Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Hanging onto Independence

Older people say they don't want to be a burden on their children. Ill people try to do things for themselves instead of admitting they need help. Two-year-olds demand that mother step back: "I do it MYSELF." Poor people do not want to accept charity. Even apart from human relationships, we sinners don't want to approach God as empty-handed beggars.

But what has happened to our society that so many now are willing to be dependent on government? Is it because we see the government as some far-away non-entity with unlimited resources and no face? Or have we simply belittled hard work and self-sufficiency for so long that we're no longer ashamed of laziness?

2 comments:

  1. Well, if God completely provides and takes care of us in the right hand kingdom- and if we assume God is in charge of the left hand kingdom, then it seems to make sense.

    When the Federal government provides for you- its actually God providing for you!

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  2. I think it is the latter. People don't want children because they don't want the commitment, risk, or expenditure of energy. People want the government to provide their security for the exact same reason.

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