Is big government bad?

I had an interesting political discussion with some family members recently.

I've learned enought over 30 years to know that it's best to keep one's strong opinions to one's self during political discussions amongst family members. Sharing ideas or offering observations is usually fine, but I've learned to not express strong political feelings with just about anybody if I want a peaceful day. This is easier now that I don't espouse any strong political feelings (other than a dejected demeanor towards both major parties).

Anyway, the discussion was on the economy and the government programs aimed at helping troubled individuals through tough times. None had good things to say about this. One family member, an employee of Wells Fargo, mentioned a government program that helped Wells Fargo renegotiate mortgages with people in danger of losing their home by cutting interest rates and lowering monthly payments. We also discussed welfare and unemployment payments. A great deal of frustration regarding these plans was uttered across the room: Why should those who bought too much house get a break, when those who made wiser choices and worked hard to pay their bills had to remain in their current mortgage? Why does our government continue to give welfare to people who purposefully avoid reaching a certain level of employment for fear of losing their welfare? Why do those who are out of work by choice and have quit looking for new jobs get to continue to receive unemployment checks, checks paid for out of the taxes from the salaries of the employed?

I can't say I blame them. It is frustrating, and the conservative in me has a big problem with these programs. The realist in me, though, realizes that if people lose their homes, my home is worth less. If unemployment and welfare benefits aren't given out, the economy worsens, and my retirement account and other investments goes further south. Bottom line - I can sympathize with both sides of this argument.

I realized something for the first time after this discussion, though. The government really shouldn't have to be doing this. This need shouldn't exist. Why? Because of churches.

Christ didn't dodge many issues, and he especially didn't dodge money. Two commands come to mind: tithe, and take care of the downtrodden. One command is to tithe (give 1/10 of one's income back to God through the church). I read recently that if every member of American churches obeyed this command, there would be more than enough to overcome poverty and hunger in America. Christ also commanded his followers to look after the hungry and poor and imprisoned. Some are doing this. However, the fact that our government spends as much as it does on benefits for the poor is evidence enough that not enough are. Frankly, the bigger government is, it's likely the smaller the contributions of Christians.

There's only one possible hiccup I see in this theory, though. Would non-Christians accept help from the church if it were their last option? I suspect they would. Perhaps in this Great Recession we are wasting a golden opportunity to display these commands to the world.