The Poor – Word for the Soul

Government Subsidies

April 26, 2025April 24, 2025 Loring Schultz

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35-36 NLT

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Government subsidies are benefits provided to individuals, businesses, educational institutions, medical facilities, social and economic programs, food distribution to low-income people, and industries involved in agriculture, energy, and housing. Many countries across the world supply these government subsidies. They vary as to the needs of the country and the resources available. For example, China and the European Union provide subsidies in agriculture. Poland, Germany, and France grant fossil fuel subsidies. The United States provides subsidies in agriculture and manufacturing, along with other industries for the advancement of a sound economy and the overall prosperity of its people.

While many government subsidies are beneficial and the taxpayer’s money is well spent, many are not so beneficial, and many need to be streamlined or eliminated. One area needed to be streamlined are the government assistance programs for the poor. Overall, government subsidies given for the health and welfare of the poor and elderly are needed programs. It is the responsibility of the government to care for those who cannot care for themselves and to assist those to be able to care for themselves. There are non-profit organizations that receive government assistance for their programs to feed and care for the poor. My question is, should Christian organizations including churches willingly accept money from the government in caring for the poor?

I have heard it said, and have repeated it many times myself that, ‘if Christians and the church were doing what we should be doing there would be no need for government assistance.’ Christians are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. No, we can’t feed the multitude with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, but we can give what we can and watch the Lord multiply it through others doing the same. The church has a deeper responsibility in caring for the poor than any government. Government assistance is given out of duty and obligation. Christian giving is given out of love for Jesus Christ and love for our neighbor. When we love God with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves the Lord will provide what is necessary to help the poor and hungry through us.

Again, if the church is being the church and Christian organizations are adhering to Biblical standards there should be no need to accept federal money. Going into partnership with the deep pockets of the government may seem logical but it is what is known as a ‘red herring.’ First, the government’s deep pockets are filled with money that is non-existent. Adding to the federal debt when we as Christians can help with this problem is irresponsible and showing lack of faith in our creator. Secondly, once any Christian organization, church, medical facility, or educational institution accepts money from the federal government they have lost full control of administering the gospel message with the services they provide.

Government subsidies have their place in our world today, but they have put a strain on federal budgets across the world. The Christian church can help relieve some of the burden by being the church, being the hands and feet of Jesus, and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

“For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.” (Ro.15:26 nlt)

A Christian Perspective

Spending More to Win Big

April 5, 2025April 1, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” Ecclesiastes 5:10 NLT

Starting today April 5^th, a Mega Millions lottery ticket will cost you $5 instead of $2 here in the U.S… The title of this week’s Christian Perspective, ‘Spending More to Win More’, was a headline last week in our local Sunday newspaper. An article from Kurt Snibbe of the Southern California News Group provided the full-page article including graphs and statistics. Justifying the increase, Snibbe writes, “Officials who run the lottery say there will be bigger prizes won more frequently, along with slightly improved odds. Among the key changes are that the jackpot will start at $50 million instead of $20 million.” (1) The slightly improved odds increase your chances to ‘1 in 290,472,336’ from ‘1 in 302,575,350.’ Sounds like a sure bet to me.

This isn’t a piece endorsing state run lotteries that help create revenue for needed programs, nor is it a reprimand to Christians who place a few dollars in the state’s coffers each week. It is a piece to help us re-evaluate and think through where we spend our money. Are we investing it wisely? How can it be used more wisely to help others? Is God please where it is going? Do we care more about those in need than we do ourselves? Granted state lotteries fund a major portion of education and other needy programs. California for example provided $2.1 billion for education in 2024 from $9.2 billion in lottery sales. From a Christian perspective would it not be better to invest the entire $9.2 billion in education and other much needed services. This would be more beneficial not only in California but in every state in the country. That’s a hard sell but think about it.

The idea we take a vice as gambling and defend its use by giving some of the proceeds to the poor, the very people who are buying most of the tickets and can least afford it needs to be re-evaluated. The ‘Focus for Health Foundation’ reports, “The lottery preys on vulnerable people. The people most likely to habitually play the lottery are typically poor, largely minorities, and often addicts. The Journal of Gambling studies found that lowest fifth in terms of socio-economic status has the highest rate of playing the lottery. Despite the terrible odds of winning money through the lottery, people in financial trouble think the lottery is the only way to accumulate money.” (2)

Christians today need more discernment concerning this issue than in years past. Gambling has been increasing dramatically as almost every state in America has a state lottery and recently added legalized sports betting. This is not only an American problem, but many countries around the world are experiencing the same trends. The poorest among us are being taken advantage of and then there are those who never have enough. Both want to get rich quick. Both are willing to spend more to win big. May we be wise and good stewards with what the Lord has blessed us and help those in need directly rather than through a lottery ticket.

