I don’t believe Jesus EVER looked at charity and government taxation as having anything to do with each other either....something our Catholic friends often conflate.
Conservatives count the cost before they spend.
Luke 14:27-31, “…For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish [it], all that behold [it] begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?”
Not limited to Catholics. Most of the protestant churches I’ve attended lean left on taxation for social service programs.
If the definition of charity is simply paying our taxes, life under the Obama regime is the epitome of charitable living. :)
Charity must be voluntary to have any spiritual value.
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matthew 19:21
Since He said "sell your possessions and give to the poor" (rather than just give away your possessions), one might conclude it was because the sale would bring greater profits for the poor.
He said it clearly: Give to Ceasar what what is Ceasar’s and to God what is God’s.
He clearly saw the difference between Christians’ mission of caring for the poor and lost versus taxes and government activity. One does not replace the other.
It’s the KGB’s liberation theology that has erased the difference. When I was young, there was a clear difference between the Christian person and the socialists’ collective in every way.