Oh, how that “double-edged sword” can cut, but not the way, surely, the God of the Word intended!
Once people weaponise scripture and use it to justify their atrocious policies, there’s no limit to the harm they can inflict!
I wish they would either take the time to understand context and content - not least by asking the Spirit of God to teach them- or stop abusing scripture in this way.
As you said, the problem isn’t that people aren’t willing to work. It’s the greed of corporate CEOs paying starvation wages, then donating to elect politicians who will simultaneously cut social programs and give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. I think the OT prophets would like to have a word . . .
“We the people” are the government. Why don’t “we the people” put our money together to buy food for the most vulnerable? Oh, wait, that already exists. It’s SNAP
I want to thank you for articulating so well what I say to people all the time. Jesus said what you do for the least of these, you do for me. I don't have to go on repeating what you have so eloquently written. It frustrates me so much that people use Christianity as a pillar to rest there political beliefs on and then misquote or take literally one line while ignoring the whole rest of the Bible. I stand with you, that the Jesus I follow, the Bible I read, and the Christianity that I practice is one where we feed the poor, take in the homeless and set free the captive.
I just posted two pieces (Hunger Pt 1 & 2) on Substack. I don't say it as eloquently as you or as throughly scripturally but same message and same frustration.
I gave some ideas that people in their "tribe" could do in their tribe which removes the argument of not wanting to help the "other". Also a brief piece about how it affects children and the families involved.
We really need to see feeding each other as a moral moment.
I live in VA and our republican governor declared a state of emergency so our “rainy day” fund can cover the snap benefits for those who would be missing them on the 1st. Of course he’s not doing it out of moral Christian love, he’s doing it “because the democrats are blocking the government from reopening”. Whatever. I’m so glad that Virginians won’t go hungry that I’m overlooking the reason for it.
Explain to me, cause I do want to know, why is it the governments job to help people in need and not the job of the church? Can the government really do it that much better? Wouldn’t it make more sense to use your own money for that, not the collective tax dollars from everyone in the country? If it’s really about sacrifice, why are we using government funds not your own personal money? Wouldn’t it be so much more meaningful to the poor person if you actually did took your own money AND time to help them?
I addressed this in the article, but I’ll break it down for you again. Simply put, the need is too great.
If every church in America took full responsibility for the hungry, each would need to feed about 1,500 people a week.
Most can’t even keep the lights on as it is.
Government programs exist because faith communities asked for them. They realized the problem was bigger than any one congregation could solve. That’s the part people miss. If we really want the church to do it all, we’d better be ready to triple tithes, triple food budgets, and triple volunteers…because wishful thinking doesn’t fill a grocery cart.
And I hope you’re asking the same question about the other basic needs our government provides for. “If you really care about safety, use your own money for police.” Oh wait…maybe we understand that some goods are public goods. Feeding the hungry should be one of them.
If you look at the numbers the food stamps SNAP program has raised food prices, bc government funded any increase demand but not supply. How does that that help poor people, or anyone?
The increase in demand is only part of the economic equation. When someone uses SNAP benefits they are putting money into their local grocery store. Grocery stores operate on razor thin margins. Will rural grocery stores be able to survive months without the SNAP benefits? And, will people feel so desperate they steal?
Oh, how that “double-edged sword” can cut, but not the way, surely, the God of the Word intended!
Once people weaponise scripture and use it to justify their atrocious policies, there’s no limit to the harm they can inflict!
I wish they would either take the time to understand context and content - not least by asking the Spirit of God to teach them- or stop abusing scripture in this way.
Thank you for so clearly calling it out!
As you said, the problem isn’t that people aren’t willing to work. It’s the greed of corporate CEOs paying starvation wages, then donating to elect politicians who will simultaneously cut social programs and give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. I think the OT prophets would like to have a word . . .
Biblical illiteracy is a metastatic cancer within the Church and it will come at an unbearable cost for many.
“We the people” are the government. Why don’t “we the people” put our money together to buy food for the most vulnerable? Oh, wait, that already exists. It’s SNAP
Evil done in the name of good is still evil. Using one scripture to justify evil...is evil.
Once again, power, greed and corruption rule the day. Once again the casualties are the innocent souls.
Wow unto them who use the word of God so flippantly...
Christians who respond coldly make me so mad! And of all the programs in the US, why do we cut something for the poor?! Of all things! Ggrrr.
Sad state of affairs in our country! Thank you for writing this piece on weaponizing the scriptures!
I want to thank you for articulating so well what I say to people all the time. Jesus said what you do for the least of these, you do for me. I don't have to go on repeating what you have so eloquently written. It frustrates me so much that people use Christianity as a pillar to rest there political beliefs on and then misquote or take literally one line while ignoring the whole rest of the Bible. I stand with you, that the Jesus I follow, the Bible I read, and the Christianity that I practice is one where we feed the poor, take in the homeless and set free the captive.
Amen and amen.
This cuts close for me and many people I know.
I just posted two pieces (Hunger Pt 1 & 2) on Substack. I don't say it as eloquently as you or as throughly scripturally but same message and same frustration.
I gave some ideas that people in their "tribe" could do in their tribe which removes the argument of not wanting to help the "other". Also a brief piece about how it affects children and the families involved.
We really need to see feeding each other as a moral moment.
Thank you for all your work and advocacy.
I live in VA and our republican governor declared a state of emergency so our “rainy day” fund can cover the snap benefits for those who would be missing them on the 1st. Of course he’s not doing it out of moral Christian love, he’s doing it “because the democrats are blocking the government from reopening”. Whatever. I’m so glad that Virginians won’t go hungry that I’m overlooking the reason for it.
Great post, as always.
THE STATE - our blessed lord and savior
Explain to me, cause I do want to know, why is it the governments job to help people in need and not the job of the church? Can the government really do it that much better? Wouldn’t it make more sense to use your own money for that, not the collective tax dollars from everyone in the country? If it’s really about sacrifice, why are we using government funds not your own personal money? Wouldn’t it be so much more meaningful to the poor person if you actually did took your own money AND time to help them?
I addressed this in the article, but I’ll break it down for you again. Simply put, the need is too great.
If every church in America took full responsibility for the hungry, each would need to feed about 1,500 people a week.
Most can’t even keep the lights on as it is.
Government programs exist because faith communities asked for them. They realized the problem was bigger than any one congregation could solve. That’s the part people miss. If we really want the church to do it all, we’d better be ready to triple tithes, triple food budgets, and triple volunteers…because wishful thinking doesn’t fill a grocery cart.
And I hope you’re asking the same question about the other basic needs our government provides for. “If you really care about safety, use your own money for police.” Oh wait…maybe we understand that some goods are public goods. Feeding the hungry should be one of them.
If you look at the numbers the food stamps SNAP program has raised food prices, bc government funded any increase demand but not supply. How does that that help poor people, or anyone?
The increase in demand is only part of the economic equation. When someone uses SNAP benefits they are putting money into their local grocery store. Grocery stores operate on razor thin margins. Will rural grocery stores be able to survive months without the SNAP benefits? And, will people feel so desperate they steal?
God bless. I am much the same.