Monday, March 06, 2006

Is my attitude about New Orleans victims "un-Christian?"

In response to this post, I recieved some comments that ridiculed me as being un-Christian. (I did not approve these comments as they were rude.) Some people just really don't know much about Christian teachings. Consider 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12:
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

Now, it is true that this passage is aimed primarily at Christians and specifically to the Thessalonians, but it is a teaching that is applicable to everyone. It's great that people receive assistance when a disaster destroys their homes and livelihood, but that assistance should NOT become the person's life. It's been six months since the hurricane. Why are so many people still living on assistance? Why have they not found jobs and homes of their own? They are, in fact, idle. This sort of behavior should not be encouraged. We should certainly help people, but that means we help them back on their feet! If they don't want to go along with that, then it's time to end the assistance they've been receiving and to teach them that their idleness means they shall not eat.

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