Welfare, WWJD?

Question

Is the line pretty vague on how far we take Jesus' teachings about taking care of the poor, or is it not? Should we take care of the poor and downtrodden no matter what the cost? Should we trust their intentions of finding work, and even allow single mothers to use welfare as a way to spend time at home with their children?

Answer 1

If Christians were actually doing there job there would be no homeless people in America.

Answer 2

Being a person of God I don't think he should be brought into this one. Of course we are to care for those who need, but I don't think that taking things to level where it hurts the economy or at no cost is right.
Welfare has had quite a few reforms. Yes single Mothers can get help, but only temporarily. Almost all states it is two years and they have to be seeking out a job. After two years they are basically on their own with child support and maybe some assistance. There are a lot of Mothers who are not on welfare or receive assistance who would love to stay at home and spend time with their children but are forced to work to pay the bills. There should be no difference.
I raised two boys, a year apart in age in the Army and did it on my own. It was hard, but I did it. It just takes fortitude and a will to give your kids the best life possible. Not the easiest way out.

Answer 3

This is a difficult question to think about and answer. I am a single mother who works 2 jobs a week..(minimum of 65 hours a week) I would love to not have to do that, and perhaps use welfare funds in order to buy more time with my children! I don't think I would feel guilty about it either. Yes it was my choice to have my children, but the funds are there from people like myself who pay taxes....my family says they would rather have it go to me, than those other people who abuse the welfare system and spend money on rediculous things like TV and other crap at WalMart! So when it comes to being a Christian, there's only so much we can do. I volunteer at Thanksgiving and Christmas at shelters, I donate food and toys to the needy....but I also know that my fellow men were created to stand on their own (with the help of God) and take care of themselves and their families, so I guess I draw the line myself, after I pray about it of course.

Answer 4

Welfare provides an important service, though it does come with an amount of 'snobbishness' that the unwashed memberes of society will be less educated, less likeable than working and motivated people. So we as taxpayers will look upon them as no good scroungers, whereas really they are just disadvantaged. Spending time with children is more important to society than working, surely? children are the future.

I prefer the quote from Little Miss Sunshine
"No-one gets left behind!!!"

If you've just watched Siko, bare in mind that the NHS in the UK is by no means perfect, but at least we look after everybody badly instead of letting the poorer members of society die by the roadside or choose between which fingers to save.

Answer 5

Welfare was developed for the poor and those unable to work due to disability or because they were a single mother who had to stay home with her child. But unfortunately, the system doesn't work that way. Now it's for junkies, drunks, lazy people, illegals, and people looking for a free buck. Those who need it can't get it.

Answer 6

Single moms have a rough time. Often it doesn't pay them to work, because the cost of childcare would take all of their check. It's not fair to judge others for choices they need to make. I was a single mother of 5 children. I cried the day I walked into the welfare office. I did work and hated the necessity of having welfare supplement my income, but I will never apologize for doing what I had to do to feed and house my children.

Answer 7

The Bible does say that if a man does not work, then he should not be able to eat, either. The state is not supposed to support the poor, the widows, and the single mothers...the Church is. But, they often do not, do they?
I am a single mother, I have three jobs and zero child support. I take care of my family MYSELF and I still spend plenty of time with my children.

Answer 8

Welfare was designed to help the poor. But sadly there are a couple that take advantage of the situation but we can't judge the truly needed because of the truly lazy

Answer 9

People are to help themselves. But when they do everything in their power and still come up short, then welfare is a provision that some choose to take advantage of. It's the abuse of welfare that should be frowned upon... but what constitutes abuse? There are many guidelines in place now-a-days to help it from becoming a "free ride".
IMO there is nothing wrong with accepting help when it's honestly needed.

Answer 10

I think that Welfare is set up to help people who are down on their luck. My best thoughts are that hundreds of thousands of people look at Welfare like a lifestyle. They don't know another way. It makes me sad.

No. Welfare is not intended to help women stay home with their children. In my estimation, women who view it like that will perpetuate a life a cyclical poverty to their children. Generations are impacted and affected by this attitude.

Answer 11

i have a friend. she takes welfare and is a single young mom. in her case i believe she deserves it. her life is hard. babys father left her for another girl during pregnancy, and she worked and saved till her duedate. but the savings ran out and while working again was suffering greatly. she was just diagnosed with arthritis and is only 22 years old.

and for those who mentioned it they dont just get benefits. she must attend some sort of training program or work part time. welfare is not permanent it is not forever. it is to get you back on your feet. and also if you get welfare for your first child any future kids DO NOT get it, so people tend to have less kids.



and i firmly believe kids should be with their mothers and not in a daycare.