The art of distraction is a vital component when it comes to politics. As our attention is turned to what is happening between Ukraine and Russia, a troubling bill is making its way through the Senate. Bill S-233, entitled "An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income," is currently in its second reading.
This bill, along with its twin sister bill C-223, is based on the following premises: 1) poverty is our greatest issue and shame in Canada and 2) poverty is preventable by effective government policy and assistance. The goal of this bill is to:
With this bill, they seek to facilitate "the transition to an economy that responds to the climate crisis and other current major challenges". Implied in these words is something Trudeau has already been indicating – climate change will be the next crisis. And what has been implemented in our current crisis will be brought into that one. Restrictions on businesses being one carryover. So how do they plan on eradicating and preventing poverty stemming from such activity? By providing everyone over 17, including temporary workers, permanent residents and refugee claimants, access to a guaranteed livable income whether you work or not. This had already been implemented in part with such programs as CERB. Yet, a guaranteed basic livable income (GBLI) would go further. CERB was given only to those who made more than $5000. In Senator Pate's estimation, this didn't go far enough. The framework proposed by Pate, the sponsor of this bill, would include all people over the age of 17 regardless of whether they made $5000 or not. How would you sustain this? More taxation on those who are working. There is a lot to write about concerning this bill. Too much for a single blog. So along with my wife, we will be tackling a couple of different aspects that we find concerning. As a Christian, and a former pastor, my mind typically goes first to one question – what does the Bible have to say about this topic? I believe that God's Word addresses all issues in life – and this one is no exception. So as we shine a light on this bill, I want to start first with what God's Word says about poverty and how to deal with it. In her speech, Senator Pate said, "Poverty is not inevitable, nor is it an individual failing. It is the result of government policy choices that fail to provide viable pathways out of poverty that abandon and leave people behind". Pate presupposes two things: poverty is preventable, and the government is the solution to poverty. But how does this stack up to what God says? "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, 'You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.'" (Deuteronomy 15:11) Poverty is inevitable in this life. Jesus affirmed, "The poor you will always have among you" (Mt. 26:11). His words stand in stark contrast to what Senator Pate claims. Her world is one in which poverty can be eradicated. But the utopian world of Star Trek, one in which money doesn't exist, and everyone's needs are met, is a fantasy world. Poverty exists because sin exists. Such things as war, theft, greed, pride, apathy and even laziness contribute to poverty. To eradicate poverty, sin must be eradicated. And this will not happen until Jesus' return. Man's Solutions Exasperates Poverty Senator Pate's solution to poverty is government intervention and the provision of GBLI. GBLI may sound like a great idea to some. The promise of wealth without having to work is satisfying to our fallen nature, prone to instant gratification and laziness. On top of this, the thought of the poor being taken care of without us having to go out and help them assuages our apathy. Strictly from an economic viewpoint, though, who would pay for a GBLI? The government doesn't make money; they take and spend money. Your money! And currently, they are failing massively with handling your money. Canada is currently 1.2 trillion dollars in debt. For there to be a GBLI, there would have to be an increase in taxation. In Senator Pate's speech, the focus was put on the rich. She believes it is wrong for the rich to profit off the poor, and so she seeks to redistribute it through taxation to those in need. It's a socialist ideology, not a Christian principle. It's very Robin Hood-esque. Robin Hood is praised as the people's hero. But taking from the rich to give to the poor is still theft. Taxation is not the solution to poverty. It typically tends to have the exact opposite effect. Higher taxes increase prices, which then increases the cost of living, resulting in the need for higher taxes to provide people with more financial assistance. It's unsustainable. Taxation puts a strain on a nation that is often unbearable (1 Sam. 8:10-18). Solomon taxed his people so that he could do certain projects. This put a strain on his nation (1 Kings 12:4). After his death, representatives of the nation asked for a reprieve. Solomon's son Rehoboam, instead of listening to the people, increased taxation (1 Kings 12:14). The result is the nation that was already experiencing strain and division, split in two (1 Kings 12:16-20). Will this be repeated in Canada? Taxation is not the solution, and the government is not the appointed vehicle responsible for alleviating poverty. A government engaged in social welfare is a government that has trespassed its sphere of authority. This responsibility is given to the individual (Deut. 15:11; Isa. 58:6-9; Heb. 13:16; 1 Jn. 3:14), the family (1 Tim. 5:8), and the church (1 Tim. 5:3-16; Mt. 25:35-40). God's Solution Alleviates Poverty Man looks at government to solve poverty; God directs individuals to alleviate poverty. After stating that there would always be the poor in the land, God says, 'Therefore I command you, 'You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land'" (Deut. 15:11). Notice the responsibility lays on individuals giving personally ("you shall") and generously ("open wide your hand"); not on a governing body providing a GBLI. Government handouts usurp personal responsibility and create apathetic people. We don't need to care for the poor if someone simply grabs money from our pockets and hands it to them. There's a reason why God commands us as individuals to give personally. It brings us face to face with the person who needs help, moves us to care for them and gives us a measure of gratitude when we assist that person in getting back on their feet. Personal giving leads to further acts of charity, for we learn that "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). The government desires forced giving through taxation; God desires free giving through charity. A principle runs throughout the Bible – giving generously out of the surplus that we are given. This is the principle of gleaning. Landowners were to leave the edges of their crops and the grain that fell as they gathered it so that the poor and foreigner could gather it (Lev. 19:9-10). We are to care for the needy, but we were never intended to give free handouts without a measure of effort attached to it. Paul reminded the church, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat" (2 Thess. 3:10). He would also warn about idleness when it came to giving to younger widows in need (1 Tim. 5:13). Idleness is something we must avoid, yet if this bill it passed it will force the Finance minister to make a framework for GBLI which would lead our nation toward a greater propensity to being idle. We were created to work (Gen. 2). Work gives dignity; handouts do not. Whereas we are to give freely without interest (Lk. 6:35), we are to do so to enable the needy to get back on their feet, so they can also contribute to helping others. This is the cycle that alleviates poverty. Personal charity, not forced taxation, which leads to further acts of charity enabling the needy to work and become contributing members of society. That's a cycle that won't break the bank! There is so much more that I can say regarding giving, but I believe I have made my case. Senator Pate's two presuppositions does not stack up to what God says. Poverty is inevitable due to sin and the solution to alleviating poverty is personal charity not government intervention and assistance. The responsibility lies on the individual, not the government, to help the poor. This is our duty, especially as the church. We are to be active in feeding the poor, clothing the naked, giving shelter to the homeless, and caring for the widow and orphan. These activities demand work. Are you up to the task?
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AuthorHello! I'm glad you found my blog. My name is David Hanson, and I am a concerned Christian who desires for the church of North America to become aware and begin to think biblically of what is happening around them in society. It's time for the church to awake and speak into the current events of the day. We alone have the truth to navigate life effectively. That truth is the Word of God. Archives
May 2022
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