As a Christian Pastor, I cannot be silent as the richest man in the world just spent $40 million on lies dressed as advertisements trying to convince us that its ok to destroy an agency devoted to saving the lives of poor people. USAID saves lives around the world which makes us stronger, healthier and more secure. Musk’s claim, along with other conspiracy theorists, is that USAID is wasteful (a ball of worms as he puts it) and should be eliminated. My fellow Americans, Elon Musk is lying to you and misleading you. Before attending seminary I served in the United States Peace Corps and before serving in the Peace Corps I, perhaps like millions of other Americans, did not actually know what USAID was.
What I knew then and what I know now, is I agree with Jesus that “to whom much is given, much is expected” Luke 12:42 and it is a good thing for us to help alleviate hunger and disease (Jesus’ miracles include healing people and feeding people) as this, to me, is what loving one’s neighbor looks like in action (Loving your neighbor is Jesus’ Greatest commandment found in all 4 gospels).
A number of Americans believe we spend a large portion of the federal budget on foreign aid, in large part because conservative US media from AM radio in the 90s to Fox News and its progeny in the 21st century have been very effective in creating the lie that we spend/waste money disproportionately on foreign aid and that this can/should all be done by the private sector.
In fact, USAID is the largest food delivery program on earth, and is less than one percent of the federal budget.
That’s right, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Peace Corps COMBINED account for less than 1% of our federal budget. Both agencies were created in 1961 by President John F Kennedy and have helped billions of people all over the world. That is a proud legacy which is now being dragged through the mud by Musk and Trump as they dismantle USAID. The funds allocated for USAID must be approved by Congress, so dismantling USAID the way it’s currently being done is illegal and literally unconstitutional; prominent Republicans agree on this point. In fact some of the most successful leadership, support and implementation of USAID programs has been by Republicans (see PEPFAR under Bush or even Trump’s first administration).
USAID should not be dismantled, it provides business to American farmers, it provides help to people in need all over the world and feeds people who might otherwise be vulnerable to local warlords, Russia or the Communist Party of China.
I call upon every Christian faith leader (especially those with the largest microphones – Pastors Joel Osteen and Rick Warren – I’m looking to you!), Pastors, Priests, Deacons, Bishops and every Christian to look deep into the Words and teachings of Jesus, to prioritize his greatest commandment of neighbor love, to remember his teaching about helping the poor and not to be like the rich man who walked away from Jesus:
“Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell, and he walked away sad, for he had many possessions.
“How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” -Mark 10:21-25
People of all faiths and all people of good will, please take 15 minutes a day to call your Senators and request that USAID be reinstated.
Rev. Paul Benz, ELCA pastor
Rev Paul Benz is ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and has served as a Chaplain to Seattle Hospitals since 2020. He grew up on Whidbey Island and lives in King County.
This letter was verified for print in the DLJ on Feb. 21 – LAO
