Who is To Do God's Work?!?

Charlie Rangle made an interesting comment the other day about Democrats.  He claimed that they were doing God’s work.

"And so what we have to do is send a collective voice," he said of the upcoming midterm elections. "Everything we're doing is God's work: education, healthcare, affordable housing, [protecting against] discrimination, paying people the minimum wage."

First off, allow me to state the obvious.  Any party that boos God publicly, promotes and defends the murder of pre-born babies, and defends homosexuality, is not doing God’s work. 

Secondly, government isn't supposed to do God’s work; God’s people are.  Where in the Bible does it teach that God’s work is even close to his list?  When the Bible speaks of education, it speaks to parents.  Healthcare?

The Good Samaritan didn't look to the government to take care of the beaten and robbed man.  He paid for it out of his own pocket.  Paul speaks to discrimination in Colossians 3 where he says that in Christ, “there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.”   Also in James 2, James teaches about not discriminating against the poor in the church.  Affordable housing?!?  Minimum wage?!?  The Bible speaks much about working and that employers are to pay their laborers the wage agreed upon, but nothing about a minimum wage.  

Nowhere in the Bible does it teach that government is supposed to take care of the poor.  The Bible does teach however, that the Church is supposed to help the widows and orphans.   What was the welfare system in the Old Testament?  Let's look at Leviticus 19:9-10;

“‘When you gather in the harvest of your land, you must not completely harvest the corner of your field, and you must not gather up the gleanings of your harvest.  You must not pick your vineyard bare, and you must not gather up the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You must leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.”

It doesn't say that there must be special fields planted for the poor; it doesn't say that the farmers must pick the grain and then harvest it and take it a store where the poor come with their EBT cards to pick it up.  The poor had to actually work and harvest it themselves.  

Let's look also at Paul’s instructions to Timothy about widows.  I rarely ever hear this passage talked about.

“Honor widows who are truly widows.  But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.  She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.  Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.  But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

“Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.  But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.  Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.  So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.  For some have already strayed after Satan.  If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.”  I Timothy 5:3-16

It’s interesting that first off, families are supposed to take care of their widows.  Secondly, the widows who were to “put on the list” were to be at least 60 years old, wife of one husband and having a reputation for good works.  In other words, one who could not support herself because of age, one who was married only once and one who was known for her good deeds.  Interesting requirements, don’t you think?   

The Bible does speak a lot about work and laziness however.

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”  Genesis 2:15

Man was given work to do by God in the Garden of Eden.  Work isn't a curse.  God created man physically stronger so that he could both provide for his family, but also to protect his family.  The curse came after Adam and Eve disobeyed God and God cursed the ground so that man’s labor would be hard work.  See Genesis 3:17-19.  

Adam wasn't the first to work, however.  From Exodus, we learn that Jesus was the first Person to work.  

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, and he rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.”  Exodus 2:10-11

We know from John 1 that Jesus was the Word of God who created the world.  We also see from this passage in Exodus the principle that God assumes that we will be working.  This is why He instituted a day of rest.  Our bodies need time to relax and recuperate.  

Proverbs is full of references to those who are lazy.  The term that is used often is sluggard.  According to Webster’s Dictionary, a sluggard is “a habitually lazy person.”  Here are just a few of the references to laziness and sluggards from Proverbs.

“Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.”  Proverbs 19:15

“The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.”  Proverbs 12:24

“Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.”  Proverbs 12:27

“The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.” Proverbs 15:19  

“The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.” Proverbs 21:25

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”  Proverbs 10:4

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.”  Proverbs 13:4

“The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.”  Proverbs 20:4

The New Testament also teaches about work.  

Paul is very clear in II Thessalonians 3:6, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”  The context of this verse talks about the example of Paul himself and his own work ethic.  

In Colossians 3:23, Paul instructs in whatever work we do, we are to do it unto the Lord.  

The problem that we have here in America is that we have people who have been deceived into believing that government is supposed to help the poor.  I have a friend who calls them “do gooders.”  If individuals like Charlie Rangle really wanted to help the poor, they would put in place policies that would allow the economy to grow; cut taxes and cut regulations.  Quit stifling businesses.  Which is better, Mr. Rangle?  A job or charity? 

