When the United States came into being, a self sufficient attitude existed amongst the people that enabled them to rely on the talents and abilities that God had given them to provide for themselves and their families. In the beginning of the nation, there wasn’t a government with hundreds of welfare programs available to hand out benefits. The people didn’t need them since they knew the value of industriousness and diligent work.

As the years paraded by, certain groups pushed for publicly provided benefits but were rebuffed by those much wiser about government handouts. With the election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932, the United States began a march toward a welfare state by using tax money taken from the more affluent for distribution to the less well off.  There isn’t any provision in the Constitution for such transfers of wealth, but that hasn’t stopped the government planners.

As noble as it sounds, it isn’t the job of government to provide for one group at the expense of another which has more means. Scripture addresses the principles of giving that are useful in understanding the subject of welfare and instead of government provided help, the scriptures teach us it is individuals who are to give the aid. Paul wrote to Timothy: [1 Tim 6:17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [1 Tim 6:18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  The instruction is for those with means (note that there isn’t any definition of rich; in Koine Greek it means more or much) to not trust in uncertain material goods; they are to be ready to do good and help those in need (ready to distribute, share). It is up to those who do the giving to determine to whom the aid will be given, and how much and what kind will be needed to meet the necessity. A companion teaching is found in Galatians: [Gal 6:9] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [Gal 6:10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.  All men include believers  and unbelievers alike to which good is to be done.

 The scriptures also have another teaching that is ignored and has created  dependence on the government in a large portion of the populace. Paul’s words to the Thessalonians should be heeded today: [2 Th 3:10] For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should eat. [2 Th 3:11] For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Notice the wording and study it carefully. The words should not eat means that those who won’t work for their daily food shouldn’t expect to eat or be fed. In verse 11, we read that Paul was speaking to the members of the church who weren’t working and were spending their time gossiping. The verse indicates that they were capable of working and chose not to do so. Surely the principles in the verses apply to today as well as they did back then when speaking of the government handing out welfare.

Benevolence has to be voluntary or it becomes an exercise in tyranny instead of liberty. A nation that takes from those with more and gives to those with less are following the dictate of the Communist, Karl Marx, who said, “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs. Marx was speaking of the government making the determination of who had more and who had the most need. The Bible doesn’t teach forced giving and neither does the Constitution. A government that takes from the industrious, to give to the less industrious, will soon make the people lose their hard won freedom and liberty. Limited government that didn’t make provision for the welfare state is a sure sign of the founder’s thinking and their compatriots, who worked to make this nation strong, and reliant on God and industriousness of individuals.

© 02-27-2006 DEC

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