Why Welfare Isn't Stewardship

“Each man should give what he has in his heart to give, not reluctantly decided or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Recently, with what we in politics used to call the “silly season” upon us, there has been a lot of discussion in the news and among my friends about welfare and entitlement programs.  As some of you already know, I am completely against the welfare system of today because of the old saying “give a man a fish, feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.”  Our system as it currently stands, in my opinion, is heavy on giving away fish and falls far too short on teaching men to fish.  I really do believe that if we spent half of the resources that we spend on giving away fish on teaching people to fish, with clear consequences for those who choose not to fish, this country would have a whole new outlook and out welfare system would be much better at doing what it was originally intended to do – get people back on their feet.

In discussing this point recently, I had someone really try to take me task.  This person went on and on about how we have a responsibility to take care of the poor and needy among us and asked me how anyone who calls himself a Christian pastor could ever be against a program that does so much to help the poor.

So I asked him the obvious question – “how much of your own money do you give to the poor?”  His answer:  “nothing out of my own money.  My tax dollars go to help the poor.”  And then, in another discussion on an ACNA discussion board, another layperson made the statement that disciples should consider part of their tax dollars a tithe, since some of the money goes to help the poor.  Therein lies the real problem. 

Using the government to help the poor may sound good on the surface.  We really should want to help the poor – that should be the noble desire of every Christian disciple.  But to say that giving tax dollars to welfare is good Christian stewardship is false teaching, and it runs completely contrary to the entire concept of Christian stewardship – and I say this for two reasons.  First, Christian giving and taking care of the poor should be done freely and joyfully from a heart totally in love with Jesus Christ.  Second, if it is done under compulsion, then it sends the wrong message that works-based righteousness is acceptable and all I have to do is pay my taxes to be saved.

Paul covers the first point very clearly in 2 Corinthians 9:7.  Each man should give cheerfully and joyfully from a heart in love with and committed to Jesus Christ.  It should never be done reluctantly or under compulsion.  Taxation is compulsory by design, and therefore any consideration that paying taxes is somehow stewardship is completely wrong.  Remember that Jesus said “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:15-22)  Jesus very clearly delineated Christian stewardship from taxes – there is no confusion.  While we should pay our taxes, we should not allow our taxes and our giving – or taking care of the poor – to be confused as if they are the same thing.  Jesus says differently.

The second issue to cover is specifically a salvation issue.  I think the most comprehensive statement of salvation is that “we are saved by grace through a living faith in Jesus Christ.”  I love this definition because it takes into account the absolute need for grace and faith, but also recognizes that a dead faith (faith without works) is no faith at all.  In the words of Bishop Todd Hunter, an ACNA bishop, “salvation cannot be earned, but it does take effort.”  This states two things.  If we say we have faith but have not works, it is a dead faith, as James says, and thus there is no salvation.  On the other hand, if we do works but they are not rooted in faith in Jesus Christ, then these works will not bring about salvation.  If our stewardship, i.e. our taking care of the poor, is not rooted in faith in Jesus Christ and given freely from the heart, then it will not bring about salvation.  Anyone who thinks that paying in to the government will bring about salvation because they are doing a good work is completely missing the boat.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord – voluntarily and joyfully.  We will continue to help the poor, both here in Ridgecrest and throughout the world – not because we are compelled by the government, but because of the love of Jesus in our hearts.  That is our prayer for all people who believe in Jesus Christ.