I think I agree with the late Larry Burkett when he said that Franklin Roosevelt's, "New Deal" was actually a bad deal for America. Not that helping the disadvantaged is a bad idea, quite the contrary. The path of entitlement programs have overtaxed our country's resources. Now solubility of government programs like Social Security and Medicare are in doubt. Why? The Baby Boom followed by The Pill has created a kink in the pyramid cash flow principle. The shear numbers game is falling apart because the number of younger working adults isn't growing to meet the number of rapidly aging older adults. Add to that the mentality of entitlement programs and before long we'll see universal health care next. At the rate we're going, Americans will have 50-60% (or more) of their income taken out in taxes.
I think the "New Deal" was a bad deal for another reason. I think it has actually taken away our sense of responsibility to our friends, neighbors and others in general. It's created an "I'm entitled" mentality. It's also created a "let the government handle it" mentality. Don't we have programs to handle the poor and needy and down on your luck kind of people? I don't have to worry about feeding the poor because I pay taxes so that they can have food stamps.
Those who call themselves followers of Christ, the church, has been seriously affected by this cultural trend. In most of the churches that I have either served or attended, very little funds or energy was devoted to ministry to the poor, the hungry, the needy, the down and outers. We spent huge amounts on various internal programs and building payments.
I read passages like this in Ps. 82 and think, "have we as Christians missed a key element in our calling?" At the risk of being accused of preaching social gospel, isn't the church, God's people, supposed to be the advocates for the poor, the weak, the fatherless, the needy, the oppressed? Are we the ones who should be giving a cup of cold water, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting in prison, caring for needs?
As we close in on Christmas, it's easy for us to toss a couple coins in the bell ringer bucket or take a toy to a kid who isn't going to get Christmas. But what about the ongoing daily needs of people? Jesus obviously cared about the needs of people. Look at His life on earth. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, gave sight to the blind, challenged the unjust practices, released the oppressed, unfettered those held captive by demonic control and sin, gave hope to the hopeless, and proclaimed the Good News.
God, give me your eyes to see. Give me your heart and passion. Show me how to minister to those in need around me. I want to follow your path of sharing the Good News of God's love in practical meaningful ways. And not just at Christmas, Lord, but year round. I don't want to promote "New Deals." I want to proclaim the REAL Deal.
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