Re:  http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/jan2008/leeshal18.htm

 

I am curious to know. What does the bible say about being on welfare, if you have a job and are kind of struggling and there is just two people in the house hold. Please let me know biblically because I cannot find where it speaks about this matter. I want to know if it is right in the sight of the lord. Please be as straight forward as possible Thank you for your time.

 

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  I John 3:17

 

You are asking whether it is all right to accept welfare.  Would it make it more acceptable to take a handout from the Church instead of the State?  In Biblical times and in current times, offerings to the Church were distributed to those that had needs.  Now we have the State collecting taxes so it is able to usurp the role of the Church and hand out and garner favor as it hands out welfare, on a basis hopefully based on need.  

 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.  James 1:27

 

The Christian Church started with this:

 

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.   Acts 2:44-45

 

Although it didn't last very long and quickly degenerated as it removed the incentive to work any harder than the most lazy person in the group as Human Nature took over.  For it is written:

 

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.  II Thessalonians 3:10

 

Notice it doesn't say if any could not work but if any would not work.  There is a big difference.  So if you are willing to work, there is no prohibition in the Bible against also accepting additional assistance, from the State, and from the Body of Believers.  If people did not accept the free gift or assistance from others, how could other people give?  Sometimes Pride keeps people from accepting free gifts, which is wrong.  Just as it would be wrong to have Pride get in the way of accepting the free gift from God of Eternal Life.  If you are receiving that which you do not need and you feel the Lord speaking to you about it, then either refuse it or give to those less needy than yourself. 

 

I've tried to limit my own commentary and just include Bible verses but sometimes it is hard.

 

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

 

 

 

 

Shalom,

Ted Porter