Our Constitution talks about providing for the general welfare. State and local governments also see it as their obligation to provide for the welfare of their members, so it’s been a very long time in the life of this country that it has been seen as government’s job to help people. You are correct, of course, that if Christians were doing all those things, government wouldn’t need to or would, at least, need to do them less. So, I presume you are “casting stones” at all those Republican and Democratic Christians who are not doing their jobs. Wouldn’t your comments also apply to McCain since he is also suggesting government programs to feed the poor, etc.?

In answer to your question: ” Since when is it the government’s job to do what Jesus is saying the church should be doing?” Since the people of the churches are not doing it, the churches are not doing it and those who are doing it asre arrested (Orlando, Florida).
Also, the Governments are under the accountability of Jesus. If we are to be a “Christian Nation”, under God, then we as a nation are accountable “For the people and by the people” to do the will of Jesus.
Obama did community service for two years in Chicago, McClain served in the military. Which one followed Matthew 25?
What are you doing that reflects Matthew 25? Casting stones does not feed the hungry or shelter the homeless are care for those who can’t care for themselves. If our churches and church people won’t do it then a “Nation Under God” must!

I guess unborn children are not included in the “least of these” mentioned in Matthew 25…

What is keeping the church from doing it’s job now, Michele? Should we sit around and wait for the hungry to die off some more until the church decides to stop building multi-million dollar buildings and starts doing their job of caring for the poor?
I’m sorry, Michele, but if the church will not do its job, someone has to.

“What are you doing that reflects Matthew 25?”
Demanding that someone disclose their personal charitable works is the lowest of possible shots because you know very well we’re supposed to do good works in private, without recognition. It’s tantamount to accusing someone of lying with absolutely no proof. Although I won’t insist on confirmation, I bet that Michell does more than any four of you lefty haters combined.
Thanks for discoursing like a Neanderthal, “Paul”

Actually what’s need is a PAC of Christians on Obama called the Matthew 24 PAC with an emphasis on Verses 4 and 5:
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, “Take heed that no man deceive you; for many shall come in My name, saying, `I am Christ,’ and shall deceive many.”

ZZ…speaking of discoursing like a Neanderthal…why are we “lefty haters?” Now, you can claim Michele’s good works are greater than any of ours…maybe they are, but the truth is that you don’t know anything about me either and you just did what you accuse Paul of doing. I am perfectly content to say that Michele wins the good works award. My comments and some of the others were not directed towards her good works, but to her political position. I agree that her good works or lack thereof are not relevant to this discussion.

The comment “What are you doing?” was rhetorical, not met to be invading. Sorry if it was taken the wrong way.
We must examine ourselves and ask if what we are doing is truly reflective of God. Obama disclosed that he and his wife donated nine million dollars to charity and that only reflects 6.5% of his income. McCain has not disclosed how much he donated and that does bother me. Aren’t we supposed to give a tithe 10% minimum?
I’m not saying that Obama is a better Christian, but there is evidence that he is trying. And lest we forget, we ALL fall short of the glory of God and none deserve Salvation.
The question is not what have you done, but are you doing what Jesus wants you to do.

You call me a “Neaderthal” ZZ, but the comment that I sent Michelle never was posted.
I still stand by the comment I made that when we live in a “Nation uinder God”, that nation better be doing the works of God. If the churches can’t carry the load, then it is up to the government to fulfill God’s call to care for the people.
Orlando Florida seems to theink that when people feed the homeless they should be put in jail. How Godly is that?

It has long been a pattern for the government to wait and see what programs The Church (in any and all forms) runs, and then to pick them up and run them themselves. Everything from public school to assistance for the poor and less affluent has fallen happened in this way. If a nation cannot – or worse, will not – care for its own less powerful people it is sure to crumble under the weight of its own corruption. More often than not it is The Church whose leaders (lay & clergy) discern a need and begin to meet it. Then the governemtn sees it as an opportunity. In a good way the gov. loks at ways to help. In a bad way the gov sees a way to garner favor/votes/influence. Either way the goal is met – people are fed, clothed, cared for, educated, safe, and all the rest. Anything other than that and the government is not worth much.

If you were to read my comments on other entries, you might be surprised that I wholeheartedly agree with Michelle that it is the business of Christians to do their own good works. I just don’t think it is also the business of Christians to criticize those who aim to do the same under a different label.

