I hate to bring Jesus into this, but, what would he say and do with lazy Americans in the land of opportunity?

Question

I know in the first century, Israel was conquered/occupied by Rome. I know that medical cures aren't what they are today. You did have chronically ill people who actively begged for a living back then under those circumstances. Widow's did not have the opportunity in the workforce that women have in the US. He advocated taking care of widows and children. With no welfare system to abuse in the first century, it's hard to know if he'd agree with creating such dependency.

Would he suggest that it's more healthy to rely on God than the government? Would he advocate for self-sufficiency, whenever possible?

Your thoughts...thanks.

valley...he loves everyone, but he occasionally would tell a person "go and sin no more"..what would he teach this idle crowd?

Answer 1

He would remind us of the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30.

28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Answer 2

Your premise is wrong, in that america is no longer ' the land of opportunity, ' the corporate raiders of the eighties decimated one family owned business, after another, leaving in their wake a land devoid of opportunity. They would buy up the small family owned buisness's, and sell them off piece, by piece,allowing the larger corporations to move in, and open up the wal-marts, and the home depots that we have today. Once upon a time, this country was all about the land of opportunity,every small buisness was family owned, but this is no longer the case today.

As for welfare, it worked at one time!! It was in effect our tax dollars raining back down upon each, and every state across the nation,month, after month, thereby creating a trickle UP effect within our economy. Today, we have all but obliterated welfare, and yet our taxes have not reflected a decrease, as the corporations have basically diverted the funds with programs such as h.e.a.p, instead of the check going to the man down the street, the check goes straight to the oil companys, thereby bypassing the local ecomonies by, and ending up in off shore accounts. Thats what they meant when they said " ending welfare as we know it "..the welfare stayed, but it is the corporations that are benefiting from it now.

And lastly, when this country had a strong welfare system, we at the time, were a shining example to the rest of the world to all that was possible in a truly democratic society, as back then, we did not have people living on the streets, the way in which we do today.

What would Jesus have said? I would like to think he would have done as he did at the last supper, Offer up some bread, and a glass of wine. And try and help those in need ~ Welfare..., I think he would have endorsed the concept. ~

Answer 3

Jesus taught us to help the poor--not to find excuses not to.

The faux Christians of the religious right are very quick to make jsudgements--always derogatory--about those less fortunate than they are. Which is absolutely contrary to what Jesus taught.

They like to pretend--because they were GIVEN opportunites like a good school, like not having emmployment denied to them because of the color of their skin, like having good healthand not being disabled--that they are morally superior. Well, they arn't--they, and not the poor--are those of whome Jesus said:

21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7: 21-23, KJV)

Jesus did not tell lus to judge the poor--he said to help them.

Answer 4

Christ made a statement "My Kingdom is not of this world".

Kingdom in today's words means government.

Christ chose not to take part in the affairs of worldly governments (Kingdoms).

He also made another statement "Give to Cesar that which belongs to Cease".

"Seek the Kingdom (government) of GOD and all things will come"

There is a book that describes in Detail how to seek this Spiritual Kingdom (government) with details on what it is and what it takes to beome part of it. The Scriptures.

Being that the Kingdom (government) of GOD is not through any earthly political or church organization. Then Christ has no view on what the earthly governments (Kingdoms) do or the people that make up these governments.

Answer 5

He probably wouldn't do anything. Jesus was a first century Hebrew - and so far, he hasn't come back. After 2,000 years you would think he might have at least stopped by to say hello.

Answer 6

He might just everyone must do his part to help all mankind

Answer 7

He would do miracles to feed them, and to cure their sickness and give them hope for the next time they come to the world rich.

He may give them a little wine too.

Answer 8

"I hate to bring Jesus into this, but, what would he say and do with lazy Americans in the land of opportunity?"

Well, knowing Jesus, he'd love them, encourage them and help them to find a vision for the future.

That's what he did with everyone, except for the people who thought they were just fine as they were.

Edit:

And the parable of the talents refers to spiritual gifts and discernment. Not material or monetary gain. Jesus uses the parable to help describe the Kingdom of Heaven.

Answer 9

He would say ignore those greedy republicans.

Answer 10

The fallacy in your question is that you suggest all people who are aided by the government are "lazy." That is a myopic view of our welfare system. Do you personally know anyone who is genuinely incapable of working due to mental or physical problems? Do you personally know anyone who works 40hrs or more per week, hard, but cannot afford all the necessities to live? Obviously there are millions in that category, including children who simply have parents in that category. Ask yourself the question again, this time taking the truly needy into account.

Answer 11

There is nothing wrong with "helping" your neighbor in need, but it is a sin to see families, generation after generation, mired in a government "HAND-OUT" entitlement program.

Welfare is a sin.