Can’t Support Them to Prosperity

Scripture References: Deuteronomy 15:4, 11; 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13

America spent three hundred billion dollars to wage and win World War II. In 1992, the U.S. Congress spent three hundred six billion on welfare, trying to support people out of poverty. We have lost this war; poverty remains intractable precisely because government cannot spend people to prosperity. After spending five trillion dollars in a thirty-year war on poverty, the Census Bureau lists thirty-seven million as poor—though some of the statistics are certainly skewed. (Nearly 40 percent of the poor own their own home, worth $50,000; three-fourths of a million poor own homes worth more than $100,000.)

The government cannot pay our way out of poverty. By example and teaching, Scripture solidly backs the concept of labor equals capital, both economically and spiritually. Where people can, God expects them to earn their own living. Jesus made the principle equally distinct in discipleship. The master gave talents to be used while he traveled. The apostles worked at their tasks and taught their congregations to engage in honest labor. The Christian who hopes for an eternal reward but will not presently serve the Master’s cause, should take heed: God is not Uncle Sam, and the Trinity is not Congress.

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley © 1995 by Word, Incorporated.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.