United or Divided

[tonyg]

Seems everyone is struggling today; many are out of work with little hope of finding a job. As a middle class Christian adult, I am wondering if all of the social welfare programs have added to the distress in our society. The middle class works hard, pays their taxes, and does its best to help those in need. Yet, we are being squeezed from all sides. Our Government has spent trillions of dollars bailing out the wealthiest and most powerful among us, and we, the middle class, are footing the bill.
Then we are faced with the burden of all these unhealthy social welfare programs; yes, unhealthy. Jesus said, “The poor will always be with you,” and so they are. But, these programs create dependence from many that are able to contribute to society. They encourage laziness, and have the ability to steal a persons self worth and dignity. Creating dependence among its citizens is certainly not the American way. Creating jobs for all those that are capable to work however, is what this great nation is all about. This country will never regain its greatness until we, the people, work together as one. Dividing the people though programs of dependence, will continue to separate us rather than unite us; and those in power are well aware of this. A people united, is a troubling thought to a Government trying its best to keep it divided.

 

[Newbie2]

If we didn’t have corruption or greed, on all levels, the social welfare programs would likely work more like what Jesus might have designed.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

If we didn’t have corruption or greed, on all levels, the social welfare programs would likely work more like what Jesus might have designed.

No, that is the Church’s place. Not the government’s. The government should be out of the social ministry business since that is not its place. Corruption, yes, there is corruption. Greed? Maybe. What I see is a desire to keep people dependent and therefore enslaved to the people to provide the welfare. Taking without working kills the spirit. It has also destroyed families, especially those of black Americans. When you decide to pay single moms MORE than you pay a family, you encourage the fathers to leave. Exactly what has happened.

 

[Newbie2]

Well, I didn’t specify exactly how such a program might work. Perhaps the church and government would work together in such an ideal scenario.

Why do you think the government would be excluded in social welfare? Not that the Church would direct the government’s social welfare efforts, but could not the Church use the government mechanisms already in place to positive, real social welfare?

Where does the Church say government should be excluded?

 

[TheRealJuliane]

The form of government that we have in this country is supposed to allow people the individual freedom to help others, by keeping more of their resources to distribute as they wish. And God’s people then tithe to their churches, and help out more with time and talent as well. Churches are less likely to engage in politics when helping others, and our Church in particular, since our religious take vows of poverty.

It would be dangerous for any church to work directly with any government, since the motivations are coming from different directions. Churches are tax-exempt organizations at present, which means they have certain freedoms and certain restrictions placed on them.

Of course there are Christians working within the government, and thank God for it. I DO NOT mean false and morally poisoned so-called Catholics like Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, but true Christians who believe that God’s people are called to care of widows and orphans and not ask the government to step into our place and do the job for us.

 

[diggerdomer]

Our Government has spent trillions of dollars bailing out the wealthiest and most powerful among us, .

The Government has also spent (and is spending) trillions of dollars in unjust military actions.

How did we as citizens approve this?