If you believe that poverty can be solved by government, think carefully. How long has poverty been in existence? How long have governments been in existence? Both have existed for thousands of years. Governments can not eliminate poverty. Governments need their people to be dependent on them. When someone is lifted out of poverty, they obtain the power to live by their own means. They no longer need the government. The government loses its power when the people gain power. Poverty is slavery. There is no government that wishes its people to be independent of it. Our founding fathers did. They gave us the chance but over the last 200 years, we slowly gave the power back to the government to the point that now, today, they would not recognize this as the great nation they founded.

Our government claims to be fighting a war on poverty. The 20th century was marked by this war but what progress was made? Why have we never seen any progress? In human history, there has never been a government that was ever capable of eliminating poverty. I fundamentally believe that is not the role of government by definition. History shows throughout all of time that no government has ever solved the issue of poverty. More than not, they have worsened it.

Every time I write my tax check (I have to pay my own taxes as an independent contractor) I think of all the families I could help. I think of all the things I could do that would really make a change in the lives of others. I would like to make the decision where my money goes and who it helps. That’s my job, not theirs.

The world is full of need. From the family in my home town that can’t pay rent to the children in India, Thailand and Nepal forced to become prostitutes, the need is never-ending. It’s not a political argument. It’s a social argument. We, the people, have a responsibility. When we turn this responsibility over to a government, we effectively give up on change ever occurring in the world. We also deny ourselves the responsibility and the personal accomplishment of making change in our world. Government is not going to change. They will continue to slurp up power like a 6-year-old eating Fruit Loops.

My view is that as a Christian, I am dependent on Christ alone. His church is called to feed the poor, to help the widow, to visit the prisoner. Our churches have failed. These are issues that can and should be solved by the church. If our churches would stop worrying about building $5 million buildings and actually reach out to the people in this world, we (the church) could solve the problems of poverty and need. Unfortunately we’re too busy arguing over if you can lose your salvation, or if you can speak in tongues or a multitude of other things that don’t make a difference.

Also, I’m saying that while the church spends so much time “arguing” they could unite under Christ, work together and actually effect change in this world. I know from experience, lots of experience, that many churches will not work together with someone outside their own church or denomination. It’s sad and disappointing because our call from God is to “go” into all the world. Meanwhile we’re too concerned with keeping our circles and boundaries intact.

The church as a whole has allowed consumerism and love of “things” to overcome their love for others. I do feel that one day Jesus will ask us what we did with what He gave us. I don’t think He’ll be very impressed when we show him our super-giant-mega-churches. I grew up in what was once the largest church in the state of Florida. That church does not exist today. I understand the “idea” of the mega-church but I also feel much of the spending that goes on as a result is very wasteful. It causes a debt that binds the church and keeps it from effecting real change in the world, even those with the best intentions. There are many great ministries doing great things. When a pastor drives a luxury vehicle though, there’s a problem of materialism and excess living. I don’t care if the money came from the ministry or personal investments, excessive living is excessive living. Where is the humility in that? What reason will you give the Lord when He asks for your account of why you used his blessings to indulge in your own excessive desires?

I want more than anything to see people in need have their needs met.
I want more than anything to see the broken lives in this world made better.
I want more than anything to see mothers and fathers provide for their children with independence.
I want more than anything to see families and children of every nation have clean water every single day.
We can do this.
We MUST do this.
Will you stand before God and tell him, “No Lord, I didn’t. I thought the government was going to do it.”?

I invite you to please read Matthew 25:31-36