The partial government shutdown is now in its fourth week and some are starting to feel the effects. Both sides of the political spectrum have crystallized around their position, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. There are, on both sides, some who are attempting to compromise, but for now, they are the minority. What should a Christian do when the government shuts down?
The Consequences of a Shutdown
The approximately 800,000 unpaid government workers are not the only ones affected by the shutdown. Many contractors and sub-contractors will also be impacted. Family members of those who are affected will be strained in their attempts to provide support.
The shutdown has taken a widespread, but uneven toll, devastating some Americans while going virtually unseen by others. You may not be affected at all — but, as a Christian, you should respond.
Lessons from the Life of Jesus
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt. 5:4). We must stand with those who are mourning. We must weep over the things that break the heart of God.
Jesus never encountered a government shutdown. He lived in an advanced agrarian society under oppressive rule. The kind of government we live under is fundamentally different from that which Jesus experienced.
However, Jesus did give us clear direction on what to do when those around us are hurting. He also gave us clear direction on how to deal with those who are working against us. Wherever you land on the political spectrum, Jesus has a word for you on what to do when everything seems to be falling apart.
1. Help the hurting wherever you can.
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:13-14).
State agencies are warning food stamp recipients to carefully budget their grocery purchases once they receive their February benefits weeks earlier than normal due to the partial government shutdown.
The Department of Agriculture’s backup plan for paying out Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits amid the lapse in funding means it could be 40 days — or longer, in some cases — before additional money is added to recipients’ benefit cards. There is also no guarantee about when nearly 39 million low-income Americans will next receive another payment to help them buy groceries.
Many of those impacted by these potential shortfalls will be children. The Scripture says that the “people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them … Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’” (Matt. 19:13-14).
If you know someone affected this way, you should consider ways you can help. Mobilize your family, friends, and church to join you in helping those who are most affected by the shutdown.
2. Pray for those non-government workers who are impacted.
To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:33).
It’s difficult to know all the ramifications of the shutdown. Even if your neighbor is not a federal employee, they could still be impacted.
For instance, many contractors and sub-contractors have found themselves suddenly out of work and, unlike the federal employees working without pay, contractors have no expectation of recovering missed wages.
Pray for your neighbor. Talk to them. Ask them if they are being affected. Do what you can to help.
3. Pray for those who sacrifice to protect us.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 13:16).
There are people who are always ready to put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. Many of them will not be affected by the shutdown … but some will.
Members of the Coast Guard missed their paychecks on Tuesday, the 25th day of the shutdown. If it lasts through Friday, Federal District Courts will run out of money. Civil cases would potentially face postponement or suspension, though criminal cases would proceed.
The partial government shutdown is more than three weeks old, and the nation’s airports are straining under the pressure for continued security.
Unfortunately, sometimes the first to feel the impact are those who are on the front lines serving our country. Pray for those who serve so faithfully!
4. Pray for all our political leaders.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12).
Ultimately, our battle is not against each other. Christians should keep an eternal perspective. Our battles are against spiritual forces in this world.
Jesus told us to pray for each other … and even for our enemies (Matt. 5:44).
The Apostle Paul explained that while we are in this world, like it or not, we are subject to ruling authorities (Rom. 13:1). The implication is that we better pray for them!
Try praying for the political leaders that you disagree with — anyone can pray for those on the same side (Matt. 5:46).
5. Take political action.
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17).
Praying is great, but it should always propel you into action. We are not of this world, but we care about this world. We are called to be conduits of God’s love and ambassadors tasked with the goal of peace-making (Matt. 5:9) and reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18).
I’m not telling you which side to take — you are more than capable of making that decision yourself.
I’m encouraging you to call your Senator or representative and encourage them to work for peace and reconciliation — to work toward a solution that will stop the potential suffering of thousands.
6. Remember, that you are a child of the King and a citizen of another Kingdom.
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36).
I love my country. I know you do too. And I think you should be the best citizen that you can possibly be.
However, especially in times like this, you should always remember that “this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:31). Ultimately, we answer to a higher authority (Phil. 2:9-11), and we serve the one who proclaims “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18).
The Apostle Paul reminds us, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20).
While Jesus calls us to be good citizens on this earth, he always points us to a higher calling — the calling of Jesus to follow him to the ends of the earth (Matt. 28:20).
REMEMBER — You are a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and he has promised to never let go of you!
