Oh SNAP...The Government Shutdown
What should we do about the freezing of government assistance programs?
In case you have not yet heard, the government shutdown is causing a freeze on SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) fund distribution starting November 1st. As time goes on, funding for WIC (women, infants, children) will become less and less. 42 million Americans are on SNAP, and 7 million are on WIC. That’s nearly 50 million Americans who are on these government funded social programs. What should our thoughts be about the political game that is being played in Washington?
First, there’s a problem with the fact that 50 million Americans are being roped in and rely on these government programs. I think most people would find it good for the government to offer some sort of temporary assistance for those who need money for food, especially when children are involved. The fact that nearly 15% of the country is on these programs show that it’s not a program to help people get back on their feet, but has been engineered to make people rely on the government.
It also shows that it isn’t actually helping. It isn’t helping people progress. It isn’t helping people become self-sufficient. The fact that people are talking about SNAP money being “taken away” shows that there is an understanding that a monthly check is earned or deserved - not that it’s a temporary help. This is not only a foolish use of government funds (coming in at $8 billion per month), but it isn’t actually helping most people in the long run.
Not all people are abusing the system, obviously. There are plenty of people who need help. Which brings up the other half of the equation. Christians should not have the mindset of “people should get a job” when we’re talking about these benefits ending. That philosophy might hold, generally speaking, concerning a large percentage of people on these programs, but that doesn’t change what is happening this week when these funds that people expected to receive will dry up.
Deuteronomy 15:11 - “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.’”
Proverbs 22:9 - “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”
Proverbs 14:31 - “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.”
Luke 3:11 - “And [Jesus] answered them, ‘Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.’”
The Bible is clear that we are to help the poor and hungry. It’s despicable that the Democrats on Capitol Hill are outright saying that they’ll use hunger as a bargaining chip to get what they want. That should anger you regardless which side you claim.
The Church should be part of the solution, not the problem. These programs are bloated and need a complete overhaul. That won’t be fixed overnight, if ever. In the meantime, help those who are struggling. Whether or not one should rely on a government program is irrelevant when you have come to rely on that money to help put food on the table next week. Let’s help people get out of reliance on the government, sure, but that won’t happen instantly.
Give to a food pantry. Give to your church to help those who might be reaching out for help in the next week. Give some money to local ministries who are built to help people in this way. People don’t want a Jesus who tells them to “get a job” in the midst of their hunger. They want a Jesus who truly cares for them even if their situation is entirely their own dumb fault. Which Jesus are you showing others?