Excessive demands for welfare state

By Michael Stevens

Over the last few months I have taken the time to listen to President Lee Myung-bak’s weekly radio address. He has repeatedly cautioned the Korean people to rethink their continued demands for the government to solve their every little problem.

As an American I fully agree with the President ― it is unwise for Korea to move in the direction of becoming a welfare state.

One of my professors at university would say, ``Any government that is capable of giving its people everything they need is also powerful enough to take away everything they have.”

It is important for people to understand that inequality will always exist that will appear unjust to those who suffer from it. The belief that the government should change its policies ― so as to attempt to deal with the issue of social poverty ― seems on the surface to be a noble endeavor. It is also the road to a large and bloated government that is indicative of socialism.

It is better of Korea and for the Korean people if each individual is largely responsible for themselves and their family’s welfare. Those facing a crisis should first look towards God then to family and friends.

If they do not have either relatives or friends that can help during a time of crisis, then they should seek help from charity organizations that are supported by the local community or the church, before they even consider looking toward the government for assistance.

Liberals would have us think that Jesus ``believed the rich should give to the poor.” Yet even if we assume that this view of Jesus’ teaching was correct it would be a far cry from saying that people should be taxed and that the government should give indiscriminately to the poor even though they might be sluggards, lazy, and thoughtless about their own future.

The bible is also very clear that a person who refuses to work is not to be assisted: ``If anyone will not work, neither let him eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). Jesus and the early church leaders did not demand the Roman Empire help the poor; yet called for believers to limit the government’s power over them.

Jesus made it very clear that it’s individuals at the local level who are to help these in need.

The local administration of charities is crucial. So as to ensure that funds go to those who are truly in need, rather than to professional paupers. The charitable aspects of tithing and giving offerings in the church did not mean simply giving handouts to everyone who lined up.

Charity is to be dispensed by responsible leaders of the community who are in daily contact with the needs of the people. The general principle still holds true: those who won’t work don’t eat. Those who attempt to live by an ethic of welfare are quickly exposed in a locally-administered program, and will be unable to get away with ``mooching” for very long.

Even in charity, God’s law teaches responsibility and Koreans would do well to remember this before asking for government help even if seems a good idea at the time.

The writer is a member of Teachers Helping Teachers. He can be reached at www.eslcity.com.