Whose Responsibility is it to Help the Poor?

I wasn't really in favour of the Occupy movement. It's not that I don't think that wealth should be equitably distributed. But rather, although the protestors were part of the 99% from the perspective of North America, most would be in the 1% from the perspective of the world. (You can calculate where you stand in terms of global wealth here.) And how can we ask others to do for us what we're not willing to do for others who are in even greater need?

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." (Matthew 7: 3-5 NIV)

In the back and forth between left and right, there is a recurring debate. Should we have a big government, with social programs for all, or a small government with a more modest budget? But if there are no social programs, where should the poor turn for help? Should they pull themselves up by their bootstraps and fend for themselves? Should we establish charities and NGOs to meet their needs? Or are government-sponsored social programs the way to go?

My answer: all of the above. Not a single one of these approaches can, on its own, result in an equitable distribution of resources, let alone in a way that treats those in need with dignity. We need to do all we can to help those in need, and not stop until we reach that goal.

When God gave instructions for Israel to set up their system of government in the Old Testament, He built into the system help for the poor. For example, there were laws for leaving food behind in the fields (Deuteronomy 24: 19-22), and for canceling debts (Deuteronomy 15: 1-9). 

I suppose people who want to help the poor but do not want to do it through the government take that position because they like to control exactly how much and when and where they help, rather than paying for programs through taxes with little choice or control. But the truth is, social programs can address problems systematically, unlike charities. But this is what Jesus said about paying taxes, even taxes paid to an occupying foreign force: 

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

(Matthew 22: 15-22 NIV)

I think Jesus gave this response not because He was supportive of the Roman occupation, but because He knew that there were things that were more important than money. The energy you spend fighting to keep your money can be better spent on other things. 

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [...] No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:19-21, 24 NIV)

I live in a land where the government does provide social assistance, which is well and good. But, I cannot use that fact as an excuse to do nothing myself. These programs have their limitations. Besides, cultivating a generous spirit is a reward in itself. 

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21: 1-4 NIV)

So, whose responsibility is it to help the poor? Instead of asking, go out and do something about it! Vote, volunteer, and donate!