this question is for christians.........?

Question

If you know someone who is abusing the welfare system and claiming to be a Christian, would you feel obligated to report them to the authorities?

It's been rumored that this person, whose husband WILL NOT work and is living with her and the children on section-8 is using falsified info to obtain benefits. The husband is young and healthy and just plain refuses to work, even when he has been helped to secure employment. There are 5 children involved and it would greatly impact there lives.
What is a Christians obligation in a matter like this?
Thanks for all serious answers.....as lives are hanging in the balance.

Thank you all for your answers they really hit home...her husband is a parasite, but she allows him to be such. Many people know it's a fact what she's doing, but no one wants to get involved because of the kids.....this is a heavy load to deal with. *sigh*

Seattle52, it has been brought to my attention that many people have done their "christian duty" by helping this woman.....but the point is....it is her healthy husband's responsiblity to care for his own, and if he would step up to the plate, then the taxpayers and the christians wouldn't have to.

SMILES.....she is dedicated and he is an unbeliever, it appears to some that having him is more important than doing what is right. She uses her maiden name to receive benefits and he lives off that....it is a horrible, horrible situation and nobody wants to get in it...and many have pulled away from association with her. At first some thought she was single and would help in anyway possible with the kids, but then found out that she was indeed married and not making him take responsibility for his family. She knows she's wrong, but chooses to look the other way. Sometimes I'm so sorry that I brought this up, but it's eating away at a few consciences...mine included.
Thanks to all my brothers and sisters for answering and offering guidance....I truly appreciate it. Agape love to you all.

Answer 1

no I would not get personally involved; just pray and leave it in the hands of God; He has His own ways of purging out injustices.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. - 1 Peter 4:15.

Answer 2

My what a difficult situation you have been put in! Ask yourself this question: What would I do if this person did NOT claim to be Christian? Would I feel obligated to report my suspicions? (since there are only rumors and no factual proof, then they are just suspicions) What would I do if I were studying the Bible with such an individual? It can be touchy to ask persons about such personal matters. On the other hand you do not want to cause undue problems by reporting someone who is fully acting within the law. I would seek counsel and guidance from mature Christians, preferably elders before I acted.

Answer 3

Hang on Sugarbee, I'll research ...

EDIT ...
Ah, found it! You may recall Jesus words at Matthew 18:15-17

“If your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.”

The illustration that Jesus subsequently gave indicates that he had in mind such sins as those involving financial matters, including fraud.—Matthew 18:23-35.

I hope this will help with easing your conscious, Sugarbee.

~ EDIT ~
Hey Sugarbee,
So the sister seems to wilfully disregard the bible principles? And others in the cong know this. Do the elders know also? If they do, then you can be sure that you are doing the right thing by treating her "as a man [in this case woman] of the nations and as a tax collector" (Matthew 18:17). Limit assosiation with her.

If you want to report her to the authorities, my personal thoughts are that you will need to tell her this. I know, it takes a lot of courage to do so. Prayers help. Or maybe you can have a discussion with the elders about reporting her yourself. See what they say ...

It's a difficult situation for you and I hope it workd out well for your conscious ...
Agape ;-/

Answer 4

Sounds to me like the Christianity issue is more important to you than welfare fraud. How is it abusing the welfare system to ask for help with 5 children? You must be quite close to this family to know of falsified info; perhaps you can help them out yourself. That would be a true Christian attitude, don't you think? As far as a husband who won't work, I would venture to say that probably half the men on welfare are abusing the system by lying in some capacity. Many times I have stood in grocery lines behind some drug dealer who has diamonds all over his hands, pulling out a big roll of cash to get to his food stamps. I am a Christian, but that doesn't mean I should go around pointing fingers at people; its not my job. We will all have to face God one day, and it is He who will have the last word on our actions.

Answer 5

Remember as you said, rumors. You need facts. As a Christian you should go to her personally, and express your concern. She sounds like she should be depending on God more, and also not living with a man in sin.

I am not judging. I've done this during my weak times on my walk with Jesus. The Church should be helping her more. She has five children. If they would help her as they should maybe this wouldn't be happening in her life. God Bless!

Answer 6

We are taught to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. We are taught to obey laws so long as they do not attempt to stop us from following Christ. I'd say that, if there is a Christian obligation in this situation, it is to file a report. What life lessons are the children being taught? How does the example being set for them right now agree with the Scriptural admonition (II Thessalonians 3:10):

"If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either." (NASB)

"If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." (NKJV)

"if any would not work, neither should he eat" (KJV)

"if any one is not willing to work, neither let him eat" (YLT)

And other translations pretty much agree. Note that it is unwillingness to work, not inability (such as children are essentially unable to do in our society) that is derided.

Is that the lesson these children are currently being taught? Are they learning the Scriptural lesson or are they learning to expect handouts merely for being lazy?

Answer 7

I think you should pray for them, and leave this in Gods hands. Do they claim to be Christians? If so, they should be counseled by another Christian as to what they are doing is wrong. Otherwise, I would leave this to prayer and to God.

(Very good question, but anything that is done about this should be done with love and not with malice.)

Answer 8

You say that this is "rumoured." You cannot act on suspicion. Besides if the lazy husband is kicked off welfare how does that benefit his wife and children? It is not your place to judge the actions of others, wrong as they may be. Pray for them, commend them to God's mercy, and then stay out of it.


VB8

Answer 9

If anyone calls themselves a " christian", then it is by bible principles that they live. 2 Thesselonians 3:10 says this on the matter of the deadbeat.... " If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat."

Answer 10

I would report him sister. people who need these things cannot get it. they can check it out. don't let them know that you are reporting them because it can come back to you and there can be trouble. pray to Jehovah and let him help you to say the right words

Answer 11

I do not live in a country where people receive benefits, so I'll star your question instead.