Acts 15:29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things
I think there’s been only one other time when I’ve been political on this blog. But, to be honest, if there’s one thing I love discussing – it’s politics. Quite frankly, the political arena is truly a battleground that I’ve tried to avoid on the blog. That’s because I will probably make more enemies than I would friends. I don’t know if I could describe my beliefs by simply categorizing myself as a democrat, republican, libertarian, green party, or tea party. Let’s ask ourselves, who doesn’t believe in fiscal conservatism? Who doesn’t believe in liberty and privacy? Who doesn’t believe in being stewards of the earth? Who doesn’t believe in taking care of the poor? And who isn’t frustrated with government red tape?
I’m not here to tell you to vote for one party or the other. Quite frankly, I see one party taking us off the cliff on high-speed rail, and the other party taking us in the same exact direction, but in a locomotive.
I was thinking to myself the other day, that if I were to run for political office, could I really get very far while trying to practice biblical principles? I’m not saying that I’m trying to force religious rituals upon people such as prayer in public schools, and ten commandments in government buildings, etc. I’m just saying can I be honest and sincere, always placing God in the forefront of the decisions I would make as a politician? I don’t know about you, but I would find it shocking if there was proof of a single politician in the three branches that wakes up every morning and seeks God in prayer and word. I just find it hard to believe that.
I’m saying all this to explain that i’m not a brainwashed drone marching the tune of a certain political party. My number one agenda is the glorification of God. That is all.
Many people would look at my headline and pin me as a cold-hearted, evil person who just wants to see old people and babies die in the cold of winter. Just because I am against government-run social welfare, does not mean that I don’t place that responsibility upon the shoulders of a separate ‘organization’. The ‘organization’ I’m referring to is the Church.
What does the Bible Say?
I’m not sure where some of you get the idea that it’s the government’s responsibility to care for these social issues? Have you not read the bible? Are you that ignorant? The obvious response is that somebody has to do it if the Church doesn’t. So just let God’s people off the hook that easy? We’ve given up that battle and gave the responsibility to the Government. I bet some of you even are angry about how the Church spends their money and also both ranting about how the Government needs to also be in charge of social welfare.
I don’t know how you can be mad at both the Church and the government for not helping the poor? Well, make up your mind! Whose job is it to take care of the poor, please decide. Either be mad at the government or be mad at the Church. Don’t just make your decision based on Freudian or Keynesian economics. We deserve sound, biblical logic.
You can read example after example in scripture about whose responsibility social welfare falls upon. The biggest mistake isn’t the fact that you don’t realize that the Church is responsible for social welfare, but the fact that you don’t realize how you destroy God’s reputation.
Can Matthew 10:42 make it any clear about taking care of the poor and how it can be a form of evangelism? Do you want to give a cup of cold water in the name of the government or would you like to provide water in the name of Jesus?
Are We Worshipping little ‘g’ or big ‘G’?
It’s obvious to me that this nation looks to the little ‘g’ (government) to serve its needs and ignores the big “G”. Our society no longer has a need to hear stories about the living bread or everlasting water if there is no bread and water at the Master’s table.
Now, the poor and hungry are seeking the food and provision found at the tables of other gods.
Some believers out there are crying out at the government for their over-involvement in social affairs and yet you are satisfied with the under-involvement within our Church. Better yet, you are crying for more donations in the offering plates, and more spending by the Church. You make me want to vomit even more. You have lusted after the riches of this world, and probably the only reason why you cry against the government is because it is getting all the credit for helping others instead of the Church.
How dare you hate social, government welfare and yet be satisfied with the mere pennies that leave the coffers of the Church. You are the one that has brought higher taxes, fraud, Godlessness, and laziness to our society.
There is a reason why the apostles pleaded with the people to not eat the food offered to idols. Was the food different? Was it poisoned? Was God going to be mad if they ate it? I think we all know the answer is, No. But what kind of testimony would it be if believers were seeking basic necessities apart from the Church? If I believed the love of God was upon the Church and yet sought out food offered at another table, wouldn’t you consider me a hypocrite?
Obviously, the people who were eating meat sacrificed to false gods were poor and needed some sort of relief. From what I’ve read elsewhere, this food was given at a reduced price. It’s not that the apostles wanted the poor to starve or pay full price for their food. It’s not that they wanted to push old people off the cliff. It’s not that they harbored animosity towards ‘underprivileged’ people. It was a decision that was made based on principle.
What do you think? Can social welfare run by the government instead of God’s people hurt or help God’s cause?