Is Welfare a Right?

[Aquila]

Gleaning was not hard work. A widow or an orphan could do it.

But let's not forget the truth of the matter. Though the Law entitled the Levites, widows, poor, orphans, and strangers to the tithe and gleanings.... Israel often denied this right to them, especially the poor, widows, and orphans. Amos is a prophet who strongly rebukes their officials in the gates of the city for allowing land owners to deny the poor their "right" to glean, turning them away to starve as these greedy land owners wallowed in profit.

Amos 5:11-13
King James Version (KJV)
11Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.
12For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.
13Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

The "gate" was where civil disputes where heard. The poor were not being allowed to gather in their wheat from gleaning. The land owners were driving them away from the crops to increase harvest and profits. The poor and the widows would in turn go to the gates of the city and appeal to the officials for "justice". The officials would turn the poor away in the gates, not even hearing their case. Amos promises that judgment will follow for this and other grave sins.

[Aquila]

Interesting article from the Holman Bible Dictionary:

JUSTICE
Holman Bible Dictionary

The order God seeks to reestablish in His creation where all people receive the benefits of life with Him. As love is for the New Testament, so justice is the central ethical idea of the Old Testament. The frequency of justice is sometimes missed by the reader due to a failure to realize that the wide range of the Hebrew word mishpat, particularly in passages that deal with the material and social necessities of life.

Nature of justice Justice has two major aspects. First, it is the standard by which penalties are assigned for breaking the obligations of the society. Second, justice is the standard by which the advantages of social life are handed out, including material goods, rights of participation, opportunities, and liberties. It is the standard for both punishment and benefits and thus can be spoken of as a plumb line. “I shall use justice as a plumb-line, and righteousness as a plummet” (Isaiah 28:17, REB).

Often people think of justice in the Bible only in the first sense as God's wrath on evil. This aspect of justice indeed is present, such as the judgment mentioned in John 3:19. Often more vivid words like “wrath” are used to describe punitive justice (Romans 1:18).

Justice in the Bible very frequently also deals with benefits. Cultures differ widely in determining the basis by which the benefits are to be justly distributed. For some it is by birth and nobility. For others the basis is might or ability or merit. Or it might simply be whatever is the law or whatever has been established by contracts. The Bible takes another possibility. Benefits are distributed according to need. Justice then is very close to love and grace. God “executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and… loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing” (Deuteronomy 10:18, NRSV; compare Hosea 10:12; Isaiah 30:18).

Various needy groups are the recipients of justice. These groups include widows, orphans, resident aliens (also called “sojourners” or “strangers”), wage earners, the poor, and prisoners, slaves, and the sick (Job 29:12-17; Psalms 146:7-9; Malachi 3:5). Each of these groups has specific needs which keep its members from being able to participate in aspects of the life of their community. Even life itself might be threatened. Justice involves meeting those needs. The forces which deprive people of what is basic for community life are condemned as oppression (Micah 2:2; Ecclesiastes 4:1). To oppress is to use power for one's own advantage in depriving others of their basic rights in the community (see Mark 12:40). To do justice is to correct that abuse and to meet those needs (Isaiah 1:17). Injustice is depriving others of their basic needs or failing to correct matters when those rights are not met (Jeremiah 5:28; Job 29:12-17). Injustice is either a sin of commission or of omission.

The content of justice, the benefits which are to be distributed as basic rights in the community, can be identified by observing what is at stake in the passages in which “justice,” “righteousness,” and “judgment” occur. The needs which are met include land (Ezekiel 45:6-9; compare Micah 2:2; Micah 4:4) and the means to produce from the land, such as draft animals and millstones (Deuteronomy 22:1-4; Deuteronomy 24:6). These productive concerns are basic to securing other essential needs and thus avoiding dependency; thus the millstone is called the “life” of the person (Deuteronomy 24:6). Other needs are those essential for mere physical existence and well being: food (Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalms 146:7), clothing (Deuteronomy 24:13), and shelter (Psalms 68:6; Job 8:6). Job 22:5-9,Job 22:23; Job 24:1-12 decries the injustice of depriving people of each one of these needs, which are material and economic. The equal protection of each person in civil and judicial procedures is represented in the demand for due process (Deuteronomy 16:18-20). Freedom from bondage is comparable to not being “in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and lack of everything” (Deuteronomy 28:48 NRSV).

