stuck in my craw, though, and that is the whole charity thing. Too often I have known Christians who feel there should be a charity for this and a charity for that instead of a government funded process. Aside from the concern of having taxes go to pay for something that upsets them (and who doesn't feel that way about one issue or another) this is mainly about the whole "sacrificing for God of my own free will" thing, and that having the money taken in taxes doesn't count because they didn't get a chance to sacrifice the money by their own choice.
But here's the thing. I don't think God as they understand him is really tallying up brownie points for each time they give. I think, too, that he understands that having the money come from their taxes still has the end result of caring for others. And nowhere does it say that you couldn't give to charity above and beyond whatever was taken from your taxes to care for others. And if there is still concern expressed as, "But the government took all my money and I have no more to give!" I would just remind them that Jesus understands if you don't have a lot to give. Really, he does.
Mark 12:41-44
The Widow's Offering
41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny.
43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
Ultimately, what matters more? Funding some care for some people through charitable giving, or funding more care for all people through taxes. Which one really matters more to God?