In today’s political arena, we hear — especially, though not exclusively, from the Christian and conservative right — a lot of talk about abuse of government programs by the disenfranchised of our nation. Yet, God repeatedly calls us to what He refers to as “true religion.” What is this true religion?
True religion, says God, is to help those who can not or do not — for whatever reason — help themselves. God specifically mentions orphans and widows, i.e. the vulnerable of our societies.
I want to look at these two groups of people in the time of the prophets: orphans, who truly can not help themselves and widows, who may actually be able to help themselves. An orphan is on her own; she needs total assistance. However, a widow may marry her dead husband’s brother, and so make her way in the world. The wife described in Proverbs is quite well-off; yet God calls us to help her when her husband passes.
Repeatedly, God calls us to establish justice, not to tax the poor, not to turn aside the needy. Those of us who have things have them because of God. Why do we cling to them as if they belong to us?
Recognize our place is not to judge the disenfranchised; our place is to assist them.
“because you trample on the poor
and you exact taxes of grain from him,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
but you shall not dwell in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
but you shall not drink their wine.
12 For I know how many are your transgressions
and how great are your sins—
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
and turn aside the needy in the gate.
13 Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time,
for it is an evil time. 14 Seek good, and not evil,
that you may live;
and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you,
as you have said.
15 Hate evil, and love good,
and establish justice in the gate.” (Amos 5: 11-15)
Grace Partakers 
The difference is that we think that this is a responsibility of people and churches and that if the government takes that responsibility for themselves, they remove that burden from the individual. We believe in personal responsibility and not collective ability. We do not believe that the government taking a portion for themselves before they give it away does as much good as us giving the whole of the portion ourselves. If you look at the evidence you will find that when people accept personal responsibility, they are more inclined to do the work that God expects.
Patricia,
I so appreciate your response, and the kindness you show in it.
I guess I see the government as a tool to be used by God to help people. That it fails is because the government itself is made up of people, and people are flawed, of course.
Taxes are to be used to build roads, bridges, armies, police forces, schools, firemen, etc. In addition, taxes are for shelters, soup kitchens, etc.
If the church would do its job, then perhaps government wouldn’t need to be so big.
I don’t know.
Anyway, thanks again.
In Christ, Carley
Thanks Susie. God bless you, sister!
Thanks Jeff. Blessings to you, brother.
Thank you so much, Peace in Heaven.
Thank you, Occupy Evangelicals! God bless the 99 percent!
Thank you Lady Dei.
Wow! Much food for thought tonight. Interesting and great points through the post and the comments. I’m inclined to believe God has already met the needs of those less fortunate. It’s in our wallets. Remember what James, Peter, and John encouraged Paul and Barnabas to do as the carried the gospel to the gentiles? Teach deep doctrine? Prepare grand worship ceremonies? March through the streets chanting, “the end is near!?” Nope – Galatians 2:10
Hmmm… God bless, Carley
Amen, Micheal! Thanks!
Thanks Ula.