The Bible outlines a radical plan for compassion and justice…
In fact, the Scripture gives us an “upside down” plan for just about everything.
It begins with personal responsibility.
Then it moves to the family.
Then it grows to the Church.
And, finally, we move to man-made systems and structures like the government.
For instance…
Paul says that if a man doesn’t work, he shouldn’t eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). That is, personal responsibility.
He also tells us that a man who doesn’t provide for his family is “worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8). And, that before a man can lead in the church, he should first prove his ability by leading and loving his family well (1 Timothy 3:4,12).
Sometimes, a family can’t provide everything that’s needed, though. So, Paul tells us to expand our reach to the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). That is, to look at the larger family God has set us in (Psalm 68:6). He says, for instance, that the larger church family can and SHOULD help in relational spheres where families have exhausted their means (1 Timothy 5:1f.). In doing so, we help carry one another’s burdens.
When this happens, very rarely are other means of help needed…
In our day and age, though, we’ve flipped the Biblical paradigm.
We’ve created a system in which men can impregnate women without every taking personal responsibility for the children. The government- a welfare state- will help. Further, that state foster a system that keeps people ensured, dependent upon it for generations…
We’ve gotten in backwards.
In this talk, we discuss places were we see it “right” and various settings and kick around some ideas about what we can do better…
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Links mentioned in this talk-
Website- www.GeorgeGrant.net
In the Shadow of Plenty book- https://amzn.to/2VhEMzz