Christian Conservatives fear an Obama presidency with good reason. His government-coercion principles of 'wealth distribution' rob us of our ability to manage our own resources and remain responsible for what God has seen fit to bestow upon us. However, we must realize that right now, a total ban of government-funded social programs would not be fitting for modern culture. As we must have a dog trained to Come before we let it off the leash, we must train ourselves and educate others before we can remove the restraints of government-forced 'charity'. In this post, I would like to give recommendations for each of three financial categories in preparing our country for an eventual return to fiscal conservatism.
2. The Poor
Your job is actually not much more difficult than that of the Rich. You may have never thought of it that way, especially if you have bought into the culture of entitlement, which tells you to hate them for having what you "deserve". You're going to have an uphill climb in divesting yourself of that class hatred. Remember that, as the Spiderman move put it so nicely, with great power comes great responsibility. The material wealth that God will hold you accountable for is not as great a burden as on the rich, and though you have incentive to save and request help within the current social system, the rich have to remember charity despite the government seeking to remove that responsibility from their shoulders.
Remember that the Bible tells you very firmly to not envy another man's goods. God intends each person to carry on with what he or she is given, take on your own burdens, and do not waste your days wishing for someone else's. Enjoy your own home, your own family, and measure your success by your own efforts to improve.
As someone in genuine need, you are going to end up having to ask for help. If you have truly been doing your best, not having fallen into poverty from laziness, there is no shame in needing aid. When you are a single mother with many children, a sick or injured person with limited mobility, an elderly person living alone, you generally simply aren't in a position where you can do it all for yourself. You, the Middle Class, and the Rich should all remember that none of us, from the poorest to the richest, can reach salvation alone. Set aside your pride, survey your situation, understand what you truly need, and seek it out.
In a post-socialist society, receiving what you need is going to entail something much more difficult and rewarding than simply sending filled-out applications to faceless bureaucrats. Rather than an impersonal government seeking to provide for you, you will be dealing with real people who are truly helping you. They will have families, hopes, and dreams, and so will you. In sharing their blessings, you will be forming bonds outside of your financial standing and likely out of your age and race groups as well. The prospect is more daunting, but the rewards are significantly more substantial.
Work if you can. Your goal is to benefit from their generosity and use it to pull yourself up as far as you are able. In a truly Christian society, following properly the advice in the book of Romans, they will not be judging you for your progress and you will not be taking advantage of their willingness to help you. Perhaps you will never be able to become financially independent. That matters less than that you contribute what you are able.
What you can contribute will depend on your situation. Don't ever think yourself utterly useless. If you can't work and you can't walk, you can probably knit sweaters for babies and blankets for people in foreign countries. If you can't even do that, you can probably sit and listen. You'd be amazed how many 'rich' people would love just to have someone sit and listen for a while. As I'm addressing Christian Conservatives here, you know you can always pray for them as well.
The socialist wing of the liberals have likely done their best to undermine your confidence in God. Remember that you are mentioned explicitly in the Bible, several times, as people cared for by God. He will provide, and He will judge others by how they treat you.
No comments:
Post a Comment