Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Ephesians 4:28 (ESV)

Watching political debates is not my idea of a good time – so I don’t tune in. But, like everyone else, I am seeing snippets of what was said in articles here and there.

So far, a short list of what the presidential wannabes want to give away includes: College tuition (Bernie Sanders), health care which includes abortions (Bernie Sanders), child care (Elizabeth Warren), and a “basic income” (Pete Buttigieg, the same man who, in April told a group of college students, “I have a hard time getting my head around the idea of a majority who earn less because they didn’t go to college subsidizing a minority who earn more because they did.”) https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-free-college-pitfalls-20190607-story.html https://www.economist.com/united-states/2019/06/08/democratic-presidential-candidates-are-making-promises-they-cannot-deliver

It is interesting that in a nation with an existing debt of about $22 Trillion, any candidate can pretend that we can afford to “give away” anything. Any thinking person has to recognize that the tax bill for the individual citizen rises with each promise.

The Bible is clear about the evil of debt (Proverbs 22:7). It is also clear that if a man wants to eat, he must work (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Even health care is a church responsibility if there is a need above a families ability to pay, not the government’s (Ephesians 4:28; Titus 3:14).

Truly, in all it wants to “give” to the people of this nation, our government has ignored the Word of God and attempted to replace God and His people, taking on the responsibilities He left us.

We cannot fix this problem on a large scale. But, down here, where we live day by day, we need to adopt biblical thinking. Are we teaching Ephesians 4:28 to our children or students?

• Do most Christian young people know that working for money is more honorable to God than accepting “forgiveness” for loans we took on by choice? (Or, better still, not to take the loans.) 

• Are we teaching them, from a young age, that food is not free but must be worked for (either on the farm or from the store)?

• Do people understand that a man who does not work is not going to be satisfied by a check from the state? He may take it and even brag about it, but it will not bring any delight. Man is made to work.

• And, if anyone would steal, he should stop (Ephesians 4:28 top). “So he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Even the poorest may not steal.)

We must teach and we must model. Does the next generation see us offer to help others in need? Do they hear that the churches are helping families with financial issues? Or, do they hear that the church sent someone to get welfare and food stamps?

I fear that we do not feel personally responsible to help others, even if we are working with our own hands, doing honest labor so we could help someone in need. We pay so much in taxes that it is difficult not to feel like we should point others to the state as a source of salvation from financial disaster.

If those in need go to the state for financial salvation, will they see there the goodness of the Lord? No. His generosity and compassion are displayed in and through the Church. Seeing that, they may look there for their spiritual salvation.