Podcast Summary

Live Free with Josh Howerton (Lakepointe Church)

Episode: Did Jesus Command The Government to Feed the Poor?
Date: November 3, 2025

Overview

This episode dives into a pressing question at the intersection of faith, politics, and economics: Did Jesus command governments to redistribute wealth and feed the poor, or is this the calling of individual Christians and the Church? Pastor Josh Howerton, joined by co-hosts Carlos Razer and “Epistle Missile” Paul, explores biblical teaching, theology, and real-world examples on issues of social welfare, socialism, and the functional roles God assigns to the family, church, and the state. The conversation also features an extensive and intriguing segment about prophecy, the return of Christ, and a series of signs interpreted in light of current events.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Intro, Community Connections, and Banter

00:38–08:42

• The episode opens with the team sharing light-hearted moments about hats, U.S. history, candy, and interacting with listeners.
• Shout-outs are given to loyal listeners and to a group of CEOs in LA who analyze the podcast together.

2. The Return of Christ – Signs, Prophecy, and Modern Parallels

11:07–52:02
Josh:

“It’s been a long time since a sermon got this deep into my spirit.” (11:07)

The hosts provide an engaging tour of New Testament teachings on the end times, emphasizing Jesus’ return and the biblical call to always be ready.

Key Prophetic “Signs” Discussed:

1. Increase in Travel and Knowledge

• Daniel 12 prophesies “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
• First time in history anyone can travel globally in 24 hours and human knowledge (thanks to AI) now doubles every 14–20 days.
• “We have a tsunami of knowledge.” (19:32)

2. One-World Economic System and Mark of the Beast

• Revelation 13 discussed: restrictions on buying/selling tied to a “mark.”
• Modern parallels drawn with digital ID proposals in the EU/UK (21:46–22:17).
• “It was like someone read Revelation 13… and thought, ‘let me show you how to do it.’” (22:16, Josh)

3. 666 and Its Origins

• The number 666 refers to “the number of a man”—Nero Caesar in Hebrew gematria equals 666.
• Discussed both as near and future/end-times fulfillment.

4. Rebirth of Israel

• Isaiah 66 prediction of a nation being born in a day reflected in modern Israel’s founding (1948).

5. Technological Fulfillment of Prophecy

• Revelation 11: all the world can see the same event at once—possible only in the broadcast era and now via smartphones.

6. Mass Apostasy

• The “great falling away” is said to be evident in the West; “more people have walked away from team Jesus in the last generation than maybe ever before.” (36:01)

7. Mind-Blowing Bible Fact – Mount of Olives Fault Line
37:38–45:37

• Josh delivers a much-anticipated insight: Zechariah 14 predicts Christ’s return will split the Mount of Olives in two.
• In 1964, a geological survey revealed an east-west fault line under the Mount—directly under the prophesied site, supporting the literal fulfillment of the prophecy.
• Historical Muslim efforts to brick up the East Gate of Jerusalem and plant graves to prevent Messiah’s entry are discussed:

  “That reminds me of when the Romans put Jesus in his tomb and rolled a rock in front—and they said, ‘make it as secure as you can’...” (44:09)

• American cemeteries face tombstones east—towards Mount of Olives, in expectation of Christ’s return.

8. Why Do Christians Long for the Return?

• Parallels drawn between Genesis and Revelation—God restores what was lost.
• “When Jesus comes back at the end, we get to go back to the beginning—and we actually get to go into a new story that will never end.” (48:15, Paul)

3. Christians and Socialism: Did Jesus Command the Government to Feed the Poor?

52:02–end

Setting the Stage:

• With U.S. government shutdowns and 42 million Americans on SNAP, Christians grapple anew with the proper response to poverty.
• Featured clip: NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani expresses overt goals to “seize the means of production.” (54:50–55:27)

What Is Socialism (vs. Communism)?

• Socialism = excessive redistribution of wealth; Communism = government seizes control of production.
• Explained via historical and present-day models.