Justice presupposes God's intention for people to be in community. When people had become poor and weak with respect to the rest of the community, they were to be strengthened so that they could continue to be effective members of the community—living with them and beside them (Leviticus 25:35-36). Thus biblical justice restores people to community. By justice those who lacked the power and resources to participate in significant aspects of the community were to be strengthened so that they could. This concern in Leviticus 25:1 is illustrated by the provision of the year of Jubilee, in which at the end of the fifty year period land is restored to those who had lost it through sale or foreclosure of debts (Leviticus 25:28). Thus they regained economic power and were brought back into the economic community. Similarly, interest on loans was prohibited (Leviticus 25:36) as a process which pulled people down, endangering their position in the community.

These legal provisions express a further characteristic of justice. Justice delivers; it does not merely relieve the immediate needs of those in dire straits (Psalms 76:9; Isaiah 45:8; Isaiah 58:11; Isaiah 62:1-2). Helping the needy means setting them back on their feet, giving a home, leading to prosperity, restoration, ending the oppression (Psalms 68:5-10; Psalms 10:15-16; compare 107; Psalms 113:7-9). Such thorough justice can be socially disruptive. In the Jubilee year as some receive back lands, others lose recently-acquired additional land. The advantage to some is a disadvantage to others. In some cases the two aspects of justice come together. In the act of restoration, those who were victims of justice receive benefits while their exploiters are punished (1 Samuel 2:7-10; compare Luke 1:51-53; Luke 6:20-26).

The source of justice As the sovereign Creator of the universe, God is just (Psalms 99:1-4; Genesis 18:25; Deuteronomy 32:4; Jeremiah 9:24), particularly as the defender of all the oppressed of the earth (Psalms 76:9; Psalms 103:6; Jeremiah 49:11). Justice thus is universal (Psalms 9:7-9) and applies to each covenant or dispensation. Jesus affirmed for His day the centrality of the Old Testament demand for justice (Matthew 23:23). Justice is the work of the New Testament people of God (James 1:27).

God's justice is not a distant external standard. It is the source of all human justice (Proverbs 29:26; 2 Chronicles 19:6,2 Chronicles 19:9). Justice is grace received and grace shared (2 Corinthians 9:8-10).

The most prominent human agent of justice is the ruler. The king receives God's justice and is a channel for it (Psalms 72:1; compare Romans 13:1-2,Romans 13:4). There is not a distinction between a personal, voluntary justice and a legal, public justice. The same caring for the needy groups of the society is demanded of the ruler (Psalms 72:4; Ezekiel 34:4; Jeremiah 22:15-16). Such justice was also required of pagan rulers (Daniel 4:27; Proverbs 31:8-9).

Justice is also a central demand on all people who bear the name of God. Its claim is so basic that without it other central demands and provisions of God are not acceptable to God. Justice is required to be present with the sacrificial system (Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8; Isaiah 1:11-17; Matthew 5:23-24), fasting (Isaiah 58:1-10), tithing (Matthew 23:23), obedience to the other commandments (Matthew 19:16-21), or the presence of the Temple of God (Jeremiah 7:1-7).

Justice in salvation Apart from describing God's condemnation of sin, Paul used the language and meaning of justice to speak of personal salvation. “The righteousness of God” represents God in grace bringing into the community of God through faith in Christ those who had been outside of the people of God (particularly in Romans but compare also Ephesians 2:12-13). See Law; Government; Poverty; Righteousness; Welfare.

Stephen Charles Mott

Justice... hmmm....

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

What say you? Do we have a right and expectation to receive a government check for food and housing?

After all this IS America.

We have a right until something takes away that right, such as crimes.

So its more of a conditional right.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Ever wonder if people asked the same question about Education? Ever wonder if people asked the same question about freedom of speech? Ever wonder if people asked the same question about countless other rights that we deem as apparent and undeniable?

My question is: what morally depraved people would rather see people starve and freeze to death than to see the abuse of a welfare system? It's one thing if such a system cannot be financed It's another if it can be financed and we as a nation choose not to. I think the question shouldn't be whether it's their right to have a welfare system.. Instead I think the question should be whether its our moral duty to provide such a system... and I think the answer to that question is a resounding yes!

That's the problem. You don't appear to understand that welfare creates dependence and makes a place for further poverty and helps the local community forget that taking care of one another is our responsibility. Not only by the stifling of good productive business that excessive taxation taxes on small businesses but also by the inevitable human reaction of lessening of the desire to fight for ones survival and that of their families.

Welfare should not come from government. "Welfare" should come from individuals and the community because welfare that comes through those sources recognizes the actual level of need & worthiness of any help.

