elected4ever
New member
cattyfan
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Post #38 of 38
quote:
Originally posted by Mr. 5020
A welfare agent to the world, no, not at all. We are directed to take care of the body of Christ (1Tim. 5:8). Also, we are instructed to take care of those who can't take care of themselves, such as widows (1 Tim. 5:3,5).
the original question was, "Does the Bible teach socialism." No one has really addresed this directly.
The answer is no. Nowhere does the Word of God advocate redistribution of everything so that everyone has an equal share whether they worked for it or not.
We are instructed to care for those who cannot care for themselves. This does not include welfare handouts to those who are too lazy to work or those who are choosing to cheat the system. There is no reason that instruction can't include supporting goverment agencies designed to help those who are truly in need.
And there are many ways to define help. The best way to help the single mother with 6 children fathered bv 6 different men may not be to pay all her bills. The best way to help her may be to better educate her about respecting herself, about sex and abstinence, and in some trade or area so she can support herself and her children rather than expecting the state or church to pay her way.
The best way to help a drug addict may be to get them into rehab, not cover their bills so they can use any other money they get to by more drugs.
And sometimes the best way to help is to let people make mistakes and learn from them, not to bail them out at the first sign of failure...a sure way to make them feel useless and create someone who depends on and expects others to take care of all their needs without them having to contribute.
Every church I have ever belonged to did its share of fund-raising for charities, quilt making for the poor, collecting food for pantries, collecting clothing...all of which has benefitted people in this country and abroad. Every church I've ever belonged to donated money collected each week from the offeratory to organizations in this country and abroad which help those in need, including mission work so that the assistance comes with the Word of God, the best thing you can give to someone else. Every church I've ever belonged to had resources on site so if someone comes begging, help is available.
The churches, on the whole, do a great job of providing assistance and guidance to those who have need, but they should not be expected to support those who are capable of supporting themselves, and socialism is certainly not what they have been charged to do.
:first:
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Post #38 of 38
quote:
Originally posted by Mr. 5020
A welfare agent to the world, no, not at all. We are directed to take care of the body of Christ (1Tim. 5:8). Also, we are instructed to take care of those who can't take care of themselves, such as widows (1 Tim. 5:3,5).
the original question was, "Does the Bible teach socialism." No one has really addresed this directly.
The answer is no. Nowhere does the Word of God advocate redistribution of everything so that everyone has an equal share whether they worked for it or not.
We are instructed to care for those who cannot care for themselves. This does not include welfare handouts to those who are too lazy to work or those who are choosing to cheat the system. There is no reason that instruction can't include supporting goverment agencies designed to help those who are truly in need.
And there are many ways to define help. The best way to help the single mother with 6 children fathered bv 6 different men may not be to pay all her bills. The best way to help her may be to better educate her about respecting herself, about sex and abstinence, and in some trade or area so she can support herself and her children rather than expecting the state or church to pay her way.
The best way to help a drug addict may be to get them into rehab, not cover their bills so they can use any other money they get to by more drugs.
And sometimes the best way to help is to let people make mistakes and learn from them, not to bail them out at the first sign of failure...a sure way to make them feel useless and create someone who depends on and expects others to take care of all their needs without them having to contribute.
Every church I have ever belonged to did its share of fund-raising for charities, quilt making for the poor, collecting food for pantries, collecting clothing...all of which has benefitted people in this country and abroad. Every church I've ever belonged to donated money collected each week from the offeratory to organizations in this country and abroad which help those in need, including mission work so that the assistance comes with the Word of God, the best thing you can give to someone else. Every church I've ever belonged to had resources on site so if someone comes begging, help is available.
The churches, on the whole, do a great job of providing assistance and guidance to those who have need, but they should not be expected to support those who are capable of supporting themselves, and socialism is certainly not what they have been charged to do.
:first:
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