Church and state responsibilities
My wife and I have slightly varying views on politics in light of God’s word. We recently had a discussion about how we should think about universal healthcare in the US. She tends to agree with it citing Christ’s command to take care of the poor and she says that individuals like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, who have more money than they can possibly use in this lifetime, should have to give over a larger portion of their wealth to the state to support those that are less fortunate. I of course understand Christ’s commands to take care of the poor, but I see this as a command directed to us as individual Christians, apart from the kingdom of the state. Could you please provide scriptural guidance on how to align our thinking on this issue? Thanks.
The church and state have different responsibilities. I can point you to the following information from This We Believe: a statement of belief of our church body.
“We believe that God has given the church and the state their own distinct responsibilities. To the church the Lord has assigned the responsibility of calling sinners to repentance, of proclaiming forgiveness through the cross of Christ, and of encouraging believers in their Christian living. The purpose is to lead the elect of God to eternal salvation through faith in Christ. To the state the Lord has assigned the duty of keeping good order and peace, of punishing the wrongdoer, and of arranging all civil matters in society (Romans 13:3,4). The purpose is ‘that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness’ (1 Timothy 2:2)…
“We believe the proper relation is preserved between the church and the state only when each remains within its divinely assigned sphere and uses its divinely entrusted means. The church should not exercise civil authority nor interfere with the state as the state carries out its responsibilities. The state should not become a messenger of the gospel nor interfere with the church in its preaching mission. The church should not attempt to use the civil law and force to lead people to Christ. The state should not seek to govern by means of the gospel. On the other hand, the church and the state may cooperate in an endeavor as long as each remains within its assigned place and uses its entrusted means.
“We believe that Christians are citizens of both realms and serve God by faithfully fulfilling their duties in both (Romans 13:6,7).”
In our individual lives as “citizens of both realms,” we will seek to love God and our neighbor. The Bible instructs Christians: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10).