God's Welfare System

Leviticus 19:9-10 (NKJV)

'When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God.

Our governmental welfare system is broken. It discourages those who are on it from getting married, it encourages them to have even more illegitimate children, and it discourages them from finding work.

Notice God's welfare system above. The poor have the right to glean in the fields around the edges and corners, and they are allowed to follow behind the harvesters to pick up what ever may have been dropped. Not only are the poor allowed to do this, but the landowners are commanded to leave these behind for this specific purpose. However, the poor must work for their sustenance; it is not handed over to them.

Our welfare system is a modern invention. Perhaps we should rethink the whole thing.

1 Timothy 6:18 (NKJV)

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,

1 John 3:17 (NKJV)

But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?