Is It OK To Say No If Asked By The State To House Immigrants?

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘After I <Nehemiah> looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”’ (Nehemiah 4:14)

In Massachusetts, the governor of the Bay State, upon realizing the illegal immigration issue is overwhelming the state’s ability to provide housing, has asked residences to voluntarily ask its residents to house or board migrants in their homes.  This is a question that the individual homeowners need to pray out and ask themselves.  In this case, there is no ‘right or wrong’ answer; there are humanitarian reasons to do so, and one can find that the Lord says to care for the poor (Proverbs 19:17, among many).  This is not a direct command to house an immigrant that one does not know into their home, however, but one cannot be faulted or blamed if they have done so if they have answered ‘yes’ and (hopefully) do so with proper vetting of who they are inviting in..

The other answer is for those that pray on this, and the answer provided is ‘no’.  With a family to protect, it is acceptable not to provide a room for someone to live in for a prolonged period, especially if it is perceived they are a threat to you or your loved ones, or your property.  In Ephesians 5:25, Paul writes that we are to love our wives as Jesus loves His bride, the church, which He died for.  We have a responsibility to protect our families, as Nehemiah said to the Israelites who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls and ramparts.  There is an expectation of being secure in your home and protecting your family – and yourself.

Previous blogs have answered questions on whether it is ‘Christian’ to support a secure border policy and an end to illegal immigration (it is), while it is also important for us who are Believers to help the individual immigrant who had need of food and water.  We can be against illegal immigration and assist the immediate humanitarian need of the illegal immigrant.   Our prayer needs to be for our nation to end policies that allow and reward illegal behavior, and secure the borders and protect its citizens.  We do not have to accept illegal actions, though we must always be like Christ in our actions.  The best answer is to pray and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.