Republicans are often accused of not caring for the poor, but is this really the case? Democrats often endorse government funded social programs. However, Democrats traditionally donate drastically less than their Republican counterparts.
For example, Mitt Romney donated more than 16% of his income to charity. In contrast, Obama traditionally has donated a mere 1% of his income, but he increased his donations to around 5% before his run for president. Yet, Obama’s donations make him look like a Saint in comparison to Joe Biden. Biden reportedly donated a measly $369 of his income to charity. Still the Obama campaign paints the picture that Romney is an out of touch billionaire who has only lived to take away people’s jobs. Seems a little hypocritical, huh?
Democrats love to say they care for the poor; their actions do not show the same love. A similar scenario can be found in the Parable of the Poor Widow in Luke 20. In this story, Jesus watches as wealthy men donate money to the temple, but then there is a poor widow who donates everything she has. Jesus looked on the widow more highly since her sacrifice was greater in comparison. Like the widow, donations require a financial sacrifice. Assuming the government will take care of the poor is ignorant and only shows apathy toward poverty. Giving up your own personal funds shows your seriousness to this growing issue.
Government funded social programs are generally poorly organized, and spend their money wastefully. Let people do what they ought to do in the first place. People need to take personal responsibility for the poor in their community.
1 John 3:17-18 says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
God calls us to go beyond just claiming a love for the poor.
Government programs have made it easy to assume that you do not need to donate, but doing the right thing is never easy. Republicans are the party for the poor. Unlike Democrats, they show their concern through their personal conduct. And, actions speak louder than words.
