Mandatory Sequester?

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?  Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

Here we go again...Another plea to Congressional leaders: Bipartisan compromise, please. Act for the benefit of the country.

On March 1^st, we have a “mandatory sequester” or automatic 10-year federal budget cuts of $1.2 trillion. These cuts represent a threat to our national security, the economy, education, public health, small businesses and jobs.

"About 70,000 young children would be kicked off Head Start, 10,000 teacher jobs would be put at risk."

“Up to 2,100 food safety inspections might have to be canceled.”

And how would that affect the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank that distributes food to organizations with food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, senior citizen sites, child care centers, youth programs, group homes and social services programs for the disabled? Located in one of the wealthiest states in the country, New Jersey, which has more than 750,000 residents at risk for hunger, half are children, said Phyllis Stoolmacher, director, Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, Ewing, NJ. “Here, in Mercer County, NJ, over 25,000 residents struggle to put food on the table each and every day.”

"Federally assisted programs like 'Meals on Wheels' slashed and 125,000 low-income renters put at risk of losing government-subsidized housing."

"Some 100,000 formerly homeless people, including veterans, would be removed from their current housing and emergency shelter programs..." etc.

It’s not about people looking for hand-outs, it’s about the realities of our country.

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:11, NIV

Despite the looming cuts, two-thirds of the wealthiest people in the U.S. added to their fortunes, boosting their average net worth by $400 million to a record $4.2 billion.—Forbes.  Plus, although still volatile, on Feb. 1st, the Dow had broken the 14,000 barrier since 2007!

Nice…but wait a minute. The same political ideologies still persist.

Excerpts from Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2/10/2013 (“How America Gives”)

Middle-class Americans give a far bigger share of their discretionary income to charities than the rich. Households that earn $50,000 to $75,000 give an average of 7.6 percent of their discretionary income to charity. But those who make $100,000 or more only give an average of 4.2 percent of their discretionary income to charity.

Those who live in the same zip code with others making more than $200,000 per year give an average of 2.8 percent of their discretionary income to charity. But when more than 40 percent of that same group making more than $200,000 per year live in economically diverse communities, their charity giving increases to 4.2 percent.

Forbes indicated the importance of finding new ways to do as Andrew Carnegie did. Once called a “potent force for the common good,” Carnegie developed the gospel of wealth. By 1911, Carnegie had given away over $43 million to libraries and close to $110 million for other causes. He formed the Carnegie Corporation of New York to give away the $150 million that remained.

The Carnegie Corporation's mandate was to "promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding." Carnegie lived up to his word and gave away his fortune to socially beneficial projects, such as universities, colleges, schools, public libraries, and educational entities--including public television's Sesame Street.

 “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

Possibilities?

Rebuild…Move Forward

Let’s investigate ways to shift our thinking and renew our minds. Instead of maintaining a reliance on the federal government, let’s rely on God to give us the wisdom to address ways to build a new business model for social services. The end result would be to create more small businesses that would lead to additional revenue and jobs from private sources. 

In agreement with the Forbes article, Pastor G.G. Womack said, “The time is now to begin walking a new path.” And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Romans 12:2, NKJV)

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The way it was....

The ascending spiral of greatness in America has risen because industry has produced wealth, which in turn has supported educational institutions, which in turn have supplied leadership to industry in order that with each succeeding generation it might produce more wealth. – Former U.S. Senator Wallace F. Bennett (attended public school and college, was in military and served in Senate 1951-1974)

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The way it is...

With a background in the nation’s cities, Bruce Katz, vice president of the Brookings Institute, said local governments should be thinking hard about how to encourage giving because “we don’t have the welfare programs that we have had in the past. The need for individual giving is greater than it has been in modern memory.”

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“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecc 3:1),” said Pastor G.G. Womack. “Now is not the time to be penny-wise and pound foolish, but it is time to exercise Godly principles for the sake of your own souls. With an impending deadline fast approaching, it’s time for Congressional leaders to act to avoid the March 1st sequester deadline. We pray for Godly wisdom.”

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 NKJV