Hand-outs vs. Hand-ups
Corey Nieman / Director of Caring Network
I believe the church is the only power great enough to fight against this secular system of handouts. The idea of more government, and more government assistance, assumes God is not sufficient to take care of us. Or that we cannot take care of each other as God designed. The louder our government gets, the quieter God becomes, as He will not compete.
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| Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash |
I know this past year or so has been challenging. I don’t mean to take away from those who lost loved ones, or their jobs, or their business … and I know help comes in many forms, such as a card, a prayer, a meal, a check in the mail. Yet one thing I see great danger in is when we accept hand-outs as opposed to a hand-up.
For example, Jesus often accompanied meeting a need with a lesson of truth. Whether He told the fishermen where to cast their nets (John 21:6) or multiplied the fish and bread at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 14:13-21), Jesus wanted people to experience a miraculous life lesson together. He fed them holistically, mind, body, and soul. Like only He can. The world on the other hand might be able to assist the body or the mind but cannot minister to the soul.
Jesus was out to meet needs and present truths for a greater goal. But why? Isn’t that enough? No, Jesus was out to build trust and a relationship that could be potentially longsuffering, as in the case of the disciples.
Jesus was out to meet needs and present truths for a greater goal. But why? Isn’t that enough? No, Jesus was out to build trust and a relationship that could be potentially longsuffering, as in the case of the disciples.
As I see our country giving out more “free money” and “healthcare” and “scholarships” and “food”, I grow concerned. Whose provisions are we relying on ... God’s economy, or man’s? Are people following the scriptures to leave extra for the poor, or are we just relying on the taxing of the rich to care for the poor? And then what? Because salvation is really the endgame for Jesus, while co-dependence is the endgame for the enemy. The enemy wants to buy your affections, whereas God wants to free you from such bondage. As God knows we are all built to serve, and He is the only good Master, yet we are all free to choose where we spend our time, talent, and effort in worship.
I believe the church is the only power great enough to fight against this secular system of handouts. The idea of more government, and more government assistance, assumes God is not sufficient to take care of us. Or that we cannot take care of each other as God designed. The louder our government gets, the quieter God becomes, as He will not compete.
Yet His still small voice is all we have to overcome the world. Particularly if and when the end times are upon us. Only God can lead us out of such darkness. So when a need arises, and they always do, turn to God and the church first and let Him guide your path and you will receive much more than just a hand-out.