After decades of welfare we have become a society who doesn't think about doing much more than surface help for one in need because "the government will take care of it.".

But... the line the government feeds us causes society to weaken and government to strengthen until government can no longer carried weakened society and both collapse.

Even then those who drank the "government welfare" Kool Aid will still see it as the fault of those who were against welfare. This issue isn't one about how much we should do on a governmental basis. It's about whether we should or not. And, especially on a federal level, we should not.

It harms society... it doesn't help society.

It isn't with antiquated thinking that the Bible states that a man who doesn't work shouldn't eat. It is with the wisdom of our God and creator that these words are uttered.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

That's the problem. You don't appear to understand that welfare creates dependence and makes a place for further poverty and helps the local community forget that taking care of one another is our responsibility. Not only by the stifling of good productive business that excessive taxation taxes on small businesses but also by the inevitable human reaction of lessening of the desire to fight for ones survival and that of their families.

Welfare should not come from government. "Welfare" should come from individuals and the community because welfare that comes through those sources recognizes the actual level of need & worthiness of any help.

After decades of welfare we have become a society who doesn't think about doing much more than surface help for one in need because "the government will take care of it.".

But... the line the government feeds us causes society to weaken and government to strengthen until government can no longer carried weakened society and both collapse.

Even then those who drank the "government welfare" Kool Aid will still see it as the fault of those who were against welfare. This issue isn't one about how much we should do on a governmental basis. It's about whether we should or not. And, especially on a federal level, we should not.

It harms society... it doesn't help society.

It isn't with antiquated thinking that the Bible states that a man who doesn't work shouldn't eat. It is with the wisdom of our God and creator that these words are uttered.

You share a very popular opinion. And I tend to agree. However, what are your thoughts of this portion of the article I posted above?

The most prominent human agent of justice is the ruler. The king receives God's justice and is a channel for it (Psalms 72:1; compare Romans 13:1-2,Romans 13:4). There is not a distinction between a personal, voluntary justice and a legal, public justice. The same caring for the needy groups of the society is demanded of the ruler (Psalms 72:4; Ezekiel 34:4; Jeremiah 22:15-16). Such justice was also required of pagan rulers (Daniel 4:27; Proverbs 31:8-9).

A few random thoughts...

If biblically the ruler is responsible for social justice with regards to the widows, poor, orphans, needy, and strangers... does this not mean that "God" feels that the government is responsible for the social stability of these social classes? Also, we are a government of the people. We elect private individuals who run for office, representing the people who elect them. Therefore, is not our government an extention of our private society? For social welfare, "justice" as it's biblically defined, is an issue that requires the protection of entitlements by the ruler... how can government not be an agent of said justice?

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

That's the problem. You don't appear to understand that welfare creates dependence and makes a place for further poverty and helps the local community forget that taking care of one another is our responsibility. Not only by the stifling of good productive business that excessive taxation taxes on small businesses but also by the inevitable human reaction of lessening of the desire to fight for ones survival and that of their families.

Welfare should not come from government. "Welfare" should come from individuals and the community because welfare that comes through those sources recognizes the actual level of need & worthiness of any help.

After decades of welfare we have become a society who doesn't think about doing much more than surface help for one in need because "the government will take care of it.".

But... the line the government feeds us causes society to weaken and government to strengthen until government can no longer carried weakened society and both collapse.

Even then those who drank the "government welfare" Kool Aid will still see it as the fault of those who were against welfare. This issue isn't one about how much we should do on a governmental basis. It's about whether we should or not. And, especially on a federal level, we should not.

It harms society... it doesn't help society.

It isn't with antiquated thinking that the Bible states that a man who doesn't work shouldn't eat. It is with the wisdom of our God and creator that these words are uttered.

Same ole same ole. Nothing new, nothing thought through. Just a bunch of half true one sided propoganda.

[Dordrecht]

Governments should not be in the "welfare business".
People should help people. Not steal my tax money to give away to who ever!

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Dordrecht

Governments should not be in the "welfare business".
People should help people. Not steal my tax money to give away to who ever!

And what should happen when people don't help people?

[Dordrecht]

I said people should help people.
I don't want government to tell me where my money should go.

When people don't help people, that's wrong.
But even if that happens, it's still wrong for the government to steal my money.

Just because people don't help means go ahead and steal it!!

[J4Truth]

What is the purpose of government?

Isn't it in part to protect the welfare of its people, both from foreign and domestic?