Amanda Stevenson
Dr. Huber
BA 240
22 January 2016
Topic: How Christians Can Help the Poor in a World of Corruption
Historically, one trend among society has been the idea that the rich hold an obligation to help the poor. In the past, the rich took care of the poor because they had the ability to do so, however, as the world has progressed, society has become more prone to succumbing to ever present temptations. Economically, this temptation could arise from the misuse of financial aid and/or prosperity driven efforts, as well as the potential to force those unwillingly into helping the less fortunate. Now, those who intentionally help the poor are the morally stout. This presents a major issue for Christians in society: that is, how they …show more content…
Bolt uses 2 Thessalonians 3: 10 to support his claim. The verse reads, “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’” This leads to a gray area, because in today’s society, Christians may not be able to distinguish between those who can’t work and those who won’t. Also mentioning 1 Timothy 6:7-8, which says, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that,” Bolt discourages the thought that being poor is based on a lack of material things. If Christians are unable to take anything with them into their afterlife, then the focus of life is to be more centered on social matters as opposed to financial ones. Despite the corruption growing within the well intended programs created for the benefit of the poor, Christians should take these verses as direction for their actions. Being content with the basic human needs such as food, water, shelter, and community does not include withholding aid from someone else simply because some people choose to misuse the system. Choosing to withhold is equivalent to actively participating in the corruption that is being discouraged against. Although the type of corruption may have changed since the time period of the Bible, there is still corruption all the same. Withholding aid could even be considered an act of oppression. Proverbs 14:31 reads, “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (NIV). Christians are commanded to help and serve the poor, but they are not instructed to determine who the poor are. Despite the broken system, Christians can assist those less fortunate in conscience by knowing that the pros outweigh the cons. By doing this, Christians are presenting a
Dr. Huber
BA 240
22 January 2016
Topic: How Christians Can Help the Poor in a World of Corruption
Historically, one trend among society has been the idea that the rich hold an obligation to help the poor. In the past, the rich took care of the poor because they had the ability to do so, however, as the world has progressed, society has become more prone to succumbing to ever present temptations. Economically, this temptation could arise from the misuse of financial aid and/or prosperity driven efforts, as well as the potential to force those unwillingly into helping the less fortunate. Now, those who intentionally help the poor are the morally stout. This presents a major issue for Christians in society: that is, how they …show more content…
Bolt uses 2 Thessalonians 3: 10 to support his claim. The verse reads, “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’” This leads to a gray area, because in today’s society, Christians may not be able to distinguish between those who can’t work and those who won’t. Also mentioning 1 Timothy 6:7-8, which says, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that,” Bolt discourages the thought that being poor is based on a lack of material things. If Christians are unable to take anything with them into their afterlife, then the focus of life is to be more centered on social matters as opposed to financial ones. Despite the corruption growing within the well intended programs created for the benefit of the poor, Christians should take these verses as direction for their actions. Being content with the basic human needs such as food, water, shelter, and community does not include withholding aid from someone else simply because some people choose to misuse the system. Choosing to withhold is equivalent to actively participating in the corruption that is being discouraged against. Although the type of corruption may have changed since the time period of the Bible, there is still corruption all the same. Withholding aid could even be considered an act of oppression. Proverbs 14:31 reads, “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (NIV). Christians are commanded to help and serve the poor, but they are not instructed to determine who the poor are. Despite the broken system, Christians can assist those less fortunate in conscience by knowing that the pros outweigh the cons. By doing this, Christians are presenting a