I don’t know, it probably goes back to the whole Great Society mess. But I’m guessing. I assume you are talking about “we” as the government. Some societies have taken care of each other probably from the beginning (most probably had some relationship to each other) and Christians are told to take care of others, so maybe that’s where it comes from. But, as I said, I can’t answer that question with authority. Perhaps your question was simply rhetorical.
It was.... but "we" are the government.... or at least we used to be.
I do believe in Christian charity...but you can only do so much. At some point, people have to step up to the plate and be responsible. If you keep holding them up without holding the individual responsible... it cripples them and drains the charitable spirit of others..