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Did Jesus Teach Faith-Based Charities?
The new administration has proposed the government's support of "faith-based charities." Actually, this is not a new concept. Federal funds have been used by the Salvation Army, YMCA, Catholic charities, and Jewish charities for many years. The new drive is to have churches more prominently work with government to fight poverty and help to reinvigorate the dying family unit in this country. Is church-state cooperation the answer to poverty and family dysfunction? Jesus and the Poor As Christians, we are all very sympathetic to the poor, disabled and dysfunctional members of society and would like to lift them up out of their distressed condition. But is this really the role of the Christian church in this age? At first we might think so. Jesus said, "Sell that which ye have and give to the poor." (Matt. 19:21) "He hath sent me to preach the gospel to the poor." (Luke 4:18) When expensive ointment was lavished on Jesus, some said, "It should have been sold and given to the poor." But note Jesus' reply: "For the poor always ye have with you, but me ye have not always." (John 12:8) Jesus was teaching that this is not the time to solve the world's poverty. If it had been the time to uplift all the poor, surely he could have organized a grand system of charity for the oppressed Jews under the Roman yoke, but he did not. Why? Social Gospel The present is not the time for a social gospel to help the poor of the world. Jesus said His kingdom was not of this (present) world. (John 18:36) Churches have been involved in helping the poor and disadvantaged on many levels. In a large measure, these programs are motivated by a love of fellow man and a noble desire to help. But really the motivation is a sense of urgency to save souls -- feeling now is "the only day of salvation." Sadly, it is an illusion (and a misunderstanding of Scripture) to think that they can conquer the world for Christ and bring the promised healing of his Kingdom. Let us not be carried away by another gospel (a social gospel). Christians are not to be entangled with the affairs of this world. "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (2 Cor. 11:2) The True Gospel The true gospel points us to the most comprehensive and compassionate and permanent solution. "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10) The solution will be the kingdom of God. It will satisfy the desire of all nations with peace and true security (Haggai 2:7). In God's due time (after he has selected footstep followers of Jesus), He will establish His long-awaited kingdom. All of the oppressed will at last have every legitimate longing satisfied. "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matt. 6:10) We should all be very sensitive and sympathetic toward the poor and needy. "Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10) However, true Christians are focused on preaching forgiveness of individual sin, individual begetting of the holy Spirit and a personal walk in "newness of life." Let us make ourselves ready by a closer walk with God in holiness and understanding that we may be part of the heavenly kingdom which will, in God's due time, bless all the families of the earth (Genesis 22:18)!
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