Does Socialism Help The Poor?
I normally don't talk too much about politics on my ministry. But the topic that I am bringing up today requires doing so. The topic I want to address today is how we should be responding to the people around the world in poverty. Many think that a political system, namely socialism, would help the poor and make the world a better place. However, I beg to differ. And I'm about to explain why.
First, there should be no doubt in a Christian's mind that we do need to help the poor any way we can. Jesus says in Mark 14:7 "For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye will do them good: but me ye have not always". There are also several strong verses in Proverbs about how God loves the poor and is offended when we neglect them. But I will read just a couple.
Proverbs 14:31-He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor
Proverbs 17:5-Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished
So as you can see, it pleases God for us to be compassionate to all those in need. That being said however, some people will use the verses about being compassionate to the poor to say that the right thing to do is to support socialism. The theory behind socialism is that the government owns everything and evenly distributes it out to everybody who contributes to society so that no one will starve.
First of all, in my opinion, this just isn't going to work. It seems like in theory it could work if everybody worked and picked up the slack. But there's always going to be someone who is just lazy. Someone who lives off the government and won't get a job because they would rather just stay at home all day every day playing world of warcraft or something.
Secondly, even in theory, I think socialism is a bad system. Socialism makes only the government rich and all of its citizens poor. It strips away individuality and makes every single person dependent on the government for survival. And when the government controls all of its citizens like this, there is no more freedom lest you suffer the consequence of starving to death.
Supposedly helping the poor by being forced to get healthcare for example, regardless of whether or not you can afford it, is not helping anyone. As opposed to giving cheerfully out of your own pocket, this is extortion. If everyone is equally poor, then no one can help anyone individually. Only the government can supposedly help them.
This is why I don't think the United States should become a socialist country. That being said, I know that capitalism isn't a perfect system either. In fact no system is perfect and there will always be corrupt people. I don't think Jesus would have endorsed any of these systems, because Jesus is God in flesh, and is bigger than our earthly problems. I would be lying if I said I didn't wish that we had the ability to help everybody. But the only way we could do that is if we all followed the Bible's commandments on helping the needy. Including our politicians in the government. Sadly, none of us have followed the Bible perfectly. Myself included. We are sinful people in a sinful world, and it's our sins that lead to suffering around the world.
So, that's one of my many of my political opinions according to the Bible. The message to take away here is that we need to follow God's commandments better to not only please God, but to make the world a better place. So, pray for the needy that they will be helped and also pray for an opportunity to serve the needy rather than hoping the government will do it for you. God bless, everyone!
First, there should be no doubt in a Christian's mind that we do need to help the poor any way we can. Jesus says in Mark 14:7 "For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye will do them good: but me ye have not always". There are also several strong verses in Proverbs about how God loves the poor and is offended when we neglect them. But I will read just a couple.
Proverbs 14:31-He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor
Proverbs 17:5-Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished
So as you can see, it pleases God for us to be compassionate to all those in need. That being said however, some people will use the verses about being compassionate to the poor to say that the right thing to do is to support socialism. The theory behind socialism is that the government owns everything and evenly distributes it out to everybody who contributes to society so that no one will starve.
First of all, in my opinion, this just isn't going to work. It seems like in theory it could work if everybody worked and picked up the slack. But there's always going to be someone who is just lazy. Someone who lives off the government and won't get a job because they would rather just stay at home all day every day playing world of warcraft or something.
Secondly, even in theory, I think socialism is a bad system. Socialism makes only the government rich and all of its citizens poor. It strips away individuality and makes every single person dependent on the government for survival. And when the government controls all of its citizens like this, there is no more freedom lest you suffer the consequence of starving to death.
Supposedly helping the poor by being forced to get healthcare for example, regardless of whether or not you can afford it, is not helping anyone. As opposed to giving cheerfully out of your own pocket, this is extortion. If everyone is equally poor, then no one can help anyone individually. Only the government can supposedly help them.
This is why I don't think the United States should become a socialist country. That being said, I know that capitalism isn't a perfect system either. In fact no system is perfect and there will always be corrupt people. I don't think Jesus would have endorsed any of these systems, because Jesus is God in flesh, and is bigger than our earthly problems. I would be lying if I said I didn't wish that we had the ability to help everybody. But the only way we could do that is if we all followed the Bible's commandments on helping the needy. Including our politicians in the government. Sadly, none of us have followed the Bible perfectly. Myself included. We are sinful people in a sinful world, and it's our sins that lead to suffering around the world.
So, that's one of my many of my political opinions according to the Bible. The message to take away here is that we need to follow God's commandments better to not only please God, but to make the world a better place. So, pray for the needy that they will be helped and also pray for an opportunity to serve the needy rather than hoping the government will do it for you. God bless, everyone!
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