Anton Bruckner
Puritan Board Professor
preach the gospel, disciple them and provide responsible charity to its members first.WHat should the church do for the poor? Let's forget about taxes, Ron Paul and all that stuff for awhile....
What should our churches do for the poor, who are the poor, how should we help, etc...
James
1 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
James 2 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Acts Acts 6
1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Case closed. The Church of Jesus should not be a victim of freeloaders. The Church of Jesus is akin to a Hospital where people come and are made whole then are sent out to live sanctified and holy lives.