Many who want to socialize medicine and other aspects of American life and turn them over to government control have found themselves teachers who are willing to tell them what their itching ears want to hear. These ‘teachers’ say that our Christianity requires us to go along with this socialist agenda for the sake of the poor and needy.
One quick question: What do you do with the parable of the talents? In the parable of the talents God reprimanded the wicked lazy servant who hid his talent and refused to do anything with it. What he had was taken from him and given to the servant who was busy using his talent in a way his master was pleased with. Socialism does the opposite: It rewards the wicked, lazy servant by taking from those who are working diligently and giving what they’ve earned to those unwilling to work. That doesn't mean that every poor person is a lazy person, but there's no question that many fall into that category! If a person is disabled and can't provide for himself, I have no problem with a portion of my tax dollars going to help him. The truth is, my tithe dollars are already going to help many, many poor and needy people - and this is the Biblical context for helping the poor!
There’s no question that Christianity obligates us to help the poor. But there is nothing in the Bible that would suggest that assisting the poor should be something regulated by the government. You cannot regulate benevolence. It is an act of compassion motivated by God’s love.
The truth is, much of the poor in America have healthcare provided to them through charitable organizations, hospitals and clinics. Is it on par with the medical care others in this country have access to through health insurance policies or private wealth? No, but it is typically head and shoulders above any ‘health care’ provided in socialist nations. I’ve been there. I’ve seen their socialist health care system and believe me – We don’t want that in America!
