I think your point is well made. And I do agree that, especially in a culture as ours, it can be easy to outsource the responsibility of caring for the hurting around us to the governement and other niched agencies. It seems interesting that many a number of Roman leaders in the days of the early church noted that the Hebrews had almost no need for Roman interference to help them deal with their own poor. The book of Acts recounts that people sold what they could sell and brought the money to the church leaders who then distributed it out to the poor. Paul went around and collected money for churches that were going through especially difficult times.

It also seems important to note that when he was taking the money to the churches, he was defining the term “church” correctly. By church, Paul meant the people that were a part of it. That money went to help those that the church had identified as in need.

Excellent thought Stephen, and it should ring out as a challenge to anyone that is a follower of Jesus.

Peace

I’m also torn on this topic, Jim. We went through a time of not having enough money to handle health care costs for our family even though we both have college degrees and I was teaching full time (being a teacher was pretty much the main reason we couldn’t afford it!) so I have a little personal experience on “the other side of things.” Most of the people who are making the decisions and the people that are most upset about it have never had to make the decision whether or not to visit the doctor or get the medicine because of money or insurance coverage. Not everyone that struggles financially and has inadequate health care is a lazy bum taking advantage of welfare and government services. On a teacher’s salary in NC, our family qualified for medicaid services for our kids! I know the government is not the answer to all of our woes, but I think that many people screaming for no health care reform are a bit out of touch with reality in some ways.

I don’t have a solid opinion, but I fall somewhere in the middle wanting a balance of government intervention combined with accountability combined with private charitable help combined with good old-fashioned get out there and work to provide for your family. I guess that means I would be a lousy politician since I want a little slice of everything.

But seriously, Jim, let’s hit some serious topics soon…like puppies vs. kittens. Hope you’re enjoying the snow!