This page offers the words of Augustine about the topic of hunger.

In his Sermon 345, Augustine speaks of the Christian obligation in the face of the poverty and hunger of others.

Sermon 345 of Saint Augustine is based on the following Scripture passage: Command the rich of this world not to be proud in their ideas, nor to have their hopes set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who bestows all things on us abundantly for our enjoyment. Let them be rich in good works, let them be ready to give things away, and to share; let them store up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may lay hold of true life. (1 Tim 6:17-19)

Augustine preached:

"Yes, let them be rich; but in what way? In good works; let them be ready to give things away, because they do not lose what they give away; let them share with those who have not got things.

This life is a dream life; these possessions are, as it were, flowing through our sleep. Listen to the psalm, you who are really the poorest of all people, Mr. Man of Riches: They have slept their sleep, and have found nothing in their hands, all the men of riches (Psalm 76:5).

Sometimes, too, a beggar lying on the ground, shivering with cold, but still overcome with sleep, will dream of great wealth, and grow proud in his sleep, and choose not to recognise his old father who is a poor man. Until he wakes up he is a rich person. So when he goes to sleep, he finds something false and unreal to rejoice in; when he wakes up he finds something only too real and true over which to grieve.

So the rich man when he dies is like the poor man when he wakes up, after seeing wealth in his sleep. I mean, there was that man too, clothed in purple and fine linen (Luke 16:19), a certain rich man who was neither named nor fit to be named, one who ignores the poor man lying at his gate. He was clothed in purple and fine linen, as the gospel testifies, and he feasted every day. He died, he was buried; he woke up, and found himself in the flames. So he slept his sleep, and found nothing in his hands because he had done nothing good with his hands."

So then, possessions are sought for the sake of life, not life for the sake of possessions. Do you love them? Send them on ahead where you can follow them; or else, when you give them your love here on earth, you either lose them while you are still alive, or leave them behind you when you're dead. Where? You can see, of course, what you bury in the earth? Burying in the earth gives you a nice sense of security, while handing over to the one who made heaven and earth leaves you feeling anxious? Well, keep it where you like; if you can find a better custodian than Christ, entrust it to him.

So why have any doubts about whom you can give to? It's the one who said, Saul, Saul, why are you causing me pain? It's the same one who says to you, "Feed me on earth." Saul was raging, and yet it was Christ to Whom he was causing pain. The same applies to you also; pay out on earth, and it is Christ you are feeding. Because this question which bothers you was foreseen by the Lord himself; those who are to be set on his right will also be bothered by it, and when he says, I was hungry and you gave me to eat, they will reply, Lord, when did we see you hungry? And immediately they will hear, When you did it for one of these least of mine, you did it for me (Matthew 25:35-40). You want to have the means of tickling your palate and filling your belly, because you fade away, otherwise; the one who will make you really and truly a rich person, is the one who grants you never to be hungry forever. Let us lead good lives, and for our good life let us not set our hopes on the fleeting good things of this earth. Earthly comfort is a cheap exchange for a good life.

Extracts from other sermons of Augustine:

"The gospel is the mouth of Christ. He is seated in heaven, but he has not stopped speaking on earth.

 Do not let us be deaf, because Christ is the one who is shouting at us.

The primary worm in the apple of riches is pride.

It is an evil grub that gnaws the whole away, and reduces it all to ashes.

You have something someone else has not; share, so that other things may be shared with you.

Share here, and you will share there. Share bread here, and you will receive bread there.

So, are they to lose their possessions? Let them share, he said, not "Let them give everything away."

Let them keep what is enough for them; let them keep more than enough. I am so thirsty, so hungry, I can even be happy with these crumbs.

You have heard what you should do, you have heard what you should be afraid of; you have heard what the kingdom of heaven can be bought with, you have heard what the kingdom of heaven can be blocked with. All of you be of one mind and heart together in the word of God.
[Augustine: Sermon 85.]

"God does not demand much of you. He asks back what he gave you, and from him you take what is enough for you. The excess goods of the rich people are the necessities of the poor people. When you possess more than you need, you possess what belongs to others.
[Augustine: Exposition on Psalm 147:12.]

"The possession of material goods is by nature the source of division. From these private goods flow selfish deeds, envy, competitive spirit, avarice, conflicts, and fight.
[Augustine: Commentary on Psalm 131, 5. 

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