Romans 13
4for it [government] is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
6For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
"Spreading the wealth around" is so very dangerous. It is not the biblical mandate of government to "spread the wealth" but to be a minister or servant to the people and to avenge evil. It is "because of this" [Romans 13:6] that we pay taxes, not so that the wealth can be spread.Acts 4
The wealth is to be shared voluntarily [2 Corinthians 9:7], especially by believers, to the glory of God.
When government is "spreading the wealth around", it is very dangerous because government is:
- Feeding the lie that economics is exempt from scripture.
- Promoting "class envy." "Do not covet" made the Top 10 when Moses went on the mountain to hear from God [Exodus 20]. This mandate includes the poor and middle class regarding their outlook upon the wealthy. Government should not santion envy by removing funds from one economic class to give hand outs to another in the name of "fairness".
- Redefining the scriptural ideas of justice and mercy to that of humanly defined fairness.
- Taking on a responsibility that is not scriptural [Romans 13:1-7].
- Wasting money by flushing it through an inefficient system of bureaucracy that eats away at every dollar before it gets to those who might need it. In effect, the value of the dollar is reduced. Local churches and accountable charities are far more capable of sharing the wealth than government is at spreading the wealth.
- Promoting laziness. Isn't this obvious? Yes, there are those in dire straights through no fault of their own. Most people who fall into this category have developed a network of friends and family who will make sure that they do not end up on the streets. But, social and economic history dictates that laziness is a natural biproduct of on-going handouts.
By the way, this includes health care!
Think about it.
5 comments:
Amy,
Our little congregation is probably the exception, but it strikes me that the main reason government has been allowed to get so huge in our nation is that, for the most part, the Church has not been doing her job. If she were, there would be no "need" for government slavery programs.
Good job arguing your points from Scripture. Good blog. "Spreading the wealth around" is all about envy and taking what others have by the force of government and taxes to socially engineer "equality." --Tren
I find it strange that you would speak of our founding fathers so highly, and at the same time take Romans 13 out of context to tell us that we should lay down to government, had our founding fathers (who were Godly men) interpreted Romans 13 the same way that the church does today, We'd still be under the rule of King George. It was the clergy of the day that started the Revolution, many preachers led the militia. In 1 Sam 8 you can read, starting about vs 11 A long train of abuses similar to the ones found in our Founding Fathers Declaration of Independence. This was not by mistake! Ask yourself this question, Did God answer George Washington's prayer at Valley Forge? History is full of examples of Godly men doing what is necessary to resist mans unjust laws, Paul wrote Romans 13 while in prison! He wasn't there for "Obeying the authorities"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc5SxET1-Kk
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God - Thomas Jefferson
I see that comment moderation has been enabled, and I don't expect you to post this, that's OK, I don't expect my first ammendment right to be honored or upheld. I just want YOU to think about it! The Supreme Law in the US is the Constitution, not our elected kings, and our Constitution was structured in accordance with the Bible, when our leaders go against the Constitution they should be resisted.
In response to William's comment - if you re-read the blog, I am interpreting Romans 13 as calling for a smaller government. In a democratic republic, citizens have a say in the direction our government takes. It is time for us to wake up and realize where we are currently headed - no matter who is president but especially if Obama is elected. We also need to pay far more attention to who goes to Washington as congressmen. There is a time for civil disobedience but it calls for prayful discernment.
I don't understand "William Wallace.". (Although I doubt that is your real name.)
Amy appears to be making a good argument for resisting the direction our government is taking, and you proceed to lecture her from the same direction she is taking. She is urging for smaller government and less intrusion. Just like our founding fathers. Right?
This is why I am not a Democrat and do not like the direction of the Republicans either. I am also for smaller government and less intrusion. it seems to me that we here on this blog all agree.
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