Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 7/24/2006

Question
Is it proper for a Christian to put all their assets into a "Living Trust" and then expect the government (welfare) to pay for all their medical and nursing home expenses? Thank you.

Answer
Cathy,
  2 Corinthains 9:6-15 gives the believer in Jesus Christ the principles and instruction concerning their giving and receiving God's material provision for their life.
   The believer is to depend on the Lord.  He is to give generously to support the work of God.  The Lord in turn will then take care of that faithful person.   We are to live by faith...that means to trust the Lord in everything and that means our money and well being also.   We cannot please God without faith.
    So biblically we are to live on God's provision...and not take finances we have not earned.  Social Security is different in that we pay over our lifetime into it deserve the little it pays us when we retire.
    Welfare is taking from others.    In the first century church welfare was only given to widows who were not able to work and had no family to take care of them.   God's people show love and helped those who could not help themselves.
    Welfare is then only for those who cannot help themselves...that is the biblical principle.   But our government has deliberately created a welfare state in order to control the masses of people.   If you are receiving money from the government you will vote for those who promise to keep giving it to you.   Welfare destroyed the Roman empire and has many others.  It will destroy America also along with its other moral decay.
    The biblical prinicples I believer is clear...the rest is my opinion...based on that principle.
    Hope this helps.   You are to be commended for asking the question and being concerned about this....  In our day of weak uncommited and unfaithful Christians is a shame that Christian will sacrifice the blessings of God...instead look to the government as their provider.  The government never gives anyone anything they donot control.
     May God bless you as you live by faith....
Cooper Abrams

Romans 12:1-2