On the Way to Samaria

There is no virtue in compulsory government charity, and there is no virtue in advocating it. A politician who portrays himself as "caring" and "sensitive" because he wants to expand the government's charitable programs is merely saying that he's willing to try to do good with other people's money. Well, who isn't? And a voter who takes pride in supporting such programs is telling us that he'll do good with his own money -- if a gun is held to his head.  ― P.J. O'Rourke

We are occasionally accosted with the "Christian view" that government should grow it's charitable activities. It's what Jesus would do, we are told. When I hear this, I mentally sort through the countless parables and gospels I have heard to try and understand how the Christ supposedly delivered this message. I am at a loss. Ticking through the various scenes, all more or less memorable in their message, you see Jesus washing feet, tending to the sick, and feeding the hungry. In no instance is he portrayed as a social worker, city councilman, or as a community organizer. Those are clearly extra-religious appointments, and do not seem to have any basis in religion.

His most memorable story about charity is "The Good Samaritan", which is the story of a man who had been beaten and left for dead along the road. The man who came along gives direct assistance to the stricken man, and takes him into town, where he arranges for proper care, giving his own money directly to the innkeeper to pay for the cost of the recovery.

Notice the story was not about arranging a charitable trust, running around town and collecting dinars for the cause. No, it was about rendering aid. Personally making a positive difference in a man's life. That, my friends, is charity. Pledging your neighbor's tax money is not.

So, the religious argument always misses the mark with me. Ironically, many of its advocates are "for" the separation of church and state. So much for the principle of the thing.

A good summary of the bible and the government was written by Doug Bandow for the Acton Institute.

Did you know that private charity was outlawed in the Soviet Union?

In a limited government, charity is one of the many things that are best tended to at the personal level. The next time you see someone in need of help, cut out the middle man, and help him yourself.