Bible’s message distorted
Politicians of all stripes at times quote the Scriptures to support their policy decisions. The problem comes when the Bible is quoted out of context, and the citations are used wrongly to support policies that have a major impact on the poor.
Recently U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher of West Tennessee used the Bible to justify cutting about 2 million people from the federal food stamps program. He cited the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 3:10, which reads: “Anyone unwilling to work should not eat,” and Jesus’ saying from Matthew 26:11, “For you always have the poor with you.” But neither can be used to support a policy that would diminish the food stamp program.
In Paul’s teaching, we need to keep in context what was going on in that community of Thessalonica when this letter was written. There was heightened expectation that the Risen Jesus would return in glory very soon at the end of time. Because the end of time could come any day, some folks probably thought work was useless. It is in this context that Paul admonished these people: If you don’t work because you are sure Christ will be returning any day, then you shouldn’t eat.
Of course, this passage cannot be used to justify cutting the food stamp program. In fact, the Judeo- Christian Scriptures again and again call us to show a strong support for those who are poor and vulnerable.
In his justification for cutting food stamps, Fincher says, “The role of citizens, of Christians, of humanity is to take care of each other,” but then he adds, “not for Washington to steal from those in the country and give to others in the country.”
Over the years Fincher and his family, who farm more than 2,500 acres of cotton in five West Tennessee counties, have accepted millions of dollars in federal cotton subsidies. Now, however, Fincher wants to cut back the food stamp program because the nation can’t afford it.
In this time when there is still mas- sive unemployment and great suffering — with an alarmingly large number of children in poverty — it is not “stealing” when the nation is called to make sure that all have basic needs.
As rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Memphis, I agree that church congregations and other places of worship must reach out to those who are hurting. At the same time, however, people of faith must call the nation to practice justice to those who are suffering. It is not “stealing.” It is very much within our Judeo-Christian tradition of faith.