An open letter to Christian legislators: consider the poor

Our comments are directed toward those Christian legislators and their supporters who constantly cry out, "We have to cut government spending and taxes, " when in reality those living in or near poverty are the ones who suffer most and bear the "brunt of the axe" from the chopping of funding for mental health services, social services, educational services and aid to low-income families and individuals. God stands in judgment of those in authority who fall short of their responsibility to help and protect the poor.

Over 2,000 verses in the Bible talk about concerns for and treatment of the poor. The prophets railed against those "who write oppressive statutes to turn aside the needy from justice" (Isaiah 10:1-2). God's outrage over the plight of people living in poverty in Israel and Judah is a theme throughout the Old Testament. God's judgment is upon those who because of greed or unjust practices "trample on the poor" (Amos 5:11). The Psalmist decries that "the wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and the needy" (Ps 37:14). (From our interpretation "sword" = budget cutting axe!) God punished Israel and Judah for their unjust treatment and oppression of the poor. It is not poor people who are the problem, but a society which denies them the access to the basic necessities of life. Without such, they cannot maintain their human dignity.

The founder of our denomination, Martin Luther, wrote about the meaning of the Ten Commandments, the foundation of our modern laws. He explains the meaning of the commandments against killing, stealing and coveting in this way: "If you see anyone suffer hunger and do not feed them, you starve them. " "To steal " means to "take advantage of our neighbor that results in loss to him. " "You shall not covet" means "God does not wish you to deprive your neighbor of anything that is theirs, letting them suffer loss while you gratify your greed. " Jesus himself commands his followers to help those who are impoverished, or suffering, or in need. In Matthew 25 he warns, "As you did it not for the least of these, those who were hungry, or in need of clothes or those in prison you did not do it for me, "… and he sends them away to eternal punishment.

Jesus said the greatest commandment was to "love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. " The way we love God is directly related to how we love the neighbor. Those who confess faith in Jesus ought to show it in acts of justice and mercy toward their poor neighbors and those most vulnerable. In James 1:27, we hear: "The religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. " Helping foster children and single mothers living on state assistance is exactly what James is talking about here.

Christians believe that there is no authority except from God (Romans 13), and those in authority, who make the laws, are accountable to God. To legislators and constituents who claim to be Christians, the highest authority to whom they are accountable is not the voter but God. God stands in judgment of those in authority who fall short in their responsibility to care for the poor. God commands that leaders give special consideration, justice and mercy to those who are impoverished. God says in Ps 82:3, "Give justice to the weak and the orphan, maintain the right of the lowly and destitute. " Those Christians who have means are expected to use those means to benefit neighbors who live in poverty in a society. We also believe that education is one of the most important resources for lifting people out of poverty and that our legislators should fund education, be it primary, secondary and college funding at its highest levels so that all may have access to good jobs to support themselves. We shouldn't be cutting funding for our kids, especially those who are poor.

God's approval or commendation for legislators who profess to be Christians will not be based on the lowering of taxes, or the cutting of spending, nor even the creation of jobs. God judges legislators on a higher standard, how they enable acts of justice and mercy to flow to those who are poor and most vulnerable. If you struggle with your decision on how to vote we suggest you turn to Micah 6:8 "He has showed you, oh man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. " God's word speaks strongly in favor of helping and assisting the poor, always has, always will! A wise and well known national civil servant said, "The true test of a moral society is how it treats those in the dawn of life, the young, the dusk of life, the aging, and those in the shadows of life, the poor, the disabled and the dispossessed."

We ask that our legislators seriously pray about and think about how their voting affects the poor and respond with a conscientious vote. Thank you for your service and please know that you will be in our prayers as you make these important decisions on our behalf and on God's behalf.

Sincerely,

The Lutheran Pastors of the Montana Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and lay pastoral associates of the Hi-Line and north-central Montana:

Pastor Brad Ulgenes, Havre;

Bishop Jessica Crist, Montana Synod ELCA, Great Falls;

LPA Kathryn L. Long, Chinook;

Pastor Chuck Sider, Chinook;

Pastor Gerald Ebelt, Cut Bank;

Pastor Betty Mawbey, Dagmar;

Pastor Tim Christensen, Great Falls;

LPA Kathy Johnson, Great Falls;

Pastor David Peters, Great Falls;

Pastor Sandy Van Zyl, Great Falls;

LPA Colleen Forester, Glasgow;

Pastor Cheryl Hoops, Harlem;

LPA Jack L. Siemens, Harlem;

Pastor Michael Dahle, Havre;

Pastor Michael O'Hearn, Havre;

Karen Sloan, Havre;

LPA Judy Vosen, Havre;

LPA Carolyn Carver, Malta;

LPA Rick Mikkelson, Malta;

Pastor Bob Nagy, Malta;

Pastor Linda Webster, Rocky Boy;

Pastor Patricia Callaghan, Sunburst;

Pastor Len Shatkus, Shelby;

LPA Larry Monson, Wolf Point;

LPA Jim, Spangelo; Havre

Note: A Lay Pastoral Associate, LPA, is a lay person trained, commissioned and licensed for Word and Sacrament ministry in the Montana Synod.