One of the fundamental differences between political parties is how to deal with the issue of poverty. Of course one man’s poverty (America) is another man’s wealth (anywhere else). What we consider as poor in America is unimagined abundance in most other countries. In fact, what the average categorized “Poor American†or an American living “below the poverty line†person in the United States has materially is considered the American Dream for any third world person. Most “Poor Americans†are in that state because of poor past decisions and an unwillingness to take personal responsibility for their actions.
It is time to end the entitlement mentality in America. The Bible clearly teaches:
-
“The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.†(Proverbs 13:4)
Now before I am accused of being heartless and/or stingy (and I will be), let me explain whom we should help of those in need. Better yet, let the Bible do it:
-
“If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.†(2 Thessalonians 3:10b)
That is some plain speaking. No need for clarification there. The Apostle Paul knew that hunger is a great motivator. Now those who cannot work because of injury or illness need to be cared for, not by the government but by the church, neighbors and private organizations.
The real issue in America is that we reward slothfulness, which is antithetical to Biblical teaching. The Bible gives the clear warning of a man’s reward for not be willing to work:
-
“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep—so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.†(Proverbs 6:10-11)
Last night during the debates, Ron Paul came closest to any politician addressing the entitlement mentality in America in response to Wolf Blizter’s “gotcha†question about someone not having healthcare. While I will never vote for Ron Paul because he believes states have the right to determine whether or not they will murder unborn babies, he did take us back to the time when people, not the government, helped those in need.
The entitlement mentality is watered with class warfare and the accusation of greed where none exists. There are greedy people, no doubt, but those in favor of intrusive government and addicting successive generations to the government teat use this to get people to covet the gain of others. Matthew Henry put it this way while commenting on Proverbs 13:4:
-
The slothful desire the gains the diligent get, but hate the pains the diligent take; therefore they have nothing. This is especially true as to the soul.
Pastors who encourage the entitlement mentality as compassion are simply perpetrating the liberal lie of social justice. No where in the Bible will you find the admonishment of the church to support the slothful, much less encouraging government to take from the diligent and give it to the slothful.
It was Almighty God who instituted work. Don’t believe me?
-
“Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.†(Genesis 2:15)
Sounds like work to me! Only 46 verses into the Bible and there is God instituting work for man.
If we want to see revival come to America then we must speak the truth in love, but do so without stammer or stutter standing on the Word of God. That is what true compassion is. A Christian should be charitable, but we must not condone nor enable ungodly behavior.
Let’s get to work!
In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4
If you’re receiving these devotionals for the first time and would like to receive them on a regular basis, please email me at jeffers221@bellsouth.net and use “Please add to Devotional List†as the subject.
-
Copyright © 2011 David Jeffers
