (I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour)
In addition, our role is to encourage the President to continue serving Malawians with diligence especially in times of dire need, hunger being one of those cases.
It has been said time and again that the food she is sharing with Malawians is sourced from her friends; on top of the maize being distributed from grain reserves. As such, our prayers for Dr Joyce Banda and her government are paying dividends looking at millions of people who are benefitting from her gesture.
4- Contrary to claims that the distribution is a political ploy, we believe that any act of cheerful giving begets blessings as Biblically given in Acts 20:35 (I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said it, It is more blessed to give than to receive). And in this case the cheerful giving by a God-chosen leader, Dr Joyce Banda, will attract blessings not only to her as a person but to the whole nation of Malawi.
Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8 guides us on the need to give without being forced by anyone or anything. As such, Malawians need to take note that the President is giving food to those in need without any sinister motives but the conviction that is coming from deep down her heart to help. We, therefore, disagree that this is a political exercise and those claiming so need to reorganize their mindset. Instead of blaming the President’s gesture, all Malawians should rather take it a lesson on how society needs to treat its vulnerable people. We should all emulate what the Head of State is doing if we are going to abide by God’s decree on how we ought to treat those in need.