I've seen this trend of ''the poor just need a job'' becoming popular between some evangelicals, and honestly, I'm starting to worry people take it as to mean charity is not a Christian duty anymore. Yes, we are to encourage the idle brother as Paul told us. Yes, we are to work hard for our food and shelter. We are to set an example of hard work and honesty so that no one has anything bad to say about us. But we are to have compassion on strangers, on the immigrant, on our enemies, on our brothers and sisters, and of course, also on the widow on the orphan as most people already know. They are not mutually exclusive. Just because someone is going through a hard time, it doesn't mean that this person is lazy. I've seen the verse of ''if you don't work, don't eat'' taken out of context to neglect the command, yes, command, of helping those in need. That command was for the church, not for outsiders, and even then it's only in those cases where someone really doesn't want to work.
Deuteronomy 15:
If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill willtoward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart;then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Proverbs 21:13
If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
Job 31:
if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a garment, 20 and his heart did not bless me for warming him with the fleece from my sheep, 21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court, 22 then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. 23 For I dreaded destruction from God,and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.
We should be careful with what we support so boldly. I'm not for Marxism, but I believe Charity is a beautiful thing. Charity is not the same as enabling, unless you are indeed enabling someone who is really just being lazy.
Deuteronomy 15:
If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill willtoward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart;then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Proverbs 21:13
If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
Job 31:
if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a garment, 20 and his heart did not bless me for warming him with the fleece from my sheep, 21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court, 22 then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. 23 For I dreaded destruction from God,and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.
We should be careful with what we support so boldly. I'm not for Marxism, but I believe Charity is a beautiful thing. Charity is not the same as enabling, unless you are indeed enabling someone who is really just being lazy.