Christ First Forum

by **Jeani** » 18 Jul 2009, 21:51

I think about what is happening to us during this political reign of Obama.

The constant 'borrowing',and having the desire 'to take from one group of Americans to give to another.'

Taking 'health care' from one group of paying Americans to give a majority of those who will not work or pay taxes.

I mention 'majority',and not a 'whole' as to not upset anyone.

Thinking 'medical care' is a 'right',and not a 'privilege.'

In Ex. 20:17, God said:

You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall no covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbors.

I would describe what is happening in America today is exactly 'coveting our neighbors.'

God gave us a beautiful, working model for welfare; but yet, man seems to be coveting to extremes.

The author of Ruth presents a picture of how Israel cared for its own.

Israel, like the U.S., had a welfare system.

But it was one that required responsibility from its recipients and therefore did not destroy the dignity of those who needed it.

The difference is God established the tenets of the system and as we will see, He used it to guide Ruth's life in a very unique way.

The way God provided for their needs of those who were in poverty was gleaning.

Ruth, understanding the poverty in which she and Naomi were living, takes on the responsibility for providing for them.

Learning how it was done in Israel, she commits to going into the fields to get food for them.

Ruth and Naomi had no one to depend on.

They were 'unemployed within the world they lived.'

Ruth was capable of going into the fields to gather the harvest leftovers and therefore to provide for herself and Naomi.

Gleaning is an example of God's welfare.

We read in the Law that the specific of God's 'welfare' program.

When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap the very edges (or four corners) of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.

Leave them for the poor and the alien.

I am the Lord your God...

When you are harvesting in your fields,and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it.

Leave it for the alien, the fatherless,and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time.

Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless,and the widow.

When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again.

Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. (Le. 19:9, 23:23; Dec. 24:19-21)

This system was a working system and it was one in which the community provided for the needs of the poor.

But the poor were expected to work. They were given nothing except the opportunity to earn their own way.

The system was enforced by the government, but keep in mind, this government was essentially a system given and overseen by God.

Our government has provided a welfare system, but frequently it has been a source of creating dependency and taking away self respect.

It has been used to maintain power or to buy votes today by those administrating it instead of being carried out with concern for the recipients.

Welfare is the biblical responsibility of the Christian Church,and not the government's responsibility.

The true purpose is to demonstrate God's love through us.

The effect of sharing with others in need of God's love through us is: a sense of fellowship and belonging; a stronger family unit,and a high standard for work which prohibits laziness.

Government warfare has disastrous effects as we can see. Once the government got involve in social programs...welfare became a political tool.

The effects of government welfare is the opposite of biblical welfare.

The results will be permanent dependence, and poverty.

Our welfare system traps people at the lowest economic level by indiscriminate givings.

It is important to understand that providing for others are not limited to discussing money.

We can give our time and talents, too.

It's the responsibility of believers to care for others. And as we care for each other, the less dependent we are on the world.

God provided for His people, Israel, to care for the needy individuals within the community.

Our community is the Church.

Gleaning: Judges 8:2; Ruth 2:2; Isaiah 17:6; Lev. 19:9; 23:23; Dec 24:19-21.

Church's Fields: Matt 10:8; Acts 6:1; Rom. 12:13; Gal. 6:6-10.

11 Thess 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
***************************

Ask yourself~

How can we do a better job of being aware of the needs of others in the body?

How the church be concerned for the needs, spiritual, emotional and material of those within our local community?

How do we change our government back to God's way of welfare?

By Jeani

by **JWayne** » 18 Jul 2009, 22:17

It is sad isn't it?

by **Remnant** » 19 Jul 2009, 05:57

How do we change our government back to God's way of welfare?

We can't!
But we can change the way we do things as a Church concerning meeting the needs of the less fortunate and needy.
This, I have been preaching almost a lifetime!

The gretest need is they need the bread of life.
For no man shall live by bread alone!

by **januarie** » 19 Jul 2009, 06:19

Very nice write up Jeani. I am copying it to share with a friend.

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