Government “Giving”

 

 

Now this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease but did not aid the poor and  needy. Ezekiel 16:49

This verse (top) is what God’s Word says about the city of Sodom.  Does it not describe our nation, too?

Usually when we hear about Sodom, we think (and hear) about sexual sin. It was a big part of Sodom’s trouble with God. That gives most of us a sense of security as we live with the spouses of our youth. Genesis 13:13 says, “Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.” It’s easy to think, “I’m not like the people of Sodom.” Are we, though?

I recently came across the verse at the top, Ezekiel 16:49. In the NIV the description is that they were “arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned.” These words hit home for me.

I want for nothing in life, not food, clothing, warmth, or even affection. I can overeat anytime! Many, many people in this world, in my own county, cannot say that. What am I doing about that?  Clearly, not enough.

I fear for us as a nation, and even in our churches, that we have become complacent.  We have let our political leaders convince us that taking care of the poor and needy is government work.  They can get welfare, they can have food stamps and live in housing projects. We just don’t need to be worried about them.

What does God say?  He judged Sodom for their sin.  He called them wicked – partly because they failed to help the poor and needy.  “Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven (Genesis 19:24).” It looks to me like God takes helping the poor and needy as seriously as He does sexual sin.

In Paul’s letters he often addressed the churches, suggesting they give to the poor and sometimes, delivering it himself.  He suggested it would overflow in Thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 9:11). This thanksgiving comes from the giver and well as the receiver.

The government is only concerned with people’s feeling of obligation to them. There is no overflow of thanksgiving for God’s provision when taxpayers foot the bill, and the receiver just finds the money automatically deposited on the 1^st of every month. No need to thank anyone. And, the church is off the hook to do her job.

There is no joy in the offering when it is compulsory (in the form of taxation).  We certainly have no opportunity to point to the source of the giving, the Lord Jesus himself, who gives us all we have (Acts 17:25).

We are living in our own time of  guilt because of our “prosperous ease.” It shows in our general lack of concern for the poor and needy, the orphan and the widow. It even shows in the judgment of God in our candidates for President!

We know many are needy and yet, uncared for by government programs. Among those who are on the government rolls, do they need more than a bank deposit every month? Will you and I, as representatives of Christ, seek out the deserving poor and generously give?