What happens when families and churches stop carrying responsibilities God gave them and government steps in to fill the vacuum?

Scripture clearly commands God's people to care for widows, orphans, struggling families, and people in genuine need. It also places significant responsibility on families to care for their own. Yet many of those responsibilities have gradually been transferred to government programs.

In this episode, we look at the enormous financial cost of that transfer, but the bigger issue isn't money. Government can provide financial assistance, but it cannot replace relationships. A program can help pay an electric bill, but it can't sit beside a widow, pray with her, or become the church family she needs.

Before Christians complain that government has gotten too big, we need to ask whether we're willing to take back the responsibilities God gave us.

Scriptures discussed: James 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:8; Romans 13:1–7.

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Romans 13 tells Christians to submit to governing authorities. But Peter also said, “We must obey God rather than people.” So where is the line?

In this episode, we look at what biblical submission to government actually means. Submission doesn't require agreement, political support, or silence when government is wrong. Christians can strongly disagree with those in authority while still respecting the authority of the office.

We'll also examine Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and the apostles to see what happens when government commands something that conflicts with God's Word. The question isn't simply, “Do I agree with this law?” but “Has God clearly commanded something different?”

Scriptures discussed: Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17; Acts 5:29; Daniel 3; Daniel 6.

If this episode helped you, share it with someone and talk about it together. Like or rate the Disciple Blueprint Podcast, and follow @discipleblueprint. You can also follow the Disciple Blueprint Podcast on your favorite podcast platform so you don't miss an episode.