Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Political Views


How Should the Poor be Treated?

While trying to decide on something to write about I came across some comments from liberals concerning conservatives asserting the (impolite term for the TEA Party) were not following the teaching of Jesus when it came to giving to the poor. Some in government flaunt their extravagance, condemning others of not wanting taxes raised to help the poor, at the same time fail to pay the taxes they owe.  Then tell us that we must all tighten our belts as they golf while on another taxpayer paid vacation.
Liberals some of whom are very wealthy themselves, would they be willing to follow Christ’s example?   Many Christians would rather give to the poor or at least to charities that help the poor directly instead of having the money taken through income tax then distributed among the bureaucratic web of agencies, divvied up among the agency heads then finally to those that are in need.  Talk about trickle-down economics! 
Since the liberals are so quick to point out the right, are not following what Jesus taught, I wonder if they really read what Jesus said, or only a few verses? Oh course I know that many wealthy donate enormous sums of money to help the disadvantaged. How many wealthy people Republican or Democrat do you really believe would follow how Jesus taught to help the poor?  Notice in Luke 12:41-41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites,[j] which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood
Matthew 19:16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good[e] Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good?[
f] No one is good but One, that is, God.[g]But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’[
h] and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”[i]
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth.[
j] What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions
.  
.”   Would liberals be willing to put their money where their mouth is?
Some feel for whatever reason they are entitled to get a share of what belongs to another.  This passage does not indicated the financial status of the man asking Jesus to get his brother do divide the inheritance, only that he wants a share.
In Luke 12: 13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness,[b] for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”     Are the liberals encouraging covetousness?  
How should people treat the poor? Yes, the Bible has plenty to say how we should treat the poor. Far more verses than I could possibly put into one article. But here are a few from Jewish Law  Leviticus 25:34-If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live you. 
Deuteronomy 15:10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which your hand. For the poor will never cease from the land: therefore I command you, saying, “you shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor your needy, in your land.
Deuteronomy 24:14 You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether one of your brethren or the aliens who is in your land within your gates.
I don’t know how many documented fraudulent applications to public assistance exists but checking with different states welfare agencies this does seem to be a problem in excess of a billion dollars per year.   Leviticus 19:11 You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. An you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. While this verse can certainly apply in many cases; falsifying an application for public assistance is theft, and takes away money for those that are truly in need.
I have more to say, but my article would be so long that some people’s attention span isn’t long enough to read that much, I include myself in that by the way. I’d love to hear from you, tell me what you think.



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