Sounds like a good idea right? Well, if you were looking at it from a biblical viewpoint it would be, just one problem, it doesn’t have biblical roots. The GIVE Act actually is an acronym (shocking I know) for Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education, and is actually an amendment to the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Combined with the SERVE Act, Supporting Emergency Responders Volunteer Efforts, will cost taxpayers about $6 billion dollars. Wait, 2 volunteer programs are going to cost $6 billion? It’s volunteer! Or is it?
An excerpt from the Bill HR1388 states that:
(6) Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
Mandatory Volunteering? Here’s the problem with this legislation; America has always been a very giving nation, both monetarily and through acts of service, when you make giving and service mandatory it turns people off. When the government begins to implement mandatory service programs we lose sight of the heart behind the act and it becomes more like a chore or job. Don’t mistake these Act’s for goodwill, they are a create-work, money pit.
Just as I mentioned last week in the Service Post, we Christians should perform acts of service to allow the Light of Christ to shine. It is an outward expression of an inward connection that allows others to see how God works in the life of a believer. Our intent behind service should be like the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 4:12, “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”, not for the glory of man.
All our offerings, whether of music or martyrdom, are like the intrinsically worthless present of a child, which a father values indeed, but values only for the intention. — C.S. Lewis
