This post is part of an ongoing series called “The Intentional Destruction of the USA.” Find out more here.
For the most part, people love their rights, but they’re not interested in personal responsibility. I mean, you rarely see protests about the need for greater responsibility. On the other hand, if someone suspects their rights are being violated, they’ll freak out. Don’t get me wrong, defending personal freedom is important. That said, no one has a right to receive goods and services at another person’s expense, and that’s what the American welfare system is all about.
Without question, everyone is born with rights. They’re given to us at birth by our Creator, and they can’t be taken away (Genesis 1:26-28). We can think, say and do what we like, as long as we’re not violating someone else’s rights to do the same. Goods and services, however, are things we need or want. We have a right to buy things like food, clothing and shelter, but nobody has a right to these things themselves. They must be bought, or someone can buy them for you.
Sure, the government can buy goods and services for people, but they have to use taxes to do this. Obviously, taking someone’s money and giving it to another person isn’t charity. That’s called theft, and stealing is sin (Exodus 20:15). To be fair, the government can also print money and hand it out to welfare recipients, but that’s just a sneakier way of stealing. After all, the more money in circulation, the less valuable it is. Prices go up, and the value of personal savings is destroyed. Why save money, if it’s only going to go down in value over time? People save less, there’s not as much money to invest, and it’s more difficult to create real wealth.
Unfortunately, this system is supported by arguably the most socially acceptable sin out there: envy (Exodus 20:17). Politicians like power, and they tend to do whatever it takes to stay in office. So, they take money from some people and give it to others in the name of compassion. As an added bonus, it makes the welfare recipient completely dependent upon them.
If you asked an unskilled worker if they wanted a low-paying job or a welfare payment, odds are they’d go with the welfare. Naturally, those who don’t work don’t gain skills, which makes them less employable. As a result, they become dependent on welfare payments.
Now, these days, refusing to support theft in the name of compassion makes you a terrible person. That’s fine. The Bible is strongly opposed to the American welfare system, and I’d rather be hated for believing God’s Word than cheered for rejecting any part of it. Indeed, the Bible says “For when we were with you, we commanded you that if any will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Certainly, the Bible encourages giving, but it doesn’t endorse theft under any circumstances. The family and the church are responsible for helping people in need, not the government (1 Timothy 5:3-10).
Really, this isn’t that surprising. When individuals become dependent upon the government, they are far more likely to worship it instead of God. The Bible observes that “While coveting after money, some have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). Jesus made it clear: you can’t serve God and money (Matthew 6:24). We’re not supposed to worry about our needs, because God will take care of us (Matthew 6:31-32; Hebrews 13:5).
Of course, a time is coming when the Antichrist will declare that you must worship him and receive his mark (Revelation 13:15-17). If you don’t, you won’t be able to buy and sell, and receiving government payments will definitely be out of the question. When this takes place, what will people do?