Oh, SNAP!


At the time of this writing, the U. S. Government has been shut down for a month due to ongoing disagreements between Republican and Democratic leaders. Among those affected are individuals collecting welfare. Nearly 42 million Americans (that’s 1 out of 8) are no longer receiving food stamps or what’s officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

This past Friday, two judges ordered the Trump Administration to keep SNAP benefits in place. Judges cannot legislate from the bench, especially when funds aren’t available unless approved by Congress. The president has stated, “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT. Therefore, I have instructed our lawyers to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible.” 


Regardless, the welfare system in this nation needs to be revamped. Many individuals receive more money staying unemployed than working. It seems to reward out-of-wedlock births and create an entitlement mindset. One single mother of seven declared, “It is the taxpayer’s job to pay for my kids to eat.” That same woman threatened to block anyone who viewed her TikTok videos without sending her money. Others have talked of walking out of stores without paying for their groceries if they don’t receive their SNAP benefits.


I know Christians who are on welfare. Not too long ago, I heard a pastor preach a sermon exhorting congregation members to get off the system and become more self-sufficient. A government who can feed you can also starve you into submission if the wrong politicians get elected. Still, some believers are content to just getting by. I knew one man who started collecting $500/month in disability payments after a health scare that nearly took his life. Because he barely had enough money to pay rent, this man sometimes lived in his car.


Back when the Scriptures were written, governments didn’t have benevolence programs like we do today. Families were expected to look after their relatives. 1 Timothy 5 gives some guidelines in this area:


8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 

10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 

12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 

13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 

14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 

15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 

16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.


The closest I’ve come to seeking welfare was for unemployment benefits. In 1989, I applied for that after an employer refused to pay wages due to me. I didn’t qualify because I left that job instead of getting fired. A few years later, I briefly collected unemployment after getting laid off from another job. By that time, I had been walking with the Lord for four years and felt uneasy seeking assistance from the government. I went on to work other jobs before going into the ministry.


Since becoming a missionary, my income dropped to where I am considered below the Federal Poverty Line. A few individuals suggested I apply for food stamps. I refuse to do that. God has provided for my needs through offerings and people hosting me (3 John 5-8). One type of benevolence I don’t have a problem receiving is through ministries conducting food giveaways. Often I’ll give some of that food to hungry people I encounter while doing street evangelism.


I’ve read about other ministers planning to help those affected by the suspension of SNAP. Christians have a mandate to care for the poor and needy. However, 2 Thessalonians 3:10 has this admonition against those being lazy, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” It’s one thing to receive temporary assistance for emergency situations. Even so, God wants His people to prosper so they can be a blessing to others. That’s hard to do for those looking to the government to take care of them. It reminds me of a joke I heard years ago:


A Republican with a hunched back entered a restaurant one afternoon and asked the waitress for a cup of coffee. When he glanced across the restaurant and noticed Jesus over there, the Republican told the waitress to give Jesus a cup of hot tea, his treat. 


The second patron to enter the restaurant was a Reform Party supporter on crutches. After asking for a cold glass of Coke, he noticed Jesus and told the waitress to give Jesus a Coke on his bill. 


The third patron to come into the restaurant was a Democrat in a wheelchair who asked the waitress for a cup of tea. He also looked across the restaurant and told her to give Jesus a cup of tea on him. 


As Jesus got up to leave, he passed by the Republican, touched him and said, “For your kindness, you are healed.”


The Republican felt his back straightening up, and he raised up his hands, praised the Lord and did a series of back flips as he went out the door. 


Then Jesus passed by the third party guy, touched him, and said, “For your kindness, you are healed.” 


The man felt the strength come back into his legs, got up, and danced a jig out the door. 


Then Jesus walked towards the Democrat. Suddenly the Democrat jumped up and yelled, “Don't touch me! I’m drawing disability!”


“The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the upright is a highway.” - Proverbs 15:19

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