Is public assistance a mortal sin?

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dizzy_dave

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I’m a married man, early 30’s with 4 kids. My wife is a stay at home mom with some health problems, nothing major. We receive food stamps, medical card for kids, utility help, WIC. I make about $25,000 before taxes a year, we own our own home (28 years to go).
I’ve always felt guilty about this, am I right in participating in these programs? We could not get by otherwise, I’d have to work full 2 full time jobs. We are pretty strict Catholics (we don’t use birth control, etc.) but kids are expensive, we are starting NFP (it’s confusing), I feel like if we keep having kids we’ll never get off this help. My wife says as long as we qualify financially it’s ok, and we do, but I see so many worse off than us. I have no skills at all so I can’t get a better job, I can’t afford college, and if I get another (2nd) job my family life will suffer, if my wife gets a job our family life suffers, we lose our assistance and need day care so there goes any extra income. I’m sorry I got away from my original question. Is it a sin to get this help, even if we qualify for it?
 
personally I pay taxes in Ohio for part of the year, and I pay them precisely so families like yours, hard working and struggling, can have the help they need. whoever has been putting these thoughts in your head needs a kick in the can.
 
Dave,

As long as you are doing the best you can, there is no problem with accepting help to get by. I would suggest, however, that you look into the possiblity of a low-cost college (here in California we have community colleges that are 1st and 2nd year). NFP is not confusing if taught correctly, and works well to help one regulate family size.

Deacon Ed
 
It would be irresponsible NOT to accept help. But Deacon Ed has a good point - perhaps some affordable education would help you to earn more money at some point. Perhaps you could search online for a free career aptitude test, which would point you in a direction for some training and greater career success.

Betsy
 
Remember that Jesus said, “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s”. This applies towards accepting public assistance if you need it.

I am now physically handicapped and on SSDI to survive. Do I like it? Not particularly. Has it helped? Yes. Did I pay into the system while I was working? Yes, big time. Am I honest about my needs (i.e. not cheating the system)? Yes. Do I have any obligation to use any legitimate means to provide for my wife & I? Yes.
 
T.A.Stobie:
Remember that Jesus said, “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s”. This applies towards accepting public assistance if you need it.

I am now physically handicapped and on SSDI to survive. Do I like it? Not particularly. Has it helped? Yes. Did I pay into the system while I was working? Yes, big time. Am I honest about my needs (i.e. not cheating the system)? Yes. Do I have any obligation to use any legitimate means to provide for my wife & I? Yes.
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Thank you so much everybody. Please keep talking. I’ve been out of work for awhile (also with a family). Maybe I have the wrong understanding of 1 Timothy 5:8 “And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

I would never want to take a dime from any Church. And I am quite reluctant to get food stamps or public assistance. My mom has helped. And I recently see that I should perhaps be asking Saints Mary and Joseph for their help.
 
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jmm08:
Maybe I have the wrong understanding of 1 Timothy 5:8 “And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
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Actively looking for a job is work in and of itself. I assume you’re not lounging on the couch eating bonbons all day, but that you’re looking for work. As long as you’re doing your best to provide for your family, there is no moral problem. You will find work in God’s good time. I believe this verse applies to people who REFUSE to work, not to those whose search for employment has not yet been fruitful.

But do pray especially to St. Joseph, the patron saint of work.

Betsy
 
Betsy - I think he is working according to his post, just not earning enough to make ends meet.

I don’t think it is a sin, mortal or otherwise, to accept assistance when it is needed.

Unfortunately there are others who abuse assistance, never work or try to find work, sell their food stamps for drugs, etc. etc. So abusing the system might be sinful but not utilizing it for the purposes intended.

In an ideal world, we would take care of our own through our Churches etc. But since people are not as generous as they might be the government is doing it for us through our taxes. This of course is costing us much more than if we would do it ourselves - but until man becomes more merciful and charitable, I guess we are stuck with the current system.
 
Public assistance is not even a venial sin. :nope: There are times in life that we are to extend charity to others AND times in our life that we are to accept charity form others. :yup:

God created us as social beings not islands, there are special graces in humbly accepting help from others, when needed. What is sinful is refusing charity, due to pride, when it is needed. When we are needy, and accept graciously, we are giving others a chance to show their love for God. And when we have the opurtunity to give to others, we need to do so, even if it only a thank you.:bounce:

P.S.: If receiving assistance was sinful, so too would giving assistance.

May our Lord Jesus Christ, bless you and your family, now and always and forever.

:blessyou:
 
Remember it is an act of love to ask for help when you need it.

You can serve by being served (when you need it).
 
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deogratias:
Betsy - I think he is working according to his post, just not earning enough to make ends meet.
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Dizzy Dave, the original poster, is working. The poster jmm08 is currently unemployed. I was addressing him in my last post. Thanks for the opportunity to clarify.

Betsy
 
Dizzy Dave, you have given me new hope! Your family is exactly the type that deserves assistance. When you say you have “no skills at all,” remember that employers like me spend thousands of dollars a year on seminars where we are told, “Don’t make the mistake of hiring for skills and trying to train for attitude. Hire for attitude and then train for skills!” Show that good attitude, and if you can find some training that makes you more marketable, go for it!
 
Also remember that we find the Christian Community in the Book of Acts supporting one another. When one member suffers all members suffer, when one meber rejoyces all members rejoyce. The Needs of all were met by all, no one was found wanting.
 
Bro. Rich–That is exactly what I was thinking as I was reading through the posts on this thread.
 
If the law says we are to render unto Caesar, we gotta render unto Caesar.

If the law says that Caesar is to render unto us, then Caesar can render unto us.

What’s the sin with that? Jesus said we are to listen to the law (unless it disagrees with God’s law)

I’m still trying to figure out how this would violate God’s law. In fact, didn’t the earliest Christians keep funds available for widows and orphans, and the poor so they could be helped?

So it is not the Church doing the helping. It is a secular government. Big deal. Good things are still good.
 
Br. Rich SFO:
Also remember that we find the Christian Community in the Book of Acts supporting one another. When one member suffers all members suffer, when one meber rejoyces all members rejoyce. The Needs of all were met by all, no one was found wanting.
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Thats member and rejoice. I can’t believe those went by and I didn’t notice them.
 
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