Yesterday, as part of my usual iPhone surfing, I checked the news on the NYTimes App. There was an article about Glenn Beck’s rally at the Lincoln Memorial. Now, I usually don’t get upset by the ultra-conservatives, and I know that their views of “Christianity” are much different from mine, but this time a quote really got my blood boiling:
Becky Benson, 56, traveled from Orlando, Florida, because, she said, “we believe in Jesus Christ,” and Jesus, she said, would not have agreed with the economic stimulus package, bank bailouts and welfare. “You cannot sit and expect someone to hand out to you,” she said. “You don’t spend your way out of debt.”
How could anyone say that Jesus would not support helping the less fortunate?
I was still upset about it this morning, and even spoke with my priest about it after church today: “What can someone like me do to let others know that these people don’t speak for all Christians?”
I decided to write a letter to the editor. We will see if they publish it – the odds are miniscule. If they don’t, I will post it here. I used the allotted 150 words to point out specific Bible versus where Jesus promotes the idea of giving “handouts” to the poor:
“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor.” Matthew 19:21; Mark 17:21;Luke 18:22.
“Sell your possessions, and give alms.” Luke 12:31
Then there’s
Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s
where Jesus pretty much says “Politics? Leave me out of it!”
I don’t like it when anyone claims to be doing “what God wants,” but if there is any litmus test for God’s approval, it would have to be LOVE, and I don’t feel a whole lot of love from people who don’t think that we should help those who are less fortunate. I’m not saying that I agree with the details any of the recent government programs, but Jesus made it pretty clear that we should feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome strangers and visit prisoners. (Matthew 25: 31-46).
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Thank you for this thought provoking post. I hate when God is used in politics as well, and when christians are made to look bad. while it is true Jesus said to help the poor and needy, it’s also very clear in many scriptures that if you don’t work you don’t eat 2 Thessalonians 3;10 (proverbs 13:4, 10:4). We are called to be diligent and good stewards of our money, and spending when we have nothing to spend is not being diligent. I think there’s a fine line. I am not for handing welfare to individuals who are abusing the program, and in my opinion it’s a form of slavery. We are in no way helping them get back on their feet (I can’t speak for all of those on welfare). It is true, spending more money will not get us out of debt. God clearly states that known of us should be slave to a lender (Pslam 37:21, Proverbs 22:7, romans 13:8). Debt is not a biblical go ahead. We give, but we don’t give until the point of racking up debt. We give until we have never, yes he calls us to do that, but nothing is not borrowing from others to give me, that becomes a slave to the lender, which our government is doing. There are times we can’t give, and I don’t think God is made about that. I always pray before I give to someone on the street asking for money, and most times I buy them a meal, so I know they are not wasting the money foolishly. God leads my giving. I hate seeing people struggling, and there’s a difference between them who are trying and struggling and those who only want handouts.
I hope I am not being offensive in anyway, just trying to understand the other side.