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Welfare and Poverty -- Whose Concern?

While I believe wholeheartedly in compassionate conservatism, I have always had a problem with the Government's interference in matters of the church. I have maintained, in sermons and in conversation with others, that the Government has usurped a mission of the church in regards to taking care of the poor and the elderly and the unemployed. As I have read the Bible and as I have considered the words of Jesus and the apostles, I have come to the conclusion that it is the responsibility of the church to take care of these people. Why do we currently have such massive government programs such as welfare and unemployment assistance? Simply because the church has failed to live up to its biblical responsibility and its obligation.

In a recent article on the World Magazine online website, Doug Banders had the same thoughts in an article on what role religion should take in a government:

"Consider poverty. God's concern for the poor, the vulnerable, and the weak is persistent, pervasive, and powerful. Notably, however, the Bible does not vest this responsibility in the state. While Scripture does not bar a public role, the alleviation of poverty is consistently presented as an obligation of individuals, families, and congregations, not government, and a duty to God, not a right of the recipient.

Moreover, the biblical model of limited assistance to those unable to work imposed responsibilities upon the recipients, and avoided the social destructiveness of the modern welfare state. Although Scripture does not formally proscribe a public role or broader approach, it implies that believers should fulfill their individual and corporate responsibilities before turning to government, and that any state programs should not violate other biblical norms, such as family formation."

Maybe we are starting to see the turning of the tide on this issue. In the Methodist Church, our own Book of Discipline states that we support Government efforts in taking care of the poor and needy. That is patently wrong and unbiblical. It's time the church stood up and took care of the people as God commanded! What would happen if all the Christians and all the churches in America made a concerted effort to take care of the poor and the needy? I, for one, would like to know. Here are a few ramifications that I can see off the bat:

1. Less government debt
2. Lower taxes
3. Revitalized churches and congregations (give someone a purpose and see what they will do!)
4. Christianity in action leading to saved souls (the old cliche is true, "people don't care what you have to say, until they know how much you care" -- if the people see the church putting faith into action, they will come to know God through us!)

What do you think? How can we start?