Hear My Heart

I want to preface this post with this: When Dave & I were in our early 20s, we did not make much money at all, and we had Medicaid for Shane and received SSI (social security disability) for Shane for about 3 years. This post does not in any way mean that I am against anyone (who is truly in need) using the Government resources - this is what the "system" is designed to do. Yet, it is not  a "parking lot" for people to live in indefinitely. I will be the first one to help some one navigate through the system to receive resources as they are truly needed.


You know, I get really frustrated when I hear people say "don't judge" when they are referring to people who are living on the system. I know and understand that there are honest people out there who are struggling to make ends meet and they need extra help for a season. I have no problem with that. What I DO have a problem with is the fact that our society has built a population of individuals who believe they are "entitled" to receiving government assistance and refuse to work or keep a job so that they can "settle" living off Government handouts. What I DO have a problem with is the ones who sell their food stamps on Craigslist or other sites for cash. What I DO have a problem with is the ones who come out and tell me its "wrong" for me to judge others for their mishandling of Government funds - (which, by the way, is money that I am forced to pay into a broken system through higher taxes - this is not free or new money). What I DO have a problem with is the ones who ask for assistance and then turn their noses up at what you can provide for them as if you are supposed to be their personal store or cash register.

Yes, as Christians we are to help those (WHO ARE TRULY IN NEED) out: Prov 19:17, Matt 25,

However, scripture is also clear that if you CHOOSE to not work, then you do not eat -- 1 Timothy 5:8 and 2 Thes. 3:10-12 -- Laziness is not an excuse.

I have heard mention that Christians should never judge people - however, that is not scripturally sound. We do not have the right to pass judgment over a person's soul nor can we truly discern people's heart motives or intentions - that is God's alone. However, we (you, I, and everyone else) pass judgment over actions every day of our lives. I have the right to decide if I want to help someone pay a bill - I can inspect their history - if they continually come to ask me for assistance each month for a bill - yet they are out partying or spending their resources frivolously, then I have the right to tell them NO - it would be wrong of me to continue enabling someone to mis-manage their funds. Yes God tells us to provide for the poor - yet, He never tells us to enable harmful behavior - we should not be just giving people fish to eat - we should teach them to fish - if they don't want to learn, then that is their problem and I will not be threatened by people's words of 'don't judge me.'