“the article”

I recently had some of my thoughts published in the Grand Rapids Press. Since I received a comment on it, I thought I’d post the article here and include the comment below.

A recent guest commentary saw a concerted effort to equate liberal social policies with the Christian mandate to care for the poor. Christian compassion was contrasted with humanist demands for a shared life and the communist confession that we will have heaven on earth. The commentary suggested that liberal social policies are diametrically opposed to Christian compassion and that charity is much better suited to meet the needs of those suffering from poor choices, poor luck, or poor justice.

Actually, calls for income redistribution are found in God’s law. Alongside prohibitions of lying and sexual immorality are commands to leave some of the harvest, tithe, release slaves with provisions, and redistribute the land at Jubilee. They were compulsory; not left to individual choice or charity. They ensured everyone a decent life. God knew his people could be hard-hearted and tight-fisted and knowing that the poor would be with them commanded, “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:7-11).

Jesus proclaimed “the year of the Lord’s favor;” a reference to Jubilee. He taught his disciples to pray for God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven.” “Forgive us our debts” points us again to Sabbath and Jubilee laws. The Holy Spirit inspired early Christians to sell their private possessions and devote them to the common good. We have a prayer and fellowship that appear similar to “utopian” humanist and communist ideas. Of course, there was no written law binding believers. They acted compassionately because the law was written on their hearts.

The apostle Paul hoped for cheerful givers in order that one would not have too much while another has too little (2 Cor. 8:15). Today, the average house is getting larger, the average debt is getting deeper, and the income gap gets wider. Today, studies say that most Christians, despite commendable generosity, only contribute 2-6% of their income. Even after recent tax cuts, none claim that most Christians give a full 10%. Some say we’d have an extra $143 billion annually if every Christian tithed; enough to meet all of the UN Millenium Goals and more to evangelize. Alas, God’s people have other priorities. Christian charity remains ill-suited to replace government programs and that’s o.k.

The Bible describes a role for government. The OT commends rulers who establish God’s justice. Jesus and Paul encourage Christians to pay taxes to “God’s servant.” Certainly, Jesus was not a communist and God did not ordain a liberal government, but perhaps we should vote for one that is more liberating; one ensuring everyone enough to live a decent life. Government is our human attempt to organize Christian compassion and Spirit of the common good into a society with liberty and justice for all. We would all like the government to be more discerning, judicious, and purposeful. That’s why we cheerfully volunteer our votes, voices, and taxes to the cause. We dare not let the voice of Christian compassion be drowned out in the halls of the state.