Lyrics:
https://genius.com/Oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-lyrics
[Verse 1] I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day Overtime hours for bulls*** pay So I can sit out here and waste my life away Drag back home and drown my troubles away
[Pre-Chorus] It’s a damn shame what the world’s gotten to For people like me and people like you Wish I could just wake up and it not be true But it is, oh, it is
[Chorus] Livin’ in the new world With an old soul These rich men north of Richmond Lord knows they all just wanna have total control Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do And they don’t think you know, but I know that you do 'Cause your dollar ain’t s*** and it’s taxed to no end 'Cause of rich men north of Richmond
[Verse 2] I wish politicians would look out for miners And not just minors on an island somewhere Lord, we got folks in the street, ain’t got nothin’ to eat And the obese milkin’ welfare
[Verse 3] Well, God, if you’re five-foot-three and you’re three-hundred pounds Taxes ought not to pay for your bags of fudge rounds Young men are puttin’ themselves six feet in the ground ‘Cause all this damn country does is keep on kickin’ them down
[Pre-Chorus] Lord, it’s a damn shame what the world’s gotten to For people like me and people like you Wish I could just wake up and it not be true But it is, oh, it is
[Chorus] Livin’ in the new world With an old soul These rich men north of Richmond Lord knows they all just wanna have total control Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do And they don’t think you know, but I know that you do 'Cause your dollar ain’t s*** and it’s taxed to no end 'Cause of rich men north of Richmond
[Outro] I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day Overtime hours for bulls*** pay
Ok, and what we’re saying is in none of those passages is Jesus saying to force people to hand over money using the government so that people can collect it in welfare; the difference between a nonprofit or giving someone who is homeless on the street $20, versus a government agency fining someone and forcing them to be taxed for whatever purpose the government may see fit
However, that is not to say Christians may not advocate for such a view (for government welfare), I would simply state it is not the “Christian position” that Jesus is positively requiring something like government welfare to exist
superfluous wealth (beyond one’s needs) is morally the possession of the poor, in the theological tradition (although not one that is much talked about?) - hence you might advocate for wealthy people to give charitably under pain of present or future punishment by God (unless they feel they should retain such funds for some reason - some may need less than others, and some wealth is capital, like if a person owns a boat they can’t break up the boat to feed people)
Care for the poor is a positive virtue, but welfare is simply forcing taxpayers to pay, and allows people to indiscriminately collect; it’s not particularly moral or immoral, it’s kind of amoral in a way (when abused, immoral?)
Thank you for this conversation, I think it is an important one to continue (I may be out for a bit, I could try to further elaborate on different passages if requested. Whether government or corporations or individuals are in charge of doing certain things, I do agree we should care for the poor for sure and would enjoy seeing more discussion of how to meet the needs of those in most need when possible)
I’m loving this; Jesus was also pro-taxes.
When asked by the Pharisees if it was right and just for Jews to pay taxes to Rome:
“Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.”
Straight out of the gospel of Matthew
Again, this isn’t Jesus being “pro-taxes” but for prudence: He was saying if people are going to force you to pay taxes, well what are you going to do? If you don’t pay that makes you a criminal, so just to pay it to avoid trouble
Still no verses to back up your opinions on Jesus’ teachings.
I find it odd, considering you put me on the spot. I had no issue delivering. Yet all you want to do is spout off your interpretations? You’re not the messenger of God, son.
I dare say you are not the man of Christ you think you are.
I will remind you to take this up with your priest/pastor/father
I think you need to go back to Sunday School.
Go ask your priest if your interpretation is correct, not me. I’ve provided you verses, not an interpretation, though I think it’s clear as day: feed those in need.
Let’s pair it with a nice ‘judge not, lest ye be judged’ when it comes to whether or not ‘those in need’ meet your criteria of neediness.
yes, feeding those in need is the clear teaching; no, this is not necessarily through welfare and taxation
Jesus disagrees.
You’re being selfish.
And all I’m hearing from you is your opinions, not seeing any verses backing them up. You’re full of hot air, son.