WHAT SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE BE REGARDING THE DISADVANTAGED?

One Christian woman railed that the government should do more to provide for the disadvantaged. However, is this the job of the government, and does such assistance help the disadvantaged in a meaningful way? This also raises another question:

·       Should the role of the government be distinct from the Biblically prescribed role of the individual?

While, personally, we are called upon for forgive, to not seek revenge, and to even love our enemies, the role of the government is vastly different. While we are not to bring down the wrath of God, the government has been designated to carry out this responsibility:

·       Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:1-4 (ESV); 1 Peter 2:13-14; Titus 3:1)

For instance, the judge is to be an avenger of God’s wrath. But what if the judge fails to understand the distinction between his role as a private citizen and as a judge and said to the guilty party, “I forgive you. Go free?” This would put the kibosh on justice and a safe and orderly society. No one would therefore report a crime or testify against a mugger, lest he seek to retaliate. When the guilty are not punished, the innocent suffer!

Therefore, God wisely created a separation of roles and responsibilities. Jesus rarely taught about the role of the government. In fact, he upheld it by telling His disciples to honor the authority of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-2) and even the Romans. His concern was about the individual’s morality. Therefore, when He taught us to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:38-30) he wasn’t teaching that the police should turn the other cheek and to allow the victim to be raped or mugged or that the prison doors should be flung open. Likewise, when Jesus taught about loving one’s enemies, He never applied this teaching to the government.

This brings us to the question of mercy -- giving alms or lending (Matthew 5:42). What is to be the government’s role?  Jesus never suggested that the government was to be engaged in this practice. From all indications, government had been entrusted to uphold the laws of God. However, the laws also provided a safety-net:

·       If an Israelite was unable to pay his debts, he was to become an indentured servant/slave. However, he was to be released after six years and his master was to provide liberally for him.

·       Every 50^th year, the apportioned inheritance of land was to return to its original family.

·       A portion of the tithe was to be distributed by the priests to those in need. However, there is no indication that this provision would be available to those who wouldn’t work.

·       The poor could glean a field after it had been harvested.

However, there is no indication that these provisions could be used to create dependency or laziness. Likewise, we even find similar concerns in the Church. Paul counseled that those who refuse to work should not be indulged:

·       Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us…If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 10-12; 1 Timothy 5:4-17)

However, government is unable to exercise the accountability necessary to help the recipient get back on his feet. Instead, government entitlement programs have destroyed the family, making the provider irrelevant, and have encouraged slothfulness.

Although it can be argued that the government can (or should) provide a bare and temporary safety-net, this should only be done in view of these dangers and the fact that this isn’t government’s primary role – the enforcement of the law (Romans 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14)

When justice is fairly administered, trust and peace result – the conditions that make a society thrive and encourage investment. The law must not discriminate. Instead, it is to treat everyone equally, according to the same legal standards. This creates unity instead of division and contempt.

However, the individual’s practice of love and mercy should and must discriminate. We can host a party and invite anyone we wish, and no one can legitimately say, “This is not fair for you to not have invited me.” We can also decide to become a missionary to the Eskimos, and not have to worry about anyone charging us with “injustice” for not spreading our attentions equally among the Asians and Africans. However, government cannot take such liberties without violating its mandate to provide equal justice. However, to service those in need, government needs to determine who is worthy and will make best use of their services. This is something it cannot effectively do without incurring negative consequences.

Instead, this used to be the domain of the Church. Can we give in a way that helps the needy recover their sense of dignity? Many Christian aid groups have! In The Tragedy of American Compassion, Marvin Olasky, editor-in-chief of World Magazine, argues that, for 300 years, the church had been doing a good job of addressing the needs of the poor:

·       Faith-based groups a century ago helped millions out of poverty and into homes. Local organizations had the detailed knowledge and flexibility necessary to administer the combination of loving compassion and rigorous discipline that was needed.

However, the government, out of what Shelby Steele calls “White Guilt,” has taken over the role of the Church. The Church had held their recipients accountable to make behavioral changes. However, the recipients succumbed to the allure of receiving a monthly check without having to make any changes.

However, the government can benefit the needy by empowering them by ensuring that the nation is safe, stable, just, and predictable. This encourages investment and the creation of jobs. In countries where corruption can take away one’s business or allow it to be looted, investment shrinks, and barriers go up.

Why had the Christian West become so successful? Because it was Christian and was committed to Biblical moral principles, which promoted growth.