“Our Constitution talks about providing for the general welfare. State and local governments also see it as their obligation to provide for the welfare of their members, so it’s been a very long time in the life of this country that it has been seen as government’s job to help people. You are correct, of course, that if Christians were doing all those things, government wouldn’t need to or would, at least, need to do them less. So, I presume you are “casting stones” at all those Republican and Democratic Christians who are not doing their jobs. Wouldn’t your comments also apply to McCain since he is also suggesting government programs to feed the poor, etc.?”
No, I’m not “casting stones” at anyone. I’m merely noting that you don’t fulfill Matthew 25 by trying to get government to do something about poverty.
I don’t believe the federal government has the ability to alleviate the root causes of poverty and wastes billions of dollars doing so.

“Also, the Governments are under the accountability of Jesus. If we are to be a “Christian Nation”, under God, then we as a nation are accountable “For the people and by the people” to do the will of Jesus.”
We are not a Christian nation. There is no such thing:
ESV John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

“Obama did community service for two years in Chicago, McClain served in the military. Which one followed Matthew 25?
What are you doing that reflects Matthew 25? Casting stones does not feed the hungry or shelter the homeless are care for those who can’t care for themselves. If our churches and church people won’t do it then a “Nation Under God” must!”
It appears that you are doing your own stone casting doesn’t it? It’s a good thing that I won’t be judged by you because your judgment appears to be limited to one particular aspect of each of our lives. I’m a blogger and you’ve limited your judgment to a few of the posts that you’ve read of mine without any knowledge of my personal life. McCain fought in a war and yet you haven’t mentioned his votes in the Senate or his personal life. Do you think that because Obama worked in his neighborhood that he fulfilled Matthew 25. Tell me how.

“I guess unborn children are not included in the “least of these” mentioned in Matthew 25…”
I believe that the “least of these” includes the unborn as well and I believe that God would have the church advocate for the unborn. We do so by supporting crisis pregnancy centers and trying to get them outlawed. We have to involve the state because we are unable to outlaw them ourselves, obviously.
Now, let me ask you, how do you see this passage fulfilled by the government? Will God grant government workers salvation because they helped the poor?

Michele: “No, I’m not “casting stones” at anyone. I’m merely noting that you don’t fulfill Matthew 25 by trying to get government to do something about poverty. I don’t believe the federal government has the ability to alleviate the root causes of poverty and wastes billions of dollars doing so.”
Actually, you were casting stones…certainly at Obama. That’s why you posted it. You don’t like him, so you post negative things about him. I do like him, so I defend him.
But, you said originally, “Since when is it the governments job to do what Jesus is saying the church should be doing?” That was answered.
Now, you can argue that the government does not have the ability to alleviate the root causes of poverty. Apparently, Jesus didn’t think anyone did, because he said that the poor will always be with us. But, governments and Christians have the obligation to take care of people. Governments have an obligation to take care of their citizens, regardless of Christian obligations.
As to whether you don’t fulfill Matthew 25 by trying to get the government to do something about poverty, I partially agree. That’s not all you should do. But, no one is saying that it is. There are lots of ways to fulfill Matthew 25 and working to have government alleviate suffering is one. Maybe the programs are flawed, but they are an attempt. Certainly, better programs can be devised. James Madison said, “If men were angels, they wouldn’t need government.” But they’re not. Now maybe if all Christians fulfilled Matthew 25, we wouldn’t need government to do anything, but they don’t.

I am shocked to find myself in general agreement with Michelle twice in one day.
I have contributed to the local crisis pregnancy center for about 20 years and I do believe that the unborn count. Where I differ from many right to lifers is on issues like ectopic pregnancy and, actually, late-term abortion. A late-term abortion is hideous. The image is vivid. If, however, the result is prevent something even more hideous, that is, the child (please note my use of language) being aborted was sure to be stillborn anyway and cervical delivery would prevent future pregnancy, then, maybe, maybe, in my mind it could be justified. The situation is hard enough for the mother and father and doctor without law enforcement and high-minded protestors making it worse. What I do not want is the State applying crude rules to delicate situations. I do believe, however, abortion ends a child’s life, and is greatly to be avoided unless another child’s life or the mother’s life is at stake. Then it may be a horrible best of bad alternatives, including the alternative of doing nothing. I am convinced, however, that simplifying a horrible choice for political gain is evil, whether done by Democrat or Republican. And supporting women in pregnancy is just a plainly Christian thing to do. Maybe Michelle and I will agree yet again on something.
Now back to Matthew 25. Of course Christians need to be about their good works regardless of government. But if the government also provides, one, we don’t have to go on vacation, and, two, why not rejoice when needs are truly met, however they are met? I’m guessing somebody here will tell me…

first of all, michele, who says that we are stepping out of the way to let government do it? i’m happy to do my part, and happier that i live in a country where our government cares about the welfare of its people and is willing to do something about it.
while i do what i can, i don’t have the money or the presence or the power to care for all of the weak, sick, and poor in this country. that’s why i will pay taxes so that the government can do what i cannot.