Personal Responsibility People!

ARGH! I'm frustrated with the people in this country.

We deserve to be a socialist nation. We no longer value hard work, personal responsibility and the consequences of our own decisions.

I hate politics and have started veering away from such conversations. I believe far to often Christians use politics in a nasty way. We lose sight of our greater purpose and get too focused on what the other party is doing wrong.

Today though, I got sucked in. My neighbor was over she mentioned some show she was watching about President Obama and the White House. Over the course of the conversation we got on the topic of the economy and how the government (in my opinion) is over stepping their bounds.

She was complaining about how President Bush wanted to do away with Social Security. I pointed out that SS is going to out of business in a matter of years. She said that SS is her only option because she is not capable of saving her own money.

STOP THE TRAIN.

Why do I have to pay for people who refuse to do what they know they should?

1 Corinthians 16:2
On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

Proverbs 25:28
He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a broken down city without a wall.

Proverbs 21:5
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty; but the thoughts of everyone who is hasty only to poverty.

Proverbs 6:6-8
Go to the ant, sluggard; consider her ways and be wise; who having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provides her food in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest.

Yes, I believe in taking care of those in need. However, I believe when God was telling us to care for the least of them, He was charging the CHURCH not the government to do such.

Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Deuteronomy 16:17
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

Proverbs 22:9
He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

My neighbor has been without a car since Friday. I drove almost 3 hours (round trip) to pick her up. I've let her use my car many times since then and picked up stuff for her at the store. I'm not saying this pat myself on the back, but to say that I believe things like this are what God is calling us to do.
I will never appreciate what the government gives me. They are a big faceless machine to me. However, when my neighbor helps me, I remember it!

People in this country have become like domestic animals. No longer can we go out hunt and bring home what our family needs. We rely on the government to say "Here is your allowance and here's what you need to buy with it."

Giving

I have been listening to the radio this afternoon while doing some sewing. (more on the sewing later)The host decided to make the show all about giving stories. People are calling in and telling how they have blessed other people. I tend to get pretty emotional at these types of stories.

One mom called in, said that she has 3 boys & a girl. She had bagged up their old, but still good, clothing including jackets and shoes. She put them in the car & stopped at the store, on the way to Goodwill or the like. While in line, she noticed a family in front of her with 3 boys & a baby girl, just younger than all of her kids. While it was near freezing outside, the kids had no jackets or even shoes on their feet. She asked the mom if she would take the bags of clothing off her hands. Of course, she said yes. After they loaded the bags into the family's small car, she pulled out $50 and gave it to the mom. The youngest boy, about 3 hugged her legs tightly & kissed her.

Don't forget that Christmas is not about the wrapped boxes under the tree or money in the cards. God gave His Son to us and gave us life and unconditional love. He tells us to Love each other and to spread his Love.

This makes me think about how little I truly do for others. I intend to find something to do before Christmas, and continue to do things throughout the year.

Do you have a story of something you did to bless another person?