FMF gave a few questions to consider regarding effectiveness of government welfare versus private charities. Here’s my take: The basic principle is that we should all be engaged in doing good things to bless our families and neighbors. Ultimately any good that happens comes about because of individuals acting to benefit other individuals.
So the question is, what provides the best vehicle to enable individuals to minister to each other at that level. Institutions are necessary to provide organization and scale, tuning and amplifying individual actions. Government institutions certainly have scale, but are notoriously inefficient and even corrupt. Such institutions are made up of individuals, but it tends to be self-selecting to a population motivated by power, greed, or laziness.
The other problem with government organizations is funding. The law allows the government to take money from me against my will, and give it to someone else. The law may allow it, but it is questionable at best. There are appropriate functions for the government to fulfill, but wealth redistribution is not one of them.
When thing’s are done the right way (the Lord’s way), all parties benefit — one person doesn’t have to suffer for another to be lifted. I’m in favor of wealth redistribution as directed in the scriptures:
I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.
And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
When we are able to give, we are to do so cheerfully. We should be actively engaged in “[bringing] to pass much righteousness” (D&C 58:27). When we are on the other side of the table, we have to overcome the natural tendency to envy and entitlement, endeavoring to provide for ourselves, while being gratefully receiving help when it is offered.
Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!
Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men’s goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!
I think there is plenty of challenge in either situation. The point is that all have the chance to improve both their temporal and spiritual situation. That is something that government welfare can’t accomplish.
