We seem to live in an entitled world. We caused this happen. It was not always this way. People took responsibility for their own lives. They helped each other when they realized a need. They would help anyone who would work if he could. They would help the farmers who did not have enough because of a failed crop. They would help anyone who wanted to better himself. We have left that concept far behind.
Do people do what you reward and fail to do what you punish? I think so. Are we headed for a disaster if we continue to reward people who have made bad decisions by taking from those who have made good decisions?
Many people think that helping others without regard to their willingness to work is Christian. They will abdicate their own responsibility by saying, "I just give it to them. What they do with it is not my responsibility." What a crock!
The Bible says that those who do not work should not eat. The only way you can determine if someone will not work is by taking responsibility in determining they will not work. You must accept this responsibility because it is just as wrong to refuse those who need help but will work.
Many years ago I served at a church with windows that went all the way to the ground level. We would give a bucket of water and a long squeegy to anyone who came by for financial help We would pay them (this was in the 80's) $10 per hour to clean the windows. They did not have to get on any ladders or take any risks. The work was not hard. After thirty minutes we would retrieve our bucket and squeegy. (Once they were stolen.) (This is no longer possible. The government determines that anyone who works for a wage is an employee. They must be included in your workman's compensation insurance and you must pay the employer's portion of social security. )
At one church we asked people to take a drug test before we helped them. We went to a drug testing center which was located a few hundred yards from the church. We got forms and made an agreement to pay for the drug testing of anyone we sent to them. We gave those forms to those who came by for assistance. Not one of them ever got tested.
At yet another church we had the police come by and tell us that those who hold signs at busy intersections claiming to be hungry with large families make $200 to $500 per day. They said that these people would never get jobs making money like this tax free. The police were telling us not to support them.
Yes, there are people who are willing to work but need help. We need to help them. My problem is that by helping those who could work but don't prevents us from truly being able to help those who really need help. The more we have helped those who can work, the less we are able to help those who can't.
What do you think? Do you think it is real Christian compassion to support bad behavior?
2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NASB)
For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat.
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