I don't understand why so many conservatives and Republicans are against Obama's healthcare reform plan. Aren't most of these people Christian? Don't they have some moral sense? Why is it such a huge problem to give up a little bit more of my money to help someone else who has a great need?
The Bible not only tells me to give charity, but to give it without announcing myself - to give it without expecting praise.
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:1-4.
And isn't a tax just that? Giving without expecting praise - giving because it is my duty to give, to help? I am always happy to give. I am always happy to help. And I am blessed for this:
"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:8-10.
Sure, what I'm giving is not food, but like food, health is something we need to survive. It's synonymous.
"...Learn to do good, seek justice; rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:17.
"...Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Matthew 22:39 .
I support Obama's healthcare plan, because I support the Bible and what it says. I do good because it is the right thing to do, and I do not expect any great reward because the best reward is knowing I have helped someone. Any
true Christian would feel the same. But perhaps there is some truth in what atheists here in the United States claim - that many of us Christians are only Christian until we must act the Christian way. I know I'm not one of these people. I know I'm acting the way Jesus would want me to.
I read
this article today, and I thought it summarized everything I wanted to say:
"Today we pray, each in our own custom, for discernment, boldness, clarity and leadership in each segment of our society so that we may find the resolve to achieve health reform worthy of this land. As we together pursue this vision our direction is certain-it is toward the common good. The prospect of high-quality, affordable health care for everyone is a measure of our wholeness as a nation.
We pray that our best minds and kindest hearts might be joined in this effort so that all men, women and children will have the health care they need to live the lives for which they were created. We stand ready to give our support and energies to its achievement."
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