Steve J,

Biblically, there can be a counter-argument for everything you put forward.

When the Israelites built the Tabernacle, Genesis 35: “This is what the LORD has commanded: Everyone WHO IS WILLING is to bring the LORD an offering…….They withdrew from Moses’ presence ,and everyone WHO WAS WILLING AND WHOSE HEART MOVED HIM, came and brought an offering to the LORD… All the Israelite men and women WHO WERE WILLING brought to the LORD FREEWILL OFFERINGS for all the work the LORD commanded them to do. Genesis 36: Then Moses summoned …every skilled person whom the LORD had given ability and who WAS WILLING to come and do the work.”

I could go on and on. In the end, it’s about FREE WILL (and in the beginning, in the Garden). God doesn’t force people to give, because it’s empty if it’s forced. Governments should take a clue from God.

Conservatives and Christian conservatives understand this concept, and studies have shown thus, give far more to the poor. Just not through forced government policy (where money tends to disappear down a dark hole).