sorry, i disagree. We are told to look after our brethren and Early Christians did that -- but remember that looking after includes helping the sick and helpless, but not to make them dumb pets or animals who can't help themselves. We are to leave the grain at the side of our fields for them to pick -- but they gotta do that work
I gave some examples in post 54 of real people who WORKED and let me add another one -- this one is a friend of mine who was poor, but worked as a grunt on a off-shore drill, dangerous work, but worked hard and now he's loaded -- really rich.
His brothers are well off and they own houses while his parents couldn't even dream of that.
If he was just given handouts he would never have worked hard to improve himself and quite frankly now he and his family are living much, MUCH better than if he just got welfare
Where do we disagree? It looks to me like we agree.
There's a big difference between helping the sick and helpless poor, like the widows and orphans, and helping the poor who just won't work.
In the NT, Paul admonishes the church to take care of those who are truly in need, who do not have family to take care of them.
Also, the help is not to be a continual, lifetime support of them, but rather enough to help them get back on their feet.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.