BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

Oct. 2003 This is one of the first articles by David Barton to be published in BVOV. America’s Gift of Government by David Barton When we stand before God at the final judgment, He will ask for an account of what we did with all the blessings He gave us—our lives, our families, our material possessions. Some will reply, “Lord, I loved my wife, I raised my children right, I was a good steward with all that You gave me.” “Well done,” He will say. But then He will ask, “I gave you a government—what did you do with it?” Many Americans will not have an answer. In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 and Luke 19, a master entrusted each of his servants to be stewards, or managers, over a certain number of talents, then he departed for a season. When he returned to settle accounts, two of his servants had multiplied the talents they were given and they were rewarded for being good stewards. But because the third servant was afraid, he hid his talent. He did nothing with it. That servant got into trouble with his master. Like the fearful servant, for years many Christians have chosen not to get involved in what is going on in the world politically. We have let fear, confusion and apathy keep us from taking our proper place in this country. The interesting thing about the servants in this parable is that not one of them asked to be a steward over the talents he was given. Still, the master held them accountable. In the same way, as Americans we didn’t ask to be born here. We didn’t ask for this government. Nevertheless I believe God is going to hold us accountable for what we do with what we’ve been given. Being involved in the civil arena is not an option…especially in America. We’re Responsible to Choose I have always believed the Word of God applies equally to people everywhere at all times—that God will bless any nation that will do what He says. But our Founding Fathers said Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn,” has a different meaning in America than in other nations. Why is that? Because 200 years ago in America, we were the first nation in 2,000 years where the people were able to choose whether the righteous would rule or the wicked would rule. The founders considered our government a “stewardship government.” Other countries were ruled by a king who was born into that leadership position. If he was righteous, the people were blessed. If he was wicked, the people suffered. They didn’t get to choose their leaders. But God gave Americans this government with the opportunity and the responsibility to choose godly leaders. And we will have to answer for what we do with that responsibility. “The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon and choosing the forms of government under which they should live. “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”—John Jay, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court BVOV : 23

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