(1) https://www.ocregister.com/2025/03/28/lottery-the-mega-millions-ticket-is-going-to-be-5-soon/

(2) The Lottery: The Poor are Playing, and the Wealthy are Winning – Focus for Health

Devotionals

The Lord’s Work is on-going…….

March 19, 2025March 17, 2025 Loring Schultz

“You will always have the poor among you.” John 12:8 NLT

World Vision reports that according to the World Bank, 712 million people live in poverty across the globe. As of 2022, 38 million people in the United States live below the poverty line, and nearly 90% of children living in either sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia live in poverty. (1) There is much work to do in helping the poor. Yes, the Lord’s work is on-going, it never ends.

Jesus Himself said, “You will always have the poor among you.” (Jn.12:8 nlt) He said that 2,000 years ago, and we can see the truthfulness of His words. Jesus spoke those words in defense of Mary who was chastised for anointing Him with expensive perfume. Jesus’ point was, He would not always be with them, but the poor will always be present. There will be plenty of time and opportunities to help the poor, which is also His desire.

We have several examples in Scripture of doing the Lord’s work concerning the poor. Paul was carrying a gift to the poor in Jerusalem collected by fellow believers, he said “I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.” (Ro.15:26 nlt) James, Peter, and John when endorsing Paul’s ministry said, “Their only suggestion was that (they) keep on helping the poor, which (Paul) has always been eager to do.” (Gal.2:10 nlt) And the Lord God said through Moses to the children of Israel, “There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.” (Dt.15:11 nlt)

Our generation has not missed out on helping the poor, nor has any previous generation. We are all required to be the hands and feet of Jesus and do His work. Caring for the poor and less fortunate in our society is caring for Jesus, for He said, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Mt.25:40 nlt) Let’s keep the work going!

(1) Global poverty: Facts, FAQs, and how to help | World Vision

Devotionals

A Sure Thing for the Poor

August 28, 2024August 27, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The LORD rescues them when they are in trouble. The LORD protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The LORD nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.” Psalm 41:1-3 NLT

Guarantees are hard to come by these days. There is no such thing as a ‘sure thing.’ Certain consumer products are labeled to be guaranteed to work for a specified about of time, but we all know that is not always the case. You are guaranteed a degree by a major university if you study hard and apply yourself, but the school suddenly closes without warning. The same is true in the workplace, you’re guaranteed employment if the company can afford to stay in business. There are no guarantees, or sure things, in life outside the intervention of the Lord God.

David, the author of Psalm 41, gives us the assurance that joy is guaranteed when we are kind to the poor. These first three verses of Psalm 41 correspond to one of Jesus’ Beatitudes given in the Sermon on the Mount. “God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Mt.5:7 nlt) David is ill and sees himself in this psalm he is writing. He was one who had shown mercy and knew the joy he had helping others. David trusted the Lord would show mercy and heal him giving him future joy in helping others who are sick and poor. David understood this as a sure thing.

Joy is extended to us as we give to the poor and meet their needs. The recipient of the gift, the poor, is joyous in the generosity of the giver for the adequate supply of needed substance. David continues noting the blessings bestowed upon those who are kind to the poor. The Lord God will rescue them from trouble and their enemies giving them on-going protection and prosperity. These are signs of a sure thing, guaranteed joy when helping the poor. David was confident God would show him mercy as he had shown mercy to those under his rule who needed help. The Lord will sustain us in our continued efforts to help the poor, bringing joy to all and that’s a sure thing!

Read: Psalm 41 NLT – Psalm 41 – For the choir director: A – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Give to those who ask

July 10, 2024July 9, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.” Matthew 5:42 NLT

One of Jesus’ teachings in His Sermon on the Mount is to give to those who ask. Our world in 2024 has changed from Jesus’ day, but one thing remains true we still have the poor among us. Jesus predicted this in Mark 14:7 when He said, “You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to.” (nlt) We certainly have plenty of opportunity to give to the poor when they ask. But this is not limited only to the poor. For if anyone has need of anything and asks, Jesus tells us to give it to them. Even those who want to borrow from us, it is not for us to say no. Jesus said, let them borrow.

Christ followers are to obey His teachings, which are really commands from our Lord. Will that subject us to be taken advantage of by being deceived by some? Yes, that is very possible. But Jesus said to give to those who ask. The Lord is judge and He will weigh the balances. When it is in our control to give or lend to someone that we have no reason to suspect, we are to follow our Lord’s commands. Christians are to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to give as we have received.

Jesus also said later in that sermon, “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” (Mt.6:20 nlt) Giving to those in need, whether the poor, or a friend or stranger who needs a helping hand is storing up treasures in heaven. It is investing in the Lord’s work with a guaranteed return both here on earth and in heaven. Let us not neglect the Lord’s work and give to those who ask.