My children used to tell me: “Dad, everyone is doing it.”  I would reply: “Does that make it moral or ethical?”  I try not to be political because I have friends who are ultra liberals and others extremely conservative. However, I am watching, as many Americans are doing things I never thought I would ever see.  Yet, everyone seems to being doing it and it is being accepted as the thing to do.  So let’s look at what many are doing that in the past most would never even think of making those decisions.  Before we do, I want to have you consider some Scripture.

Luke 4:5 – 7 – “The devil led him (Christ) up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.  And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.  If you worship me, it will all be yours.’” Do you not know people that we assume would take the devil up in a minute if even a small part was offered to them?  How many Americans is the devil deceiving now?  How many people are demon possessed as we read about the many who were possessed in Bible times?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the civilian labor force decreased by 342,000 workers from where it was 34 months ago when the recession was over.  This past April 2012, 225,000 workers applied for “disability benefits and about 90,000 were approved according to the Social Security Administration.  Over the last three years 1,380,000 ‘disabled’ workers, plus their families, have been added to Social Security. Once enrolled it is almost impossible for them to be taken off.

This past April the labor force was 365,000 less than what it was three years ago.  Normally, after a deep recession the work force increases by millions.  Had the labor force remained the same as it was in 2009 unemployment would be at approximately 11%.  It appears two things are happening: people are applying for disability benefits and workers on unemployment compensation are refusing to accept jobs that are offered to them. Many like being paid for not working.  According to local TV, in Las Vegas there are a number of job openings that haven’t been filled because of workers being on unemployment and would not accept a job.  If proven, it is classified as fraud.  Yet, they are willing to take that risk.

We have an administration that says that banks took advantage of home owners and those underwater need to be bailed out.  It was presidents Carter, Clinton and Bush plus groups like Acorn, NAACP and others threatening to boycott or disrupt financial institutions if they didn’t make loans to people who could not afford them.  It was believed that it was only fair for every American to have and to own their home.

The administration is now implying college students should not have to pay back their student loans.  A college education should be free.  Many others are told they can have food stamps, government housing and welfare checks.  The government is obligated to furnish everything you need and the rich will pay for it.

I have counseled Christians who had to take out bankruptcy, allow their home to be foreclosed or negotiate a reduction in credit card debt.   Do you tell them:  “It’s o.k., everyone is doing it.”  Yet, this is the message I keep hearing.  Have you ever heard an Occupy Wall Street individual interviewed?  They do not expect to work and expect President Obama to take care of everything, including healthcare, housing and income.  What are we doing to this nation?  What are our young children being taught and are learning?   Are we becoming another Greece, Italy, Spain or France?  What is happening to American principles that you must work and earn a living?

II Thessalonians 3:10 – 13 – “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.   We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.   Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.   And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.  Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed.  Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.”

Cross references:

1. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 : 1Th 3:4
2. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 : 1Th 4:11
3. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 : ver 6, 7; 1Ti 5:13
4. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 : 1Th 4:1
5. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 : 1Th 4:11; Eph 4:28
6. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 : Gal 6:9
7. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 : ver 6; S Ro 16:17
8. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 : S 1Co 4:14
9. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 : Gal 6:1; 1Th 5:14; Phm 16

There are numerous Scriptures emphasizing responsibility for our actions and our promises.  There is a tremendous difference between being unable to work and taking advantage of a system that gives out other people’s money.  At the pace we are going, there will come a time when there will not be enough workers left to support those unwilling to work.  We may be able to beat the government systems but how much will God allow us to get away with?  Or, doesn’t anyone really care?