Spiritual Germ Theory

(Proverbs 4:19 KJV)  The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Why doesn’t welfare as we know it seem to work?  In my opinion the handouts of the government do more harm than good.  Most people of good-will would agree that there are people who need and deserve help.  Why can’t we put together a system that lifts up people who are down and comforts those who are helpless?  Why do we have a bureaucratic nightmare that puts most of the money spent in the pockets of professional social workers and government employees and very little into the pockets of people in real need?

One of the problems is pointed out by Solomon.  The best intended efforts of government “stumble” (3782) because they do not really “know” (3045) what the problems are.  Government aid, education, penal systems and too many churches are blind to the existence of sin and evil.  They seem to think that more money, more classes or more counseling will take care of what ails society.  The results are like surgery without a knowledge of germs.

So?  We must live in the world but we don’t need to be blind to what is wrong.  An awareness of sin and a knowledge of the cure can guide or steps and set our priorities.  Don’t accept the world’s aspirin when only God’s antibiotic will work.