One of my favorite quotes about the economy and helping the poor is from Milton Friedman.

“In the only cases in which the masses have escaped from the kind of grinding poverty you’re talking about, the only cases in recorded history, are where they have had capitalism and largely free trade. If you want to know where the masses are worse off, worst off, it’s exactly in the kinds of societies that depart from that. So that the record of history is absolutely crystal clear, that there is no alternative way so far discovered of improving the lot of the ordinary people that can hold a candle to the productive activities that are unleashed by the free-enterprise system.”  Milton Friedman

Mr. Rangle, leave God’s work to God’s people.  The Constitution gives you your job description.  As a member of Congress, your job description is found in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.  Note that nowhere in there is anything about healthcare, affordable housing, education or the minimum wage.  That is not your job. 

To quote Jesus, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Do You Know the History behind The Constitution?

Yesterday, September 16, 2012, I attended a “Roots of Liberty” seminar by KrisAnne Hall.  I learned so much of the history behind our Founding Documents and why its enemies don’t want us to know what’s in it. 

Today is Constitution Day, where we celebrate the signing of our Constitution.  But how much do we know about its origins?  Our Founding Fathers didn’t just “wing it.”  They knew their British history.  Our Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights have their genealogies in five British historical documents.  Do you know what they are?  I didn’t before yesterday.  They are:

1.       1000 Charter of Liberties

2.       The Magna Carta of 1215

3.       Petition of Right 1628

4.       Great Remonstrance of 1641

5.       English Bill of Rights of 1689

Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat its mistakes. 

On July 4, this year, I reread the Declaration ofIndependence.  I was stuck at the similarities between their grievances against Britain in 1776 and what we are facing today.  What I learned yesterday is that they weren’t new in 1776; they were grievances back from all the way to the British Aisles of 1066.  

I highly recommend KrisAnne Hall’s book Not a Living Breathing Document: Reclaiming our Constitution: An Introduction to the Historic Foundations of American Liberty.  I started reading it last night and am looking forward to what I will learn from it.

The Bill of Rights Comes to Memphis

You are invited to join the TNWAHM Homeschool on

Sunday, September 16, 2012

“The Bill of Rights”

A Seminar Conducted by Nationally Known Constitutional Teacher
KrisAnne Hall

2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Bethel Church Ministries, 5586 Stage Rd Bartlett,TN

ATTENTION:
• Parents and Teachers
• Students (Junior High and High School)
• Teen Groups
• Church Groups
• Homeschools
• Elected Officials and Candidates for office
• Anyone with a love of our country and a desire to be more familiar with it's founding.

History Comes Alive

Don’t miss hearing this remarkable teacher and patriot.

KrisAnne Hall is an attorney and former prosecutor, fired after teaching the Constitution to TEA Party and 9.12 groups - she would not sacrifice liberty for a paycheck. She is a disabled veteran of the US Army, a Russian linguist, a mother, a pastor's wife and a patriot. She now travels the country and teaches the Constitution and the history that gave us our founding documents. KrisAnne Hall is the author of numerous books and DVD series for all ages "Budding Patriots", "Junior Patriots, and Adults. Her newest book is entitled Liberty First: The Pathway to Reclaiming America Suggested Donation: $5.00 (donations will help cover KrisAnne's travel expenses and also for Bethel Church for graciously letting us use their building.) If you have questions or wish to make group reservations call: (901) 876-5813

Invite others to join us. For a printable flyer in pdf form go to this link https://dl.dropbox.com/u/21363177/FlyerKrisAnne.pdf

Happy 224th Birthday Constitution!

Today is the 224th Birthday of the U.S. Constitution. It is under attack more than ever. It's more important than ever that American citizens know this amazing document. It is the foundation for our form of government and our Freedom.

Today would be a great day to read the Constitution. How do you know if the federal government is overstepping it's bounds if we don't know what it contains.

I'm celebrating today by watching the opening speeches of the online course Introduction to the Constitution by Hillsdale College ~A Constitution Day Celebration~. In the next few weeks, I will continue the web series. It's not too late to sign up for it.

Happy Birthday Constitution!

Nanny State or Employer Rights?

