I have recently been in wild debates on taxes, the
government and churches roles in society. The discussion eventually ends up
being one of compassion and what would Jesus do. The supporters of larger
government help says they are doing what the churches will not. The church
should handle the needy, but they tend to test and teach which many don’t want.
The other day Pastor Brian at our new church made me rethink this altogether. Matthew
26:11 tells us no one, be it an individual, church or government, can eliminate
poverty:
For ye have
the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
Now Pastor Brian’s sermon was on Matthew 21:31-46 on the
parable of the sheep and goats. The sheep are allowed into heaven and the goats
are not. One group feed the hungry and clothed the poor while the other did
not. Both groups mentioned that they never saw Jesus needing help, but one
group was serving the needy while the other dismissed them.
The first revelation I got from this was the church and
state debate on who can handle the poor. The key I saw was it was neither party’s
responsibility, but rather our own personal responsibility! We go to church and
feel good about helping the poor since the church does or write our tax check
knowing we help the poor, while stepping away from the beggar in the street
(refer to Luke:25-37 for the parable of the Samaritan).
We need to stop expecting others to do the “dirty work” and
roll up our sleeves and help those around us. Not by giving to a ministry for
the needy, but by helping the needy. Believe me it is not clean and can get
ugly at times, but does it matter if it is the deciding factor into the
kingdom?
I have never been a once saved always saved doctrinal kind
of guy, so when I see people who believe in Jesus get turned away from heaven I
want to see why. Matthew 7:21 is one of those verses that make me wonder:
Not every
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but
he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Will I be calling “Lord, Lord” and not be let in? Will I be
a goat and not a sheep? Did I do for others what I would do for Jesus?
Questions abound, but the one clear thing is paying taxes or giving to my
church does not absolve my responsibility in helping those in need … according
to scripture!! So this may be a rattlesnake that gets you hopping