Dependency

 

It says in the Bible that the ones who don't work shall not eat:

^"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, 

to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live 

according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how 

you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,  

nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked 

night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of 

you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order 

to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with 

you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they

 are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to

 settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, 

never tire of doing what is good."

(2 Thessalonians 3, 6-13)

 

Many people have chosen to stay dependent on the State in the form of a 

social welfare payment of one sort or another, despite being aware that they 

are capable of working. They run the risk of arriving at an attitude of believing 

that they are entitled to receive freely from everybody else in their lives, 

and lose the capacity and willingness to give of themselves. 

Unconsciously they might always seek to see in what way they can profit from 

a person, how much they can get out of them, and at the first hurdle they 

"move on", maybe saying the relationship or friendship "didn't work anymore",

because of whatever. 

It doesn't only apply to money, it can be about anything. 

But to receive payment from work, the result of a contribution made to society 

in one form or another, and then use that money to buy food or other 

necessities, just feels right. I would use the word "justified".

There is a natural order to life, it is normal to participate and contribute to 

society, and it is also great that those who cannot work, due to illness or old age 

are supported by those who can work. It is natural order.

But being unnecessarily dependent on the State makes them in 

reality beholden, it takes away their freedom to make real choices in their life, 

because whatever presents itself as opportunities will have to fit in around the 

situation of receiving this money, so it can become a burden.

 

The truth is that we are totally dependent beings, we are dependent on God.

Living this reality, we will lean on Him only, ask Him to help us,

always turn to Him, because we fully realize that He provides EVERYTHING

we need, at any moment. We know this because our eyes have been opened, 

and they can never again be closed. 

To follow Jesus is to do like Him. Jesus did not defend Himself, He did not 

cling to this life, we must have the same internal freedom and stop following

our own defensive mechanisms. 

Always  having the same reactions; fight or flight, around and around in 

circles.  We have to step out of this mechanical pattern. 

Do something new; like trusting God.

Those who are unable to trust in God's providence in all things, can never 

get to know Him.

Like Saint Therese of Lisieux said: What hurts God the most, 

is the lack of trust in Him.