I'm in disagreement with my favorite blog. I guess it has to happen sometime. The question is whether NYC Health Dept. is over the top with their new rules about employee conduct in the workplace. See Here for background. I am not saying that the rules are over the top and ridiculous, because I believe they are; but I think the bigger picture here is whether the employer ~which is the NYC Health Dept~ has the right to dictate to its employees what they can eat and drink during meetings and parties. What’s the difference in a company banning alcoholic drinks during working hours and sodas?

The difficulty for some is that it’s the NYC Dept of Health and so it’s a government entity. It’s also a fact that many in government ~and outside~ want to regulate what we can and cannot eat; i.e. Moochelle and her “fight against obesity” ~which she herself is losing, but that’s another subject altogether~ I know that NYC is regulating what restaurants can serve, but that’s precisely why I think this is why as conservatives we should be on the side of the employer ~which happens to be a government agency~

Small businesses ~and large~ are being regulated to death. My dh works for a religious drug rehab and they have to consult with a lawyer when they need to fire someone; and TN is a right to work state. What about smoking? Smoking is banned in restaurants. Shouldn’t that be up to the owner of the restaurant? What has happened to Americans? If we don’t like something someone else is doing, we think there needs to be a law against it. Why are we a nation that is so worried about offending someone, that we limit everything?

As a Constitutional Conservative, I believe in limited government. I think we need to do away with whole depts.; the EPA, FDA, HUD, Dept of Education, just to name a few. I think it’s hypocritical to say that I believe individuals can make their own choices for their lives, but business owners can’t.

What do you think?

Thank You Steve Cohen!

The Federal government set a new record in February 2011. It had the largest monthly deficit in history; $223 Billion. See here. While liberals/Demonrats whine about the Republican spending during the Bush years, ~especially about the Iraq war~ the deficit for the whole year of 2007 was $161 Billion. WSJ article here.

Notice that 2007 was the last budget by both a Republican Congress and Republican President. Since Demonrats took control of Congress, ~which holds the purse strings of the government~ they have tripled the Federal Deficit. Republicans in Congress are trying to cut $100B out of the Federal budget and are running into opposition from Deficit Demonrats. Is it any wonder, when they hold the record for spending?

While the Republicans are fighting to cut the Federal budget by $100B, that is just a drop in the bucket compared to what must be cut. At the very least, we need to get back to 2006 levels. What needs to be done is to get back to Constitutional levels, which would be the elimination of many whole depts of the federal budget, the alphabet depts/programs. We could eliminate the whole defense budget ~which is the main job of the federal government~ and still only cut the current deficit by 1/3. That is unbelievable to me and unacceptable.

How did America come from a poor 3rd world country in 1787 to become one of the richest by 1920? It wasn’t because of the Dept of Labor, Energy or Education. The great cities of New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Detroit weren’t the result of HUD. From 1787-1920, the federal budget never exceeded 3% of the GDP except during times of war. Today, the federal budget is 25% of GDP.

Mr. Cohen was first elected to Congress in 2006. As a Pelosi lapdog, he is part of this history making fiscal fiasco. I wonder if this is an accomplishment that he’s proud of?

A Letter to Speaker Boehner

Here is a letter to Speaker Boehner from a fellow hiker at Honeytrail asking some good questions about BO's eligibility as President of the United States. I would be very interested to see his responses.

Michelle Bachmann - My Hero

I love Michelle Bachmann. Her new article as referenced here at Honeytrail is awesome!

She should be the Speaker of the House. She's introducting the End Tax Uncertainty Act of 2011 to make the Bush tax rates permament, repeal the death and gift tax, and prevent a tax increase on the maximum tax rate on capital gains and dividend income. She sponsoring Constitutional seminars for Congress ~novel idea~ She's also going to introduce a repeal of the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform bill.

Go Michelle Bachmann. You are a modern day Patriot.

Constitutional Classes for Congress?!?

How sad that this is necessary, but it's true. Most Congressmen don't know the Constitution; either that or they are willfully subverting the Founding document of this great country.

Michele Bachmann is starting Consitution classes for Congress in January. Justice Scalia will be teaching Congress about the Constitution and The Declaration of Independance. Let's hope they are good students.

Constitution in a nutshell

Someone doesn't know the Constitution

This is why the Ruling class needs to be defeated.