In the run up to the 2008 Presidential election, I had a co-worker try to convince me it was my “Christian duty” to vote for Obama because he was the more “compassionate” candidate. His logic was that it’s the government‘s responsibility to take care of people who are in need, so we shouldn’t mind paying higher taxes because we are more fortunate.

I contend it’s not the government’s responsibility to be charitable. There is nothing in the United States Constitution that established any of the agencies that tax us and “redistribute the wealth.” Churches and families are responsible to being charitable, not the government.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells us “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Churches used to take that responsibility seriously, but then the government stepped in and started handing out food, housing assistance, medical care. All things the church used to do, things we should still be doing.

Even Christian charity should have its limits. 2 Thessalonians 3 has a warning from the Apostle Paul against idleness.

⁶ In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

Even though Paul and probably Silas could have taken charity from the Thessalonians while they were ministering to them, they did not. Most Bible historians believe Paul was a tent maker and he continued in his trade even while working as a missionary.

The next few verses contain a stern lecture from Paul against idleness.

¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. ¹² Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. ¹³ And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

Instead of enabling people to stay on welfare generation after generation, we should rebuke them. They should be ashamed of their lack of ambition and idleness, yet I know some people who game the system to get “free money.”

¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

In conclusion we should remember the phrase, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” This means that people who are capable of performing honest work should not be on welfare, they shouldn’t expect a hand out from the government. If you’ve never payed into the unemployment system by working, you shouldn’t expect to get any money from the government when you can’t (or won’t) work.