“YOU DON’T WORK, YOU DON’T EAT! END OF STORY!”
“Very Biblical.”
No it isn’t. This is an extremely common misquote of the Bible. It’s like those who claim the Bible says that money is the root of all evil. It doesn’t say that either. It is one thing to assert something to be true. It is another to claim it is the message of God. It is important to be precise and accurate when dealing with the revealed word of God.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
There is a difference between being willing to work and working. Some people are willing but unable. We do not expect babies or small children to support themselves. And the work that small children do is for their learning, not the profitability or ease of the parents.
2 Corinthians 8:12
For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
2 Corinthians 12:14
Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
God cares for the poor, needy, and disabled:
Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.
Luke 14:13-14a
But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.
Galatians 2:10
They [the apostles] desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I [Paul, also an apostle] also was eager to do.
Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
Proverbs 20:28
Mercy and truth preserve the king,
And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.
Daniel 4:27
Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.
Luke 12:42
And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?”
Luke 16:25
But Abraham said, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.”
What is the Biblical perspective on work and caring for the poor?
It is the responsibility of individuals to work to the degree they are able. Work should be held in esteem. It should not be viewed as something to avoid.
It is the responsibility of father’s to care for and provide for their families. This includes setting aside resources to care for them in the case of his inability to do so at some future point.
When this is not possible, or when men fail to do so, it is the responsibility of other family members to intervene and help.
When this does not happen, or families fail to do so, it is the responsibility of communities to do so. And churches as a particular type of community are commanded to take care of each other and to even help the poor outside of the church where possible.
It is not the job of government to provide income for citizens or residents. But it is the job of government to protect people from exploitation, protect their property rights, and insure that the poor are not impeded from access to available resources. By this I mean that government should not interfere with or regulate charitable help. Government should protect the poor from being exploited.
Society is far more generous and efficient at caring for the poor and needy than a bureaucratic government. Government can do things to help facilitate the use of available resources. It can also make and enforce reasonable consumer protections and establish guidelines for setting aside resources for emergencies, war, natural disasters, etc.
So, I agree that work is the primary means of eliminating poverty. And government needs to foster and encourage that as a solution rather than trying to buy votes with entitlements. But I do not agree that there is a simplistic or one-size-fits-all approach that applies to everyone. There are people who are unable to care for themselves. And government is the last resort, but also a necessary one when all else fails. Policies must be implemented that encourage and foster a society built on a strong work ethic, stable families, and voluntary charity as the primary means of caring for the poor.