“A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.”
Recently, I heard a guy say that the reason so many government social programs exist is that the church abdicated its responsibility to look after the widow, the orphan, and the poor. A country that claims a Judeo-Christian foundation should certainly understand its responsibility to care for those unable to care for themselves. In a society as large as the United States, it seems to me that the church still has a significant role in caring for these people. God does not let believers off the hook based on what the government does. When Solomon talked about rulers and the impact of their decisions on a nation, he was speaking from a platform as God’s chosen ruler of His chosen people. That does not let secular governments off the hook—and if I’m an elected official, my faith surely is critical in guiding my behavior. However, we also serve God and have the freedom to care for the less fortunate. I once heard Andy Stanley preach about doing for the one what you’d like to do for the many. During the recent government shutdown, I reached out to a military family to see about covering a month’s pay to help them. They let me know they didn’t need it, but I pondered what could happen if one person per military family covered their monthly bills. What if churches worked together to care for a family missing out on their food program? How about if your company did? Rulers have a responsibility to look after these people in our society—but that is not our excuse to stand idle. Today, do—in the name of the Savior—for the one what you’d like to do for the many. #BeTheEdge
“John answered, ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.’” Luke 3:11 NIV
