The welfare of our fellow man is being taken "care of" by the government. Perchance the state of this Nation is due to the complacency of the very people who are called to do these things below.
King James Version Matthew 25: 41-46
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
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King James Version Matthew 25: 41-46
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
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Human nature- we tend to surround ourselves with like people. Those that are doing their part in helping the homeless, sick, etc... are "the Christians you know doing what they can" they are fellow believers in your circle be that church or any other Christian based organization intent on helping as the Lord called upon us to do. Does that mean the population on whole of people professing some form of Christian faith are doing their part? I've seen the percentage of professed Christians in the US in the low 70's percent and as high in the upper 80's percent.
The Consensus Bureau says the US population as of 2009 is 307,006,550.
70% of that is 214,904,585 as a low number.
89% of that is 273,235,829 as a high number.
HUD's Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress states the following-
"About 1.6 million people were homeless in emergency shelters or transitional housing at some point during the year between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008. The nation’s sheltered homeless population over a year’s time included approximately 1,092,600 individuals (68 percent) and 516,700 persons in families (32 percent). A family is a household that includes an adult 18 years of age or older and at least one child. All other sheltered homeless people are considered individuals." -this was the most current report I could find. Likely higher numbers given the state of our economy.
As I previously stated - Perchance the state of this Nation is due to the complacency of the very people who are called to do these things below (see above scripture.) I have the bigger picture of the population of professing Christians on whole... not any one Christian.
1.6 million homeless vs even the lower number of 214,604,585 Christians. I don't see that as putting the blame where it is most convenient. I see that as putting the responsibility where Christ said it belongs. Not the Government. Yes, there are real places in community that the Government belongs. However, IMHO if even half of the lower number of professing Christians were ministering to the needs of our Nation... think of how the Lord could bless their giving (not just monetary giving) and multiply it. That is a basic Biblical principal. Sewing a seed. Reaping a harvest. Whether that seed is money or time or prayers.
Imagine the freed up money the Government spends on welfare in all of it's applications - be that an access card to cash assistance from Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LI-HEAP). Just imagine our Education System, Strengthening our Military, Research for HIV, Cancer... the list in magnificent... and yes... money to help other countries. I firmly believe if we help our Country we are better able to be in a position to help other countries. And we should because then ... that is the Lord's words in Matthew 25 on a grand scale.
I realize the homeless is not the biggest or only problem. I adduce any professing Christian would adhere to Christs words in Matthew 25 regardless of the translation.
I believe our Nation is Great... but to whom much is given much is required. We have been blessed.... beyond measure. We are by far and large faring better than oh so many in the world. Charity to our home, Our Nation is deeply needed.
The Consensus Bureau says the US population as of 2009 is 307,006,550.
70% of that is 214,904,585 as a low number.
89% of that is 273,235,829 as a high number.
HUD's Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress states the following-
"About 1.6 million people were homeless in emergency shelters or transitional housing at some point during the year between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008. The nation’s sheltered homeless population over a year’s time included approximately 1,092,600 individuals (68 percent) and 516,700 persons in families (32 percent). A family is a household that includes an adult 18 years of age or older and at least one child. All other sheltered homeless people are considered individuals." -this was the most current report I could find. Likely higher numbers given the state of our economy.
As I previously stated - Perchance the state of this Nation is due to the complacency of the very people who are called to do these things below (see above scripture.) I have the bigger picture of the population of professing Christians on whole... not any one Christian.
1.6 million homeless vs even the lower number of 214,604,585 Christians. I don't see that as putting the blame where it is most convenient. I see that as putting the responsibility where Christ said it belongs. Not the Government. Yes, there are real places in community that the Government belongs. However, IMHO if even half of the lower number of professing Christians were ministering to the needs of our Nation... think of how the Lord could bless their giving (not just monetary giving) and multiply it. That is a basic Biblical principal. Sewing a seed. Reaping a harvest. Whether that seed is money or time or prayers.
Imagine the freed up money the Government spends on welfare in all of it's applications - be that an access card to cash assistance from Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LI-HEAP). Just imagine our Education System, Strengthening our Military, Research for HIV, Cancer... the list in magnificent... and yes... money to help other countries. I firmly believe if we help our Country we are better able to be in a position to help other countries. And we should because then ... that is the Lord's words in Matthew 25 on a grand scale.
I realize the homeless is not the biggest or only problem. I adduce any professing Christian would adhere to Christs words in Matthew 25 regardless of the translation.
I believe our Nation is Great... but to whom much is given much is required. We have been blessed.... beyond measure. We are by far and large faring better than oh so many in the world. Charity to our home, Our Nation is deeply needed.
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