Social Justice: Why leave government do it or over influence?

Jeremy and I have become acquainted with a couple whose lives have faced a head on collision due to circumstances beyond their control with a local single mother.  She is 33 years of old and has lived off welfare since she became pregnant at the age of 14.  She is an expert at working the system and obtains high dose pain killers for next to nothing.  The state has agreed to transporting and granting her an elective surgical procedure at no expense to her, just the tax payer.  She had thoughts of relocating to Michigan, but discovered that the welfare in Minnesota was far more superior and changed plans.  Is this social justice?  Is her life being enhanced by unlimited government welfare?

In the matters of social justice, I find myself with more questions than answers.  Influences around me demand I choose an answer as a rule of thumb concerning social justice.  Christians who side conservatives or liberals allow division to creep in based on their interpretations of the scriptures.  It appears all agree that justice is to be brought, but “how” is under hot debate.  Both sides desire a consistent answer to turn to.

Within the political arena, conservatives wish to believe in the individual and believe that what is best for success is offer the tools and teach the individual how to fish… so to speak.  Liberals wish to create programs to help the unfortunate and give for as long as they have need.  In my observations, the attraction to either party rests within the individual.  If you are someone who enjoys strategy and long term results, conservatism is your bent.  If you are someone who enjoys immediate gratification and rarely notices long term effects, liberalism is your bent. 

Should we as Christians have a bent politically?  What does godly justice look like?  I find myself frustrated with both sides.  To my conservative friends, I wish for them to stop chanting that freedom isn’t free.  I realize this to be true in respect to our military forces, but the freedom we are to dwell on is free!  Also, giving financially is wonderful, but don’t let it be the only thing you do.  To my liberal friends, Christ did encourage the rich to sell everything and graciously give to the poor, but he did not encourage his disciples to steal it from them nor encourage them to shame others into giving or shame them for having wealth.  I struggle to see the glory given to God by enabling idle hands.  To both, I believe the church should take a more active role in social justice and not leave it to government.  Despite my criticisms, I am aware are limited to only 31 years of experiences and bias influences.  I am open to being wrong. 

I find it difficult to choose because I see God in both sides.  We need each other.  We need the analyst.  We need the spontaneous.  We need those willing to dive in and live among the poor.  We need the one of wealth to fund those in the trenches.  We all need to be servants and willing to get on our knees to wash one another’s feet.  We need to stop looking horizontal for uniformity, but look vertical for unity. 

The couple I mentioned before became acquainted with the single mother due to an unplanned pregnancy between her daughter and their son.  The daughter has only known how to manipulate the system to get what she needs.  Jeremy and I were given the opportunity to give many of our early baby items to the young couple.  She was overwhelmed with our generosity.  His parents insisted we ask for some sort of payment.  We have asked their son to help us with some work we are doing for a friend in exchange.  Should I feel guilty for not just giving graciously with nothing in return as some liberal Christians might feel?  I shouldn’t.  Earning something brings a sense of pride and accomplishment.  Our witness is not ruined, but enhanced.  We get an extra day to witness to this young man.  Should we feel justified in asking them to work because of their foolish actions as some conservative Christians might feel justified? Absolutely not!  Granting judgment free interactions should be giving without limit.  To me, that is godly justice.  Grace, respect, and time to show love.