fellow Christians or to unbelievers, he is under no Scriptural obligation to give to a lazy person who seeks to take selfish advantage of his Christian generosity.

PROFESSIONAL PAUPERS

There are hordes of professional paupers who are known to use every art of deception so as to appear needy and to stimulate sympathy for themselves. On this point Harlam Gilmore in his book The Beggar writes: “Through a skillful combination of old clothes, facial expressions and real or faked physical defect the beggar presents a picture of distress.” This picture is intended by him to cause human compassion to move people into giving him material support without his having to work. Does the Scriptural principle of generosity obligate a Christian to give anything to such people? A guide for Christian generosity is given at 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat.”

In most countries today public assistance through taxation is provided for needy persons. In these lands, persons who beg are often doing so, not because they could not get a job if they really wanted one and not because the government has made no provision to care for those who cannot get employment, but because they have learned that they can get more money in this way.

THOSE GENUINELY IN NEED

Within the Christian congregation of the first century, provision was made to care for the needy widows in its midst who had no means of support and no relatives to help them. Regarding this the apostle Paul said: “If any believing woman has widows, let her relieve them, and let the congregation not be under the burden. Then it can relieve those who are actually widows.” (1 Tim. 5:16) These widows would be such widowed relatives as mothers and grandmothers. Children and grandchildren have a responsibility to help such relatives, as the scripture says: “If any widow has children or grandchildren, let these learn first to practice godly devotion in their own household and to keep paying a due compensation to their parents and grandparents, for this is acceptable in God’s sight. Certainly if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” (1 Tim. 5:4, 8) A Christian will fulfill his responsibility to provide for needy relatives, whether by doing so personally or in cooperation with other relatives or by aiding them to make use of governmental assistance available to them.

In most countries today provisions have been made by which taxes are used to give needy people welfare assistance, and a taxpayer has a right to make use of this provision when he is in need of help. Social security and pensions are still other ways that aid is given to persons who are no longer able to earn a living because of age. These and any assistance program provided by tax money can be used by needy persons, but there is still ample opportunity for individuals to do acts of human kindness toward such persons.

VISITING THE SICK

Expressing ‘love for one another,’ as Jesus Christ commanded at John 15:12, also involves visiting the sick. A sick person that is confined to a bed or to his house needs encouraging visits and letters from his Christian brothers and sisters. Visits at such a time show they are interested in his welfare and afford opportunity to give him whatever help they can.

When Jesus gave a prophecy regarding the time of his second presence, he indicated that looking after Christians who become sick is a work of faith. He said: “I was a stranger and you received me hospitably; naked, and you clothed me. I fell sick and you looked after me.” Christians, of course, have not done that directly to Jesus, and so he went on to say: “To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:35, 36, 40) This treatment of Christ’s spiritual brothers sets a principle that is a worthy guide for the treatment of fellow Christians.

Loving aid and concern shown to needy and sick persons within the Christian congregation strengthen the bond of Christian fellowship. Kindness shown to persons outside the Christian congregation serves as a recommendation for the truth to which Jehovah’s people bear witness. Following the apostle John’s counsel, then, “let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth.”—1 John 3:18; 2 Cor. 6:4-6.

“If I used to hold back the lowly ones from their delight, and the eyes of the widow I would cause to fail, and I used to eat my morsel by myself, while the fatherless boy did not eat from it . . . if I used to see anyone perishing from having no garment, or that the poor one had no covering; . . . if I waved my hand to and fro against the fatherless boy, when I would see need of my assistance in the gate, let my own shoulder blade fall from its shoulder.”—Job 31:16-22.

Questions From Readers

● Is it proper for a Christian to avail himself of government provisions of welfare or of relief supplies sent to disaster areas?—P. A., El Salvador.

Yes; the government makes these provisions with the expectation that they will be used by those eligible for them.

Christians pay taxes as required by worldly governments. (Rom. 13:1, 6, 7) Hence, when the need arises, the Christian who legally qualifies for government aid may properly accept benefits that are made available through such tax-supported relief arrangements, if that is his desire.

There are, however, unprincipled individuals who are not true Christians and who have, in many instances, obtained such aid fraudulently. Some have concealed facts regarding their true economic status. Others have refused to work, though capable of doing so. In certain cases, through devious means, families have lived on government aid for years, though not actually eligible for it. The true Christian cannot do these things. He must be honest, truthful and upright. He should have a clear conscience before God and men.—Prov. 3:32; Acts 24:16.

Christians fittingly bear in mind the principle enunciated by the apostle Paul at 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat.” They know, too, that “if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” (1 Tim. 5:8) Nor do they forget that “the getting of treasures by a false tongue is an exhalation driven away, in the case of those seeking death.” (Prov. 21:6) Obviously, then, responsible, able-bodied Christians will work to obtain the necessities of life when that is possible and will not illegally and fraudulently seek government or other financial aid.

If it became known that a dedicated Christian unjustifiably and illegally obtained such assistance, he would not have “a fine testimony from people on the outside” of the Christian congregation, or from within, for that matter. He would be “greedy of dishonest gain.” Consequently, he would not qualify to be an appointed servant in the Christian congregation.—1 Tim. 3:1, 7-9.

A sincere Christian is willing to work. However, he may lose his job for some reason. If a provision exists for such a person to receive unemployment compensation, there would be no Scriptural objection to doing this while trying to find other work. When receiving this assistance and while seeking another job, the Christian may even be able to devote more time than usual to ministerial activity. But it would not be fitting for any Christian to refuse to work and specifically plan to remain on relief rolls indefinitely, just to be able to devote more time to the preaching work. Additionally, if the unemployed person is expected to expend effort and time seeking employment in order to qualify for such aid, it would be improper for a Christian to accept the money but fail to meet this requirement. When suitable employment becomes available, the Christian would not turn it down and dishonestly endeavor to continue receiving unemployment compensation or other financial aid of a comparable nature. He knows that the Bible does not register approval of dishonesty or laziness. The Scriptures recommend honest, hard work.—Eph. 4:28; Eccl. 3:22.

If, due to prevailing circumstances that he cannot now rectify, a Christian lives on some form of public assistance, he should be judicious in his use of funds that are provided for his benefit. They are furnished to cover his needs and only because he is faced with financial hardship, not so that he can satisfy a craving for unessential luxuries.

At times, because of floods, earthquakes or other calamities, a government may declare a particular region a disaster area, taking relief measures and providing necessities for the victims. Food and other supplies may be sorely needed by these persons, and true Christians may be among them. Under such circumstances it would be proper for a Christian to accept such government provisions. Yet the true Christian does not take undue advantage of such arrangements, realizing that he should accept assistance only if he truly is in need. Faithful servants of God desire to conduct themselves “honestly in all things.”—Heb. 13:18.

There are arrangements that the government may have, however, to which people are entitled whether they are in dire need or not. This may include some form of Social Security, medical aid, unemployment compensation or other assistance for those advanced in years. Those who are legally entitled to such benefits may certainly claim them.

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