Some people responded in enthusiastic agreement, others less so. The general consensus was that this kind of attitude is okay for people who are REALLY poor. You know, maybe the war veteran's quadriplegic widow and now single mother of 5. Maybe even the orphaned teen girl living on the streets, I mean she could probably get a job, but we're feeling sympathetic. But that twenty something high-school drop out who just doesn't seem to grasp the concept of birth control? No way. They are obviously lazy worthless drains on the society, milking the system for all they can get, and are in absolutely in no way worthy of MY hard earned money. In fact, I know there's a bible verse that talks about exactly that.
Right?
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18
It is a matter of prejudice. God does not tell us to judge who is poor and who is not, we are simply called to give to those who are in need. We know there are some people who do take advantage of the kindness and charity of others, but they are not the majority. We are also not charged with judging for ourselves who is deserving - we are simply told to give. God will hold others responsible for what they do with the gifts they are given... kind of like us! WE will be held responsible for what we choose to do with the gifts God has given us.
Which brings us to Pride. The idea of it being OUR money is not only prideful, but it's inaccurate. All things belong to God, we have nothing good that has not been given to us. The most important of which being our salvation. Jesus gave us a gift freely - a gift we could never earn. WE are leeches on Gods system of grace, we add nothing of value to him or his kingdom, and the vast majority of us do relatively little to show our gratitude. And yet he DIED for us to give us a free gift of eternal life, simply because he loved us. He is not asking us to die for anyone, he is telling us that if we have more than what we need, to help others do the same. Why do we then feel like we have the right to decide that we're in a position to override that? Because of our selfishness, nevertheless?
This is a national heart issue, and I am guilty of it. I don't mean for this to sound preachy, although I'm sure it does - but this is something that is near and dear to me. We need to get back to the heart of Jesus if we ever hope to serve him here on earth.
"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9
