Should Christians Support Political Tax Systems To Feed The Poor? | God, The Poor, & Taxes
First, let me say that we are called to obey the law of the land and our rulers. No one is in power unless God has permitted it. So, to the extent that we are required to pay large taxes, we absolutely should do so. The question I’m asking in this video is more or less addressing the morality of the demand.
We are often asked if Christians should support raising taxes to feed and help the poor. Is it biblical to pay taxes to help others?
In the video above we make the case that there is no scriptural support for a government to tax people to feed, clothe, or assist the poor.
We believe it’s the responsibility of the church.
Nowhere in scripture did Jesus call his followers to rely on the government to help the needy.
In fact, Jesus literally stayed out of politics.
It seems that some think the Government is more caring and giving than Christians. Not so.
But, when you continually raise taxes on those that do have the financial ability to help the needy, well, you hinder their ability to give.
As Christians, when we give directly, 100% of the money goes to help the needy.
Also, Jesus made the following statement:
[2 Thessalonians 3:10] For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
Unfortunately, I think we have many recipients of taxpayer dollars that are not willing to work. I don’t blame them. I blame the enablers. The government and those that support these programs.
So, I believe this applies to many Americans. Don’t get me wrong, I most certainly think we need funds for the disabled and many other Americans. I also know there are many people that truly need our help just for basic needs, like food and water. I am not making a blanket statement.
But – 1) I don’t think we should rely on a government tax system to do it. 2) I also don’t like that our idea of someone who needs assistance has homes, running water, heat & A/C, cell phones, multiple TV’s, a car, etc.
Even our poorest people in America are richer than the people of Christ’s time. Their rich would have envied what we consider poor today.
I’m going to tread lightly, because I don’t want to get overly political, but I honestly believe the government is overall not interested in helping real people in need. They are interested in votes. In other words, they are buying votes, but with someone else’s money.
Take Away: YES, there are needy people and Christians should give from their abundance, where they see a need. NO, I don’t think that should be the government’s role, and nor do I think they do a better job than Christians would, and do.
I am reminded of an old expression. Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for life.
That’s where your government should come in (and mom & dad). If we really want to help the needy, let’s teach them a trade.
Let’s love on them. Guide them. Teach them a trade. Let’s get them out of the situation they are in. One of the evilest things we can do is give them just enough to keep them from going hungry, but never help them to prosper independently.
Share your thoughts.
Author: Mike Cynar
Mike Cynar grew up in church and observed that countless people would go to church and then just stop. The church always referred to them as ‘fake Christians’ or ‘backsliders’ but Mike discovered the problem was deeper. The problem was the church message. The message was 90% behavior improvement and how bad you are, with a pinch of who you are in Christ, It was like every sermon was being preached to the church of Corinth. It’s in the Baptist church, Catholic, Pentecost, and most every other church. After discovering the true gospel message and how we are made right with God because of what ‘Jesus did’ (not what ‘we do’) Mike set out to free believers from behavior improvement programs and bring them back to Jesus. The Result – Jesus Without Religion was launched.
