Home foreclosures, auto repossessions, workforce cutbacks, bank collapses, 401(k) losses. As a comedian used to say — \u201cIs that all that\u2019s troubling you, cousin?\u201d But no one is really laughing.<\/p>\n
Current economic conditions and the lack of employment opportunities in our country now have created many needy families. Although two parents may be present in these families, the main breadwinner has lost his or her job.<\/p>\n
What can churches and friends do for these folks who suddenly find themselves without enough income to pay current bills, let alone maintain their current living standard?<\/p>\n
Of course, we could say that there are unemployment benefits and even welfare to help folks like this — but is that how those of us who are believers should respond to real needs?<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, government welfare has developed many families who live in permanent poverty, and because of this some Christians either resent or are indifferent to the real poor.<\/p>\n
Caring for the poor — the truly needy — is biblical and necessary. The fact that the government may have assumed that function does not cancel the responsibility of the church.<\/p>\n
Besides, the motivation of government welfare is not necessarily love; rather, it is pity or guilt. With what may be intended for good, government welfare systems trap people at the lowest economic level with indiscriminate handouts. To qualify for support, most recipients must show only that they are not working, not that they cannot work — and this system has produced generational welfare.<\/p>\n
The Bible encourages us to provide for others out of love. It is interesting to see the contrasting objectives of biblical care and government welfare. The effects of sharing with others in need, out of God\u2019s love, are threefold.<\/p>\n
First, a sense of fellowship and belonging is created. \u201cYou are enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. Through the proof of this service, they will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others\u201d (2 Corinthians 9:11-13).<\/p>\n
Second, stronger family units are built up. \u201cNow if anyone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially for his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever\u201d (1 Timothy 5:8).<\/p>\n
Third, a high standard for work is developed, and this prohibits laziness. \u201cIt is not that we don\u2019t have the right [to support], but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us. In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: \u2018If anyone isn\u2019t willing to work, he should not eat\u2019\u201d (2 Thessalonians 3:9-10).<\/p>\n
Welfare was transferred from the church to the government because the church neglected the responsibility. It can be recovered, and once again the church must become the leader in caring about genuine personal needs. This is not an option from God; it is an imperative. \u201cThe one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses\u201d (Proverbs 28:27).<\/p>\n
However, Scripture also points to several factors that qualify those who should be the recipients of \u201cbiblical welfare\u201d:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Poor — those unable to meet the most basic needs (see Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Proverbs 19:17).<\/p>\n
\u2022 The diligent — many people are lazy by nature and supporting these people is just as unscriptural as not supporting those with legitimate needs (see Proverbs 16:26).<\/p>\n
\u2022 Widow — a qualified widow is biblically defined as a woman 60 years old or older whose only husband has died (see 1 Timothy 5:3-10).<\/p>\n
\u2022 Orphans (see Psalm 82:3; Zechariah 7:10 and others).<\/p>\n
\u2022 Those needing immediate care (see James 2:15-16). They may not qualify as \u201cpoor\u201d or \u201cwidows,\u201d but simply \u201clacking of the daily food\u201d as a result of unemployment or illness.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Lifestyle — Scripture indicates believers should have a moderate lifestyle, but not one of poverty. \u201cIt is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality\u201d (2 Corinthians 8:13).<\/p>\n
Committed Christians should encourage their church leaders to establish a benevolence ministry. A portion of every church\u2019s budget should be designated for needs in the fellowship, in the community and even in other areas of the country.<\/p>\n
Each church should have a resource team to counsel families in need, to determine who does and does not qualify. There should be such an atmosphere of sharing and caring that members feel as free about sharing a financial burden as they would a physical problem.<\/p>\n
Our goal should be that when faced with needs from within the Christian community, we will respond appropriately without relying on government help. After all, realistically, government handouts are not helpful in the long term, and the government welfare well is running dry.<\/p>\n
These suggestions, based on biblical principles, not only inform us of what the church is capable of doing, but what the church must do.<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
[Original illustration at this number was added to HolwickID #7307]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Home foreclosures, auto repossessions, workforce cutbacks, bank collapses, 401(k) losses. As a comedian used to say — \u201cIs that all that\u2019s troubling you, cousin?\u201d But no one is really laughing. Current economic conditions and the lack of employment opportunities in our country now have created many needy families. Although two parents may be present in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[377,562,561,560,559,558,182,557],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.churchedge.com\/illustrations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7815"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.churchedge.com\/illustrations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.churchedge.com\/illustrations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.churchedge.com\/illustrations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.churchedge.com\/illustrations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7815"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.churchedge.com\/illustrations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7815\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.churchedge.com\/illustrations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7815"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.churchedge.com\/illustrations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7815"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.churchedge.com\/illustrations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7815"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}