Caring for the poor

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lemuel
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I agree that Jesus told us to obey the law. I don’t have a problem with that.

Now would you care to answer the question?
 
Someone posted a scripture where Jesus said we should force others to care for the poor? I guess I didn’t see it.
 
Lemuel said:
Someone posted a scripture where Jesus said we should force others to care for the poor? I guess I didn’t see it.
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You really have to distort things to keep this going? Too bad, bye.
 
Jesus never said “I force you” to do anything.

But paying taxes is different, and Jesus commanded we render under to the state what is due to the state, especially considering the state can indeed serve the common good.
 
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It was a simple question. What’s distorted about asking for clarification?
 
I answered your question, sir.

Jesus never FORCES us to do anything.

Has no bearing on whether or not we ought to pay taxes.

We ought to pay taxes to help the poor, per multiple biblical principles and church teaching.
 
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I never said he did. I agree that he didn’t. Now could you take a swing at my question?
 
Lemuel said:
BTW, there’s no such thing as constitutional rights. My rights come from God, not from a piece of paper.
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BTW, without the Constitution, you’d have nothing to protect those rights. Please, feel free to go live in a country without those protections (as I have), and see how blissful it isn’t.
Lemuel said:
As far as complaining goes, those who voluntarily participate in a corrupt game are morally bound to accept the outcome of the game they participated in. Those who refused to participate are in the best position to complain as we did not agree to it in the first place.
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LOL. Sure. Please feel free to believe as you wish while I vote and take care of those who protect our Constitutional rights - which we DO have.

I’m out.
 
I never said he did. I agree that he didn’t. Now could you take a swing at my question?
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I have issue with the language of “force.”

I think it is wrong for me to go up you, personally, and command you to do anything, because I have no authority over you.

However, living in society means we have obligations as a society.

Do you think it is wrong for the state to “force” you to stop at a stop sign?

What do you mean by “force”?
 
I must have misunderstood when you said you were done. My bad. I agree that the intent of the Constitution is to protect our rights. It doesn’t. But that aside, if I agree that man is the source of my rights then I must accept the notion that man can also take those rights away. I’m more in step with the founders who said that we are endowed by God with certain unalienable rights. I get my rights from God. If you want to continue to fight for your “constitutional” rights, be my guest.
 
Lemuel said:
What’s that got to do with my question?
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Because, if you’re an American typing on their own personal computer with an internet connection that you are able to pay for in a safe and secure building than in reality you’re not living up to the kind of principled life that you suggest is Biblically based. You are literally living a life of such luxury and privilege that you might as well be a king compared to most of the world. Just because you’re more generous and have less than your neighbors doesn’t mean that you aren’t living in opulent wealth compared to most of humanity. If you really, really wanted to provide for others you wouldn’t be “wasting” time on a computer. “Your” money should be gone to those who really need it more…yet here you are, living crazy luxury. (again, compared to the world, not the US)

Just taxes are a way pool money and to ensure that money is used justly. We’ve misstepped in both modern and historic times, but that is not a problem with the process.
 
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Well, Christ answered that for us.

I am neither your overseer in the Lord, nor am I your leader or representative in the state.

But Christ said we are to render and obey the former; they have proper authority.

I don’t.
 
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Church teaching, via the Catechism:
Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country.
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Lemuel said:
I don’t vote. Voting is violence.
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Lemuel said:
As far as complaining goes, those who voluntarily participate in a corrupt game are morally bound to accept the outcome of the game they participated in. Those who refused to participate are in the best position to complain as we did not agree to it in the first place.
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While you are hung up on searching for a nonextant scripture, you are openly foresaking your responsibilities to society as set forth in the Catechism. This disregard for the 4th commandment duties of a citizen is your bigger problem here.
2239 It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. The love and service of one’s country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community.

2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country:

Pay to all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.45
[Christians] reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners. . . . They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws. . . . So noble is the position to which God has assigned them that they are not allowed to desert it.46

The Apostle exhorts us to offer prayers and thanksgiving for kings and all who exercise authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way."47
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