Had there been a food stamp system in Job’s day, he doubtless would have gone on it.
He probably was sustained during his trials through the beneficence of friends who grudgingly admitted he was no bum, although unleashing no small amount of moralism on him. Aaaaah Job! You have to have sinned to deserve this!
I do not like these government schemes. But I do kind of like to stay alive and not freeze. Sometimes I wonder if the government in spite of its waste is like the dogs who licked the sores of the beggar since nothing better was available for him. And that is why God has shown such great tolerance to it. Better that than to torpedo grace altogether in a country that is sinning madly but still knows rumors of God’s name.
I agree that in many ways the Church has wrongly abdicated the responsibility to Caesar. I came from impoverished childhood and have been truly blessed in my life. But, I also watched my father work even harder when times got harder.
There's also a difference from, as you describe your situation, where someone temporarily needs assistance from others - uses it, is done and was grateful......than the individuals that are 3rd generation welfare recipient and views it as the world owes them something.
I added up all of the federal taxes, state taxes, personal property taxes, social security deductions, etc, etc, and it is to the point that I give up more than $1 for every $3 I earn.......even God Almighty only asked for 10 percent.
At some point, we have to say, "enough." Theologically, I don't know if Job would've used EBT. The way I read Job in short - The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Though he was tempted to take the easy way - he didn't sin (not saying that receiving assistance is a sin). For his perseverance in the face of extreme adversity, he was rewarded. The very reason Satan chose to tempt Job was because Job was righteous.
I would more compare this story to Jonah. After he preached in Nineveh, he went to watch the city and the sun bore down on him. God grew a vine to shield Jonah from the heat of the sun. Then God sent a worm to eat the plant and Jonah was cross. He wasn't grateful for the time God had given him the plant......and God even asks Jonah, why he (Jonah) was cross when he had done nothing to make the plant grow.
At this point, we're not even talking about killing the plant (SNAP, EBT) buy culling back the excess growth so the money isn't wasted and abused.
It seems an ever increasing segment of our population has done nothing productive and yet make demands from those who are. And we are supposed to watch what is supposed to be benevolence for sustenance get abused and used at strip clubs, Disney Land, to buy alcohol, drugs, and the latest pair of Air Jordans.
Even in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 - Any man who will not work, neither shall he eat.
Instead of helping those in need, the system is burdened with grifters who only ever demand more.
At what point of confiscation of one's labor are we no longer free, but a slave? Is it when 10% is confiscated, 25%, 30% 50%?
Tragically, when it comes to this point the trajectory is a full out nose dive.....and it is easy to justify responses like, "Why should I donate to the poor when there's so many social programs in the U.S.?" "Why should I donate to the poor overseas when we spend more than $30 Billion in tax money to support people overseas?"
And while some complain that the poor of our country have it better than the well off in some other countries shows me how that God has blessed this country...