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Community Reponse, Not Government Response
In tough times, do those of us who handled our finances responsibly have a moral obligation to bail out those of us who didn't? Are we our brother's keeper economically?
In the Old Testament, one of the most poignant stories that speaks to this question is the story of Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 37-47). Here you have someone who is left for slavery, and becomes the savior of the very people who betrayed him. To me, this says so much about the generosity of the Kingdom of God, which is not deficient of mercy for others. In fact, the love of God is completely "other" centered. That is -- it is focused on gift to other, above self.
The reason we are in this economic mess is the exact opposite -- self above everyone else. The only way truly out of this is through a generation of selflessness. We need the people of God to be in the forefront of this activity, sharing with those who go without. It is in providing for one another that we make evidence the invisible love of God. But being your brother's keeper truly shines in a free and open society where we realize that true charity is not the responsibility of government to regulate. True charity is a free response of the human heart, and, in fact, to leave it in the hands of the political establishment is to begin a downward turn in which we distance ourselves from a divine love that inspires the soul to be "other" focused.
By
Matt Maher
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March 9, 2009; 5:45 AM ET
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Posted by: RebeccaRH | March 10, 2009 8:21 PM
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"But being your brother's keeper truly shines in a free and open society where we realize that true charity is not the responsibility of government to regulate. True charity is a free response of the human heart, and, in fact, to leave it in the hands of the political establishment is to begin a downward turn in which we distance ourselves from a divine love that inspires the soul to be "other" focused."
It is interesting that you chose the passages from Genesis that you did, as they would seem to go against this sentiment from your quote. In the narrative, it is the government of pharaoh, headed by Joseph, who is able to bring stability to Egypt. Indeed, the author seems to even laud Joseph for his role in securing the land for pharaoh's control. I agree that there needs to be a movement within the human heart. Absent of that, however, there needs to be something in place to make sure that the poor are not continually and to even greater degrees marginalized, and this in spite of where people's hearts are at. This, so I believe, is the role of government. Sts. Paul and Peter both seem to indicate that it is the role of government to enforce the good. Well, ensuring that the poor are looked after is a good thing, as Jesus indicates throughout his earthly ministry.
Posted by: DaveL2 | March 6, 2009 3:17 PM
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http://www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/FCStatement.pdf
Particularly note paragraphs 77-79. Government is a proper medium of society through which we can be others-focused. This does not exclude the work of charitable organizations, as paragraph 78 notes; the two should work together to protect the poor and vulnerable of society.
"It is in providing for one another that we make evidence the invisible love of God." - great line! Keep up the good work!