I was going to let this one go by, but I guess I haven't gotten beaten up enough yet this week.
From the website in the OP:
"Christians are required by Christ, without question, to provide for the poor, to the fullest extent that God has provided to themselves."
I'm very glad that the Proverb was put up, because the Word is powerful, but I'm not sure why they don't use prooftexts for "what they believe", like the quote above. Because I see a few places in the Bible where God speaks to us about care for the poor/needy/widows. And I'm not sure that's the conclusion I draw.
God presents us with three general ways in the Bible to take care of the poor and needy: 1) through the family, 2) through the church, and 3) through individual charity. The applicable passages for these three ways are Deut. 14:28, 29, Numbers 18:24, Matthew 6:1-4 and 1 Timothy 5:3-16.
Now, the first two ways are pretty clear.
People's first obligation is to the needy, poor, widowed and orphaned in their own families. Then, they have an obligation to the needy, poor, widowed and orphaned in their local church organization.
God established the pattern for this kind of church giving in Numbers 18:24 and Deuteronomy 14:28, 29. The money was not given just to anyone who showed up. Those able to work but don't do not qualify for help. Also, those who have families to take care of them don't qualify, nor do widows under age 60 qualify, according to 1 Timothy 5:3-16.
Matthew 26:11 says, "For the poor you have with you always..." It's not going to change b/c of some sweeping social change. It's been since the late 60's that LBJ declared his "War on Poverty". People are still poor. But there is a model for how to deal with the poor in order to most effectively help them in their need, from the blessings we've been given.
Jesus modeled a life and ministry of compassion to the poor. How?
1. He mingled with them (Luke 5:1-11)
2. Ate with them (Luke 5:27-32)
3. Comforted them (Luke 12:22-34)
4. Fed them (Luke 9:10-17)
5. Healed them (Luke 5:12-16)
6. Ministered to them (Luke 7:18-23).
I would submit that those called to walk in His image should do the things He did, not have Caesar (or Congress) give them a cash handout.
What about normal people? I'm not Jesus...I'm not healing anyone, right?
1. Tabitha, whose job was helping the poor (Acts 9:36-41).
2. Barnabas supplied the needs of the poor (Acts 4:36-37)
3. Barnabas and Paul collecting for relief efforts from the famine in Judea (Acts 11:27-30) and Corinth (II Corinthians 8-9).
4. Paul was committed to "remembering the poor" (Galatians 2:7-10).
We are to look after orphans and widows in their distress (Luke 3:7-11), and we are told that true repentance is evidenced in sharing food and sustenance with the poor. Selfless giving is honored and blessed (Luke 6:38 and II Corinthians 9:6-8); a sign of genuine faith (James 2:14-17).
God Himself is a cheerful giver and promises to repay any kindness shown to His children with abundance and blessing. Proverbs 14:21 tells us we will be happy if we are kind and generous to the poor. In Psalm 41:1-2 we read, "How blessed is he who considers the helpless; the Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble. The Lord will protect him, and keep him alive, and he shall be called blessed upon the earth." Proverbs 11:25 states, "The generous man will be prosperous and he who waters will himself be watered."
What's the difference between the stuff above and government support? II Thessalonians 3:6-12 talks about only feeding someone if they work. What about care for widows? Well, do you know what the Bible says about widows who deserve help from the church? They have to meet a number of wickets:
(I stole this from some
online sites dealing with this)
• Desolate - I Timothy 5:5 (No living husband, children, nephews etc.).
• Over 60 years old - I Timothy 5:9.
• Never been divorced - I Timothy 5:9.
• Well reported of having done good works for others - I Timothy 5:10.
• Brought up her children - I Timothy 5:10.
• Lodged strangers - I Timothy 5:10.
• Washed feet, humbly served others - I Timothy 5:10.
• Relieved the afflicted - I Timothy 5:10.
• Followed every good work - I Timothy 5:10.
No one is saying to let these people starve and suffer. What I'm saying is that no one pushing for this "health care for everyone" and putting up a proverb quote should be asking the government to do a darn thing--they should be looking after people themselves. Have the doctors in their church put on free clinics. Have the nurses in the church help with baby checkups. Have some of the widows make meals. Pay to send guys to trade schools. Have contractors in the church hire poor people and teach them a job. Instead of giving away cash to buy food, give them a fishing pole. Create community gardens. Whatever.
Just don't give me this "you're not a good Christian unless you support the gov't going another 1T into debt to do things people should be doing themselves or getting help with from their family, friends or community"
