Christianity and the Welfare State

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Christianity and the Welfare State
The word WELFARE stirs a lot of emotion. What
does it mean to you? http//www.youtube.com/wa
tch?v4BlwKgeFHI4
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What is the Welfare State?

• Describes government departments and other
  organizations that take responsibility for the
  health and well-being of the population

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Biblical Evidence supporting the Welfare State

• 1. Ten Commandments
• Most widely respected code of laws
• ?1-4 - covers relationship of the
  worshipper with God
• ?5-10- covers social relationships
  between human beings (people believed that
  support was needed from the government
  to ensure healthy individuals)

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• 2. How is the Golden Rule related to the Welfare
  state?
• Welfare state is based on the principle that
  those who are working and earning should support
  those who are too old or ill to work

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The Parable of the Sheep and the GoatsMatthew
25 31- 46
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• 3. Parable of the Sheep and Goats
• Depicts everyone appearing before Jesus, as
  their judge, at the end of time
• People are divided into 2 groups
• The sheep
• The goats
• The sheep are invited to enter Gods kingdom
  because, Jesus tells them, they have fed and
  clothed him when he needed it
• This is a responsibility that the Christian
  Church has taken seriously. It has fed the
  hungry, given water to the thirsty, befriended
  the stranger, clothed the naked and nursed the
  sick

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Jesus and Charity

• Many of his sayings and teachings focused on
  caring for the poor in the Kingdom of God
• Matthew 2535-40 says
• Then the King will say to those on his right,
  Come, you who are blessed by my Father take
  your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you
  since the creation of the world. For I was hungry
  and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty
  and you gave me something to drink, I was a
  stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes
  and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked
  after me, I was in prison and you came to visit
  me.Then the righteous will answer him, Lord,
  when did we see you hungry and feed you, or
  thirsty and give you something to drink? When did
  we see you a stranger and invite you in, or
  needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see
  you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'The
  King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever
  you did for one of the least of these brothers of
  mine, you did for me.'
• LESSON You express love for God by expressing
  love for the poor and disadvantaged.

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Examples

• Matthew 1921
• If you wish to be complete, go and sell your
  possessions and give to the poor, and you shall
  have treasure in heaven and come, follow Me.
• Luke 198-9
• And Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord,
  'Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give
  to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of
  anything, I will give back four times as much.'
  And Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come
  to this house, because he, too, is a son of
  Abraham
• Luke 1413-14
• But when you give a reception, invite the poor,
  the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will
  be blessed, since they do not have the means to
  repay you for you will be repaid at the
  resurrection of the righteous.

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Philanthropy

• Philanthropy Defined as the voluntary effort to
  increase the well-being of humankind

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Tithing

• Tithing Giving a tenth of the yearly
  
  crop as an offering to God or to give a tenth
  of one's income towards supporting the Church or
  other religious organizations
• Jesus was critical of the Scribes and the
  Pharisees because they tithed but neglected
  important matters like mercy and justice
  giving money is not enough

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The Salvation Army

• An international Christian church
• Its message is based on the Bible its ministry
  is motivated by love for God and the needs of
  humanity

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• Mission Statement
• The Salvation Army exists to share the love of
  Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a
  transforming influence in the communities of our
  world.
• Core Values
• There are three core values of our faith
  Salvation, Holiness and Intimacy with God.

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Philanthropic Figures
George Clooney-Actor

• Known for his humanitarian work in aiding the
  Darfur conflict, organizing Hope for Haiti Now,
  his involvement in Not On Our Watch and many
  other organizations and personal tasks to end
  oppression and world suffering of many types.

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J.K. Rowling-Author

• President of One Parent Families, and advocate
  for social equity

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Angelina Jolie-Actress

• Well-known for her humanitarian world wide and
  who is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN
  Refugee Agency

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Chris Martin-Musician

• Lead singer of British alternative rock band
  Coldplay. He is known for supporting the Make
  Trade Fair campaign. He and his band also
  contribute 15 of their money to charity.

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Oprah Winfrey

• Estimated donations above 300 million (US), and
  founder of Oprah's Angel Network

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Activity Step 1 - Think of something that you
or your family desperately need that would make a
profound difference in you lives. Write this on
a piece of paper.
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Activity Step 2 Ask yourself, if you need
it this badly, why dont you have it already?
People are in need of Food, Water, Shelter,
Medical Care that do not have it http//www.youtub
e.com/watch?v3Jj6pqajvB8