[Kandy Atz]

Giving is a Blessing (Luke 6:38). Taxes, especially those that are excessive, are rarely spent, or shared wisely. The portion that might be responsibly shared, often results in people becoming dependent on government, and not their Heavenly Father.

The solution to poverty is in God’s Word:

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 (KJV)
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

And:

Ephesians 4:28 (KJV)
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

[boatbums]

I was thinking of that same passage! When helping others through tough times is done at a community or individual level it includes things that getting a government check never can. Things like responsibility, accountability, love, care, concern, follow-up and helping them to get back on their feet so that they may no longer need the help and can, in turn, help others like they also were helped. Dependency on a faceless government agency results in a loss of those positive teachings and breeds a subsection of society that will ALWAYS need more. Those are the poor I think Jesus meant would always BE poor.