“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this
way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each
one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone
else, for each one should carry their own load.” Galatians 6:2-5
If you wonder, “Where did America begin to
go wrong?” you can begin here with a misunderstanding or disregard of this
Scriptural principle.
Biblical wisdom offered by Paul and
inspired by the Holy Spirit says each of us must carry our own load but when
the load gets too heavy we should be available to help lift the load for a while.
That is Christian love and compassion.
That builds healthy relationships, healthy fellowships, healthy families and
healthy people.
As I shared in the previous post, the
Greek word used in these verses is a shipping term. A “load” denotes the
capacity of a ship. So, when the entire capacity of a ship is filled with cargo
that ship is said to be carrying its “load”. However, if more is added to that
ship it will be burdened and becomes in danger of sinking. If that should
happen then another ship would come next to it and help bear the burden of the
load by taking on some of the cargo.
That used to be the norm for our American
culture. Each American was expected to carry his own load. As a result each
American developed a self-sufficiency and independence that led to citizens
that were strong and proud. When a neighbor or family member became overloaded
and burdened they would come alongside them to help bear the burden.
However, when that principle is not
honored and people begin picking up the load of others in a misguided effort to
help others they hurt them rather than helping them. When a person is not
allowed or not expected to carry his own load his capacity for load carrying is
diminished. Rather than becoming stronger and increasing his capacity for carry
life’s demands he loses that capacity and becomes easily over loaded. In
addition, the well-meaning person in trying to carry the load for another
becomes unable to bear his own load.
Multiply that across scores of families in
scores of cities and towns across the 50 States of America and it totals up to
overloaded people, families stressed to the breaking point and thousands of
needy people.
As people and families and towns and
cities and states become overwhelmed, political leaders see an opportunity to
expand their power by offering government assistance in carrying their load.
But since government has not resources other than what they take from their
citizens via taxes and fees, the financial load increases for everyone. It
doesn’t take long for government to become larger and stronger while the
citizens become weaker and more dependent.
Rather than developing Home Run People you
have a system that develops strike out people.
When this Biblical principle is applied in
individual lives, in families and in communities you have the benefits of
Christian living. You have strong people and satisfied people.
But when you violate this principle in the
ways mentioned above you have socialism or even communism.
As I have listened to the Presidential
Candidates debates from both parties I have heard the candidates offering more
promises of how they will use government to carry more of the load for
individual citizens. Never mind a mounting debt over $19,000,000,000 and
growing annual budget deficits continue to promise more. The increasingly more
dependent citizens grow weaker and the State rapidly gains strength and dominance
over those individuals. With every promise of security comes increased
dependence and reduced freedom.
“What can I do about this?” you may be
wondering. One thing you can do is Raise Home Run Kids! Take to heart the
teachings of the last several weeks and apply them to your child rearing. Cultures
are restored one healthy family at a time and one healthy church fellowship at
a time!
Carry you own load. Raise children who are
taught to carry their own load. Connect with a church fellowship that can
encourage you and carry your burdens when necessary.
