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Mike Winther gives a lecture on the biblical models of charity. He shares several bible passages that talk about charity and then shares five points to define real charity. He also discusses the mechanisms or institutions for meeting needs. He talks about our responsibility, family responsibility, the church, and other organizations.
We also learn about the government and charity. Mike makes the case why the government shouldn’t be providing charity for many reasons including that they would have to take from someone else to do so. This transaction isn’t voluntary. This is a really interesting discussion on principles and following God’s path and making sure that anything done is righteous and biblical.
You’ll Learn:
- [00:49] Charity is an issue that comes in with public policy questions. The government is the biggest provider of charity today.
- [01:19] Governments get bigger than they ought to because of people fearing for their security and the argument that we have to take care of the poor.
- [04:35] Look at how all the New Deal programs of the 1930s made the government grow.
- [05:36] Deuteronomy chapter 10 verses 17 and 19.
- [06:34] Deuteronomy 14 verses 28 and 29. Deuteronomy 24:19.
- [08:12] People are to leave food for the alien, the fatherless, and the widow to glean.
- [08:36] James chapter 1 verse 26. Charity of giving and visiting is also in The New Testament. Acts chapter 6 or the role of the deacon.
- [12:36] When the church does charity properly it enhances the gospel.
- [12:47] Second Thessalonians 3:10. If a man will not work, he shall not eat.
- [13:32] Ezekiel 16. The greatest sin of Sodom was being arrogant, overfed, and under concerned and not taking care of the poor.
- [14:57] Five points that define what real charity is. 1. Charity giving to those in need.
- [15:29] What do the widow, the orphan, and the alien have in common? We are looking to support people who have legitimate needs.
- [17:16] 2. Giving is voluntary. We can give what is ours to give. We can’t give what isn’t ours.
- [18:28] 3. Christians should give out of love including their love of Christ and their love of their neighbor.
- [18:50] 4. We should give the credit to Christ. He provides to us, so we can provide to others.
- [19:59] 5. Charity should include relationship giving as much as possible. We need to meet the recipient when we can.
- [21:56] The institution or mechanisms for meeting needs. As much as possible we should provide for our own families. We are the first defense against poverty.
- [23:19] The third line of defense after family is the church. Fourth line of defense against poverty is other voluntary organizations.
- [24:02] It’s not legitimate for the government to provide charity at all. They can only give what belongs to other people.
- [28:35] Should we violate God’s laws to do good things?
- [31:48] How welfare is a war on the poor.
- [35:24] Economic research is even showing that the cause of poverty is government poverty programs.
- [36:26] The money has to come from somewhere in the form of taxes.
- [38:45] Rearranging resources does not add to the size of the pie.
- [39:12] Providing something that somebody wants adds to the economy and makes you productive.
- [41:04] Prices also go up when there are fewer goods and services.
- [45:18] Davy Crockett was at one time a US congressman. He died defending the Alamo.
- [51:28] When Congress stretches its authority beyond the Constitution there’s no limit.
- [57:30] There’s a battle about who will do charity.
- [58:12] 1. We need to make ourselves independent of government socialism and handouts. 2. We need to get ourselves out of debt. 3. We need to get our church members off of public assistance. 4. We need to get those outside of the church off of public assistance. 5. We need to get our charities off of public assistance. 6. We need to get the government out of charity.