quote:

Jesus Anointed at Bethany
…10But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. 11"For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12"For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.…

quote:

You’re probably thinking of Jesus’ words in John 12:8: “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” His words were directed at Judas (who would soon betray Him), admonishing him because he was more interested in getting money for himself than in serving Jesus.

But Jesus wasn’t saying we shouldn’t fight poverty or help those in need–not at all. He was only giving a description of the way the world actually is, not the way it should be. The Bible repeatedly commands us to help the needy, and condemns those who take advantage of the poor. God told His people in the Old Testament, “I command you to be openhanded toward … the poor and needy in your land” (Deuteronomy 15:11). Jesus told His disciples to “Sell your possessions and give to the poor” (Luke 12:33).

You and I live in the most prosperous society the world has ever seen–and yet hunger, homelessness and poverty are still a tragic reality for millions every day. At least half the world’s population lives on the edge of survival because of the effects of poverty. How can we remain indifferent to their plight?

Ask God to show you ways you can help those whose lives are crushed by poverty. In addition, don’t forget the greatest poverty of all–which is poverty of soul. Is Christ the center of your life, and are you seeking to tell others about the peace and joy He brings to all who open their hearts to Him?

quote:

ORIGINAL: bounty44

I have said things like this here before. jesus came to seek and save the lost from sin. his messages and teachings were for individuals, not for government.

as such, the idea of jesus being a socialist (which implies politics and economics) because he was an advocate of taking care of the poor, is absurd.

that does not mean that government should not be influenced by Christianity, but there is no way the biblical teachings of Christ can be used to justify government supplanting the role of individual Christians in caring for the needy. to the extent that government has taken that role upon itself speaks to how badly, on the whole, they have wreaked havoc on those they purport to help.

and totally agreed with what sanity just said...and hunter above him...

quote:

ORIGINAL: bounty44

I have said things like this here before. jesus came to seek and save the lost from sin. his messages and teachings were for individuals, not for government.

as such, the idea of jesus being a socialist (which implies politics and economics) because he was an advocate of taking care of the poor, is absurd.

that does not mean that government should not be influenced by Christianity, but there is no way the biblical teachings of Christ can be used to justify government supplanting the role of individual Christians in caring for the needy. to the extent that government has taken that role upon itself speaks to how badly, on the whole, they have wreaked havoc on those they purport to help.

and totally agreed with what sanity just said...and hunter above him...

quote:

ORIGINAL: HunterCA
I agree, but I would add the following. Charity is the culmination of two things. Gracious giving and gracious receiving. When the government steps in and demands giving in the form of redistribution of wealth it's a perversion of charity. It is neither gracious giving nor receiving. To train people to live off handouts is a perversion.

I'll look for, perhaps, links to Obama wanting to take away all tax deductions for charity and leave wealth distribution solely to the government. That is evil and a perversion...in my mind. Charity is an act of spiritual connection between people and does not involve the government beyond taking note, as it now does, that the spiritual act was a reasonable write off.