Opinions vary on government's role with poverty

   Last week I ended my column with, "So if socialism is ultimately unjust; and if capitalism depends upon man’s greed (as some have characterized it) to succeed, what is a just solution that makes sure that we fulfill the biblical directives to help those in need? "
   The Bible actually has a lot to say regarding poverty. This week I would like to explore at least one biblical angle to address our question and then next week I will expand on it.
   If you have been reading this column regularly, you know that I have been responding to a wonderful man named Ben. Ben has a strong desire to see that the poor are cared for.
   Here are a few comments from Ben with which I think many would agree. Ben laments, "I can't be silent about how I see Christ's compassion for the poor not being met." He points out that, "People need help desperately." So he encourages giving by acknowledging that he has, "no doubt that the believer who tithes and gives to ministry such as SOS [Society of Samaritans] will be rewarded."
   I couldn’t agree more!
   Where Ben and I diverge in our views is on the Federal Government’s role.
   Ben goes on to say, "The income gap continues to grow and the numbers of those in poverty increases. Local churches are limited in what they can do. Donations to charitable organizations fall each year as the economy suffers. Cutting social programs and hoping the most well off of our population will fill the needs is futile. Something has to give."
   He is correct. Something (or someone) indeed has to "give." But I do not think it is the Federal Government’s charge to decide who gives and to whom. This is socialism. And as I mentioned last week, I believe socialism focuses upon an equality of wealth while the Bible’s emphasis is on equality of justice.
   Why do I say that? Look at these verses that were directed at how Israel was to deal with the poor in regards to justice.
   "You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute." (Exodus 23:3)
   "You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty." (Leviticus 19:15)
   It did not matter if you were poor or rich, weak or powerful, you were equal in the sight of justice and were to be treated as such. But equality of wealth was not the goal.
   Still we are to help the poor, the widows and the fatherless. So how?
   First, it is important to distinguish between different causes of poverty. The Bible mentions four, which I believe, demand a different response: slothfulness, calamity, exploitation, and personal sacrifice.
   The Bible addresses, on many occasions, the very real human condition of slothfulness or laziness as a cause for poverty. Scripture also recognizes that many people become poor because of some disaster (or disasters) that have entered their lives. Also, because of the Bible’s focus on justice, it addresses how there many poor people who are exploited by the rich and powerful and do not have fair advocacy in the judicial realm. Then there are those who choose to be poor voluntarily as a result of choosing lifestyles or vocations with little remuneration.
   Each of these requires a different approach for a solution, I believe. But I do think there are some general principles that we can derive from Scripture that will help us.
   First, the chain of responsibility starts with the family. Paul wrote to Timothy saying, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Timothy 5:8)
   Many families are shirking their responsibility to help their own family members and thus allowing them to become dependent upon others. This is both a heart issue and education issue. But much poverty could be dealt with if families shouldered this biblical responsibility. Next week I will explain why this can be very effective.
   Second the Church is called to step in when there is no family to help.
   Some people may agree that the Church should be the avenue to effectively helping the poor. But I think Ben speaks for the majority consensus when he says that the, "bottom line is that since the church can't fully meet the needs then the government is the one with the structures in place to do so."
   I happen to fall into the minority, I believe, regarding this sentiment. Next week, I will discuss more completely how I see the Church being able to "fully meet the needs" and take on this challenge with no socialistic, governmental intervention.


Scot Wall helped found and is the current pastor of Magnolia Bible Church which currently meets in the West Montgomery County Community Development Center. Send comments to ConsiderThis@magnoliabible.org.