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From Deuteronomy, Ch. 15:
"7. "If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; 8. but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks. 9. "Beware that there is no base thought in your heart, saying, `The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,' and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to the LORD against you, and it will be a sin in you. 10. "You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings. 11. "For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, `You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.' 12. "If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, then he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall set him free. 13. "When you set him free, you shall not send him away empty-handed. 14. "You shall furnish him liberally from your flock and from your threshing floor and from your wine vat; you shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. 15. "You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today."
So, let's stop with the tax cuts for the rich and benefit and aid cuts for the poor. The Bible does not say "God helps those who help themselves". Rather, it commands us to help those in need. God reminds us that there will always be poor people. It does not say that "all those people wouldn't be poor if they would get a job, have no pity on them". The Bible says that we should have pity and charity whether these people "deserve" it or not. We all deserve it. Those who are blessed with plenty should not keep the blessings for themselves, but rather show their thanks by sharing their blessings with those who are less fortunate.
That's my sermon this Labor Day. Thanks for attending :)
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