No commentsMany Christians hold the view that radically giving away everything one owns to the poor (as a universal or mandatory practice for all believers) is destined to fail or is unsustainable in the long term. This perspective is rooted in biblical principles of wise stewardship, responsibility, provision for one's household, and ongoing generosity rather than one-time total divestment. While Scripture praises radical generosity in specific cases and calls believers to care deeply for the poor, it does not present blanket poverty or total asset liquidation as God's normative plan for everyone—and in fact warns against approaches that lead to irresponsibility or greater poverty.Key Biblical Reasons and Principles
- Stewardship of Resources as God's Entrusted Goods
The Bible teaches that all possessions ultimately belong to God, and humans are managers (stewards) who must use them wisely, not squander them.- Luke 16:10-12 — "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much... If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?"
Faithful stewardship includes prudent management, saving, and planning—not necessarily liquidating everything at once. - Proverbs 21:20 — "Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it."
Wise people preserve resources for future needs; foolish consumption (or reckless giving without thought) leads to ruin.
- Luke 16:10-12 — "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much... If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?"
- Responsibility to Provide for Family and Household
Giving away everything could leave one's own family destitute, which Scripture condemns.- 1 Timothy 5:8 — "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
This verse emphasizes that neglecting family provision through irresponsible actions (like total divestment without ongoing means) is a serious failure.
- 1 Timothy 5:8 — "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
- The Poor Will Always Be Present—Ongoing Generosity, Not One-Time Fix
Jesus acknowledges poverty as a persistent reality, implying charity is continual rather than a single act that "solves" it.- Matthew 26:11 (cf. Mark 14:7; John 12:8) — "For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me."
This suggests sustained, wise giving over time, not a policy of universal impoverishment.
- Matthew 26:11 (cf. Mark 14:7; John 12:8) — "For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me."
- The Rich Young Ruler Incident Was Specific, Not Universal
In Matthew 19:21 (also Mark 10:21; Luke 18:22), Jesus tells the rich young man, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Many Christian interpreters (e.g., from evangelical and Reformed traditions) see this as a diagnostic command tailored to this man's idol of wealth and self-reliance—not a blanket rule for all disciples. Jesus did not command the same of others (e.g., Zacchaeus gives half in Luke 19:8 and is commended; Joseph of Arimathea remains wealthy and uses resources for good).
If everyone sold everything, the cycle of poverty would repeat (as some critiques note: recipients become the new "haves," and the process restarts without addressing root issues or enabling productivity). - Balanced Generosity and Contentment
Scripture promotes generous giving while warning against greed on one side and foolish extremes on the other.- 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 — "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly... Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion..."
Giving is cheerful and proportional, not forced total surrender. - 1 Timothy 6:17-19 — Instructs the rich to be generous, ready to share, and store up treasure in heaven—while remaining rich and using wealth productively.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 — "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly... Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion..."
- Productive stewardship to create wealth that can fund ministry, family care, and ongoing aid to the poor.
- Avoiding systems that create dependency without empowerment.
- Long-term flourishing for individuals and communities, not short-term gestures that collapse.
The Bible frequently mentions borders, boundaries, and walls in contexts that portray them positively—as established by God, protective, beneficial for peace and prosperity, and part of His design for order among nations and peoples.Here are some key verses that highlight the benefits or positive aspects of having borders/boundaries (using ESV or similar common translations for clarity):Acts 17:26
"And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place."
→ God Himself sets the boundaries for nations, implying this division is part of His sovereign plan for humanity's habitation and order.
Deuteronomy 32:8
"When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God."
→ Borders are depicted as divinely fixed when God apportioned the earth to different peoples.
Psalm 147:14
"He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat."
→ Secure borders are linked directly to peace and abundance/prosperity within a nation.
Isaiah 60:18
"Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise."
→ In this prophetic vision of blessing and restoration, secure borders (and walls) eliminate violence and destruction, bringing safety and praise-worthy conditions.
Proverbs 22:28 (and similarly Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17)
"Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors." / "You shall not move your neighbor's landmark, which the men of old have set."
→ Respecting established borders/boundaries is commanded, showing they provide stability, prevent disputes, and honor what God or ancestors established.
Additional context from Scripture includes:God dividing land among Israel's tribes with specific boundaries (e.g., Numbers 34; Ezekiel 47–48), which brought order and inheritance.
Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah 4) for protection against threats, enabling the people to work securely and restore their community.
Judgment pronounced on those who violently expand or violate borders (e.g., Amos 1:13).
These verses collectively present borders as contributing to peace, security, prosperity, order, and God's intended design for distinct nations—rather than chaos, invasion, or boundary-less mixing that could lead to conflict or loss of identity. While the Bible also calls for compassion toward foreigners/sojourners (e.g., Leviticus 19:34), it consistently affirms the value of maintained boundaries.
"And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place."
→ God Himself sets the boundaries for nations, implying this division is part of His sovereign plan for humanity's habitation and order.
Deuteronomy 32:8
"When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God."
→ Borders are depicted as divinely fixed when God apportioned the earth to different peoples.
Psalm 147:14
"He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat."
→ Secure borders are linked directly to peace and abundance/prosperity within a nation.
Isaiah 60:18
"Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise."
→ In this prophetic vision of blessing and restoration, secure borders (and walls) eliminate violence and destruction, bringing safety and praise-worthy conditions.
Proverbs 22:28 (and similarly Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17)
"Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors." / "You shall not move your neighbor's landmark, which the men of old have set."
→ Respecting established borders/boundaries is commanded, showing they provide stability, prevent disputes, and honor what God or ancestors established.
Additional context from Scripture includes:God dividing land among Israel's tribes with specific boundaries (e.g., Numbers 34; Ezekiel 47–48), which brought order and inheritance.
Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah 4) for protection against threats, enabling the people to work securely and restore their community.
Judgment pronounced on those who violently expand or violate borders (e.g., Amos 1:13).
These verses collectively present borders as contributing to peace, security, prosperity, order, and God's intended design for distinct nations—rather than chaos, invasion, or boundary-less mixing that could lead to conflict or loss of identity. While the Bible also calls for compassion toward foreigners/sojourners (e.g., Leviticus 19:34), it consistently affirms the value of maintained boundaries.
Washington Post
April 27, 2016
Thomas Homan, executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Department of Homeland Security)
By Lisa Rein
This story has been updated.
Go to: Washington Post to Subscribe
Over the past year (roughly from January 2025 to mid-January 2026), several Democratic politicians and governors have used strong, critical language toward U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid intensified immigration enforcement under the second Trump administration. This rhetoric often compares ICE to historical authoritarian forces (e.g., Gestapo, secret police, or slave patrols), calls for its abolition, or accuses it of terrorizing communities. These statements have been widely reported in news sources and compiled in White House/DHS lists criticizing them as inflammatory. Critics (including Trump administration officials, Republicans, and some media) argue this language "demonizes" ICE agents, potentially inciting violence or assaults against them (with reports of significant increases in such incidents). Supporters of the rhetoric view it as legitimate criticism of aggressive policies, overreach, or lack of accountability.
Here are some of the most cited examples from 2025 (primarily spring through fall, with echoes into early 2026):
Comparisons to Nazi-Era or Authoritarian Forces