One objection that I often hear from evangelicals is that while aid is good, it is not the government’s job. Yes, individuals and churches play a vital role in aid and development. But governments play a unique and vital role that private organizations cannot. The poverty-focused programs in the foreign-aid budget are facing cuts of between $1.2 billion and $3.2 billion from 2010 levels. In comparison, the largest American Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, has a budget of $308 million for its missionary and aid organization.
We cannot let others suffer simply because times are tough in the U.S. All Americans must understand the urgency of the human need and the effectiveness of our government’s aid programs.
Most government foreign aid is lost to corruption, often worsening the situation in oppressive countries. The purpose of government foreign aid is not to help people, but to buy the loyalty of the rulers of those countries. In contrast, aid by Christians goes where it is supposed to go, directly to those who need help, and it isn’t wasted. People should be giving their money to World Vision, Compassion International, Samaritan’s Purse, etc., where it will actually help people and not just to corrupt rulers that are being bribed by the U.S. to stay on its side. Our country should be getting out of the bribery business.
Do we not have poor in our own country? Do we not have our own hungry? Let’s take care of our own first and then, generously distribute the surplus to the others.
RE: “All Americans must understand … the effectiveness of our government’s aid programs.”
That’s just it — they’re not effective. So we cannot “understand” their effectiveness, when they’re ineffective.
What sad comments.