There are few on this Earth more cynical and mean-spirited than those who claim to be Christians and to believe in and following the teachings of Jesus Christ even as they decry charity and government assistance as “socialism.” Believing that kindness and “hand outs” will only create dependency, they oppose most sorts of government assistance, universal health care, or just about any publicly-funded program designed to assist those in need.
The problem with that hardened, compassion-free attitude is that it runs completely counter to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I may not believe in God, but I was subjected to enough Sunday School classes during my childhood to understand that the Lord and Savior so many claim to revere wasn’t Ayn Rand’s doppelganger. At it’s most basic, Christianity- ANY religion, really- is about service. It’s about working to make the world a better place by giving of yourself. It’s about realizing that the world doesn’t revolve around you, your needs, or your tender sensibilities.
Selfishness is not a Christian value. Neither is lack of compassion. If you want to live in a world that runs on Christian values, you can’t ignore those who are less fortunate than you. Jesus didn’t preach indifference to suffering, or that “tough love” was the only truly effective way to force the down and out to do for themselves.
If you want to live your life as if nothing matters but your own needs and concerns, you’re certainly free to do so…but you don’t also get to call yourself a “Christian.” If you can’t be bothered to lead a Christ-like life, to give to others because so much has been given to you, then how about you stop pretending and just own up to the reality that you really just can’t be bothered to concern yourself with the welfare and well-being of others?
