Is it true what some "Evangelicals" say? They say that Jesus said we'll always have the poor and they use that quote out of context to suggest that he wouldn't want us helping them too much. Paul Ryan has even suggested that we create a class of "takers" with our social programs. Well, I'm not buying what they are selling.
This article from Pathos explains how Ryan and other "Evangelicals" get it wrong about what Jesus really had to say about the poor. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2014/12/10/ignorant-christians-need-to-stfu-about-the-poor-you-will-always-have-with-you-until-they-can-be-bothered-to-understand-what-jesus-actually-said/
The author, Fred Clark, explains that Jesus was citing from the Torah, which was the Holy Word of Jesus' times. He was referring to Deuteronomy 15: 4-5 which reads, "However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today." So, you see, Jesus was saying there need be no poor if only folks will follow His commands.
A careful and thoughtful reading of the Pathos article will show how far the "Evangelicals" are from actually following what Jesus told them to do. If you read the whole message from Deuteronomy 15: 1-15 that Jesus was citing, you'll see just how far!
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