Theological Foundation: “Kuyperian Sphere Sovereignty”

62:15–68:43

• God ordains separate roles for family, church, and state—each with a lane.
  • Family: Raising, providing for children/members.
  • Church: Preaching, sacraments, discipleship, and charity to the poor.
  • State: Punishing evil, maintaining order (Romans 13; 2 Peter).
• Problems arise when government steps out of its lane—especially when it assumes charity/wealth redistribution (traditionally for family/church).

Quote:

“Bad things happen when the government gets out of its lane and assumes the primary role of charity that churches and individuals should do.” (70:50)

Scriptural & Historical Context

• No biblical examples (except possibly Joseph in Egypt) where God commands government to take and redistribute wealth.
• Laws commanding care for the poor (gleaning) were given to individuals, not the government.
• The New Testament compels voluntary, personal charity, not forced redistribution.

On “the least of these” (Matthew 25):

“Jesus said, if you did it for me—not if you voted to have other people do it for them.” (84:57, Josh)

Real-World Examples of Socialism’s Consequences

• Detailed case studies:
  • Cuba: 90% extreme poverty, massive exodus (77:31)
  • Venezuela: From richest in Latin America (“Saudi Arabia of Latin America”) to 91%+ poverty, 20% of population fled (77:56–80:52)
  • Nicaragua: State repression of churches; 80% Christian, yet heavy persecution (80:52)
  • El Salvador: Civil war fueled by socialist/communist movements (81:44)

Quote:

“What socialism and communism always do is centralize power in the government… They are almost always secular and atheistic leaders.” (80:49, Josh)

Early American Colonies: Plymouth vs. Jamestown

• Both attempted socialism (communal pot) at first—disaster and even cannibalism ensued at Jamestown.
• When Plymouth enforced 1 Timothy 5:8 (“If anyone does not provide for his own...”), productivity increased:

  “This had very good success... the women now went willingly into the field... which before would feign weakness and inability.” (Governor Bradford, quoted at 88:38)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Prophecy’s Vagueness:

  “The vagueness [of prophecy] promotes readiness, not idleness. If you stay ready, you don’t got to get ready.” – Josh (16:55)

• On Artificial Intelligence and the Tower of Babel:

  “Somebody said that artificial intelligence is the new tower of Babel... It’s this idea of, ‘We can know everything. We can be like God.’” – Carlos (19:36)

• On Charity:

  “Let’s not overcorrect against socialistic redistribution of wealth... and then actually cultivate hard hearts of selfishness toward the most vulnerable.” – Josh (60:36)

• On Historical Christianity and Government:

  “Christians have historically been big time small-government people.” – Josh (83:43)

• On Personal Generosity:

  “Carve out a small part of your budget and just call it your blessings budget... Find a way to anonymously bless someone in need.” – Josh (92:17)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Return of Christ / Signs in the Modern World: 11:07–52:02
• All about 666, Nero, and Bible prophecy: 23:08–29:53
• Mount of Olives Fault Line / Mind-Blowing Prophecy: 37:38–45:37
• Theology of Government, Church, Charity — Kuyperian Model: 62:15–68:43
• Downsides of Government Charity; Socialist Case Studies: 76:26–82:58
• Early Colonies: Socialism vs. Biblical Economics: 87:01–92:17
• Practical Application: How to help the poor as a Christian: 92:17–93:57

Takeaways

• Biblically, the responsibility for charity and care for the poor is placed on individuals, families, and the church—not on governments via forced redistribution.
• “Sphere sovereignty” teaches God has designed each institution (family, church, state) with clear roles. When each stays in its lane, society flourishes.
• When government overreaches into areas not assigned by God—especially forced redistribution and social policy—negative societal and economic outcomes historically follow.
• Christians are called to extraordinary personal generosity, not mere political advocacy for state-managed welfare.
• Never lose a heart for the poor or miss the hope and urgency of the gospel—even while holding firmly to God’s ordering for life and society.

For full resources and the “Disciple Guide,” text NOTES to 20411 or visit the Lakepointe Church digital channel.