Presence Weekly 6/5/23

The Devo: Entitlement Programs - A New Perspective (Part 1 of 3)

On Saturday, President Biden signed bipartisan legislation that lifted the cap on the debt limit for the next two years (aka until after the next presidential election). After months of negotiation, both parties and both chambers were able to agree on something that none of them found appealing. Immediately afterwards both sides were quick to point out how the other side had politicized the process.

One of the key issues of contention was what we have come to call entitlement programs. The Democrats were unwilling to see cuts in Medicaid, and the Republicans demanded work requirements for some benefits.  So what exactly are entitlements?

Entitlements typically fall into two categories: contributory  programs where the individuals have paid into some portion of the program (Medicare, Medicaid, Unemployment Benefits, Social Security), and non-contributory (SNAP/food stamps, Pell grants, disaster relief payments, COVID relief).  Some entitlements are “means-tested” (based on income level) and others are not (Social Security is age-based while disaster relief payments are typically location-based).

How should Christians think about entitlement programs? Everything depends on perspective.

Exodus 16:1–8 (ESV): 16 They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. 2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” 8 And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”

We can learn a lot from this passage.

First, consider the perspective of the people of God. They are upset because, from their perspective, they do not have enough food or water and want Moses to do something about it.

However, it’s important to notice the serious flaws in their perspective. Everyone involved had just watched the Red Sea collapse upon Pharaoh's army. This was the climactic end to the 10 plagues that God rained down on the Egyptian kingdom through the mediation of Moses, which resulted in the Jews being freed from 420 years of brutal chattel slavery. Further, after enduring unimaginable consequences for thinking God’s request was a negotiation, Pharaoh was so eager to free the people of God that the Egyptians sent them away with their own gold and silver. Scripture is unclear how long it has been since the waters swallowed up Pharaoh’s army, but it could not have been long enough to forget something that epic.

What role had the Jews played in securing their freedom? None. What financial investments had the Jews made to fund the next chapter of their lives? None. What right did the Jews have to complain about their situation? None. But, that has never really stopped people on the receiving end of an entitlement from complaining. Everyone in this story is on the receiving side of an entitlement program. An entitlement program initiated by God, executed by God and underwritten by God.

Their lack of perspective has moved them quickly from jubilantly free people possessing much of the wealth of Egypt to complaining spoiled brats who actually suggest that they had it better as slaves.

As Christians, regardless of our party affiliation, we are called to maintain proper perspective. Paul, a formerly wealthy, well-titled, Pharisee turned church-planting-disciple reminds us, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col 1:13-14

We are the recipients of what might be called the greatest non-means-based, non-contributory entitlement program ever offered. One of the most beautiful things about this entitlement program is that we receive it regardless of our appreciation and even our frequent complaints about the level of benefits.

More on that next week.

Last Things

Michael and his wife were on vacation last week. Presence Journal will drop on Wednesday, followed by our latest episode of the Faithful Presence Podcast on Thursday.

May the Lord bless you as you serve Him and others this week.