SNAP Cuts and the Sin of Greed
Calling out the grift and practicing a theology of abundance
Contributor: Jemar Tisby, PhD
Few things outrage me more than seeing poor people anxious about putting food on the table while the president and his family get richer by the billions.
On November 1, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will no longer have funding.
SNAP helps feed more than 40 million low-income Americans, including children, the elderly, and the disabled.
They are facing food insecurity while the president has used his political office for personal profit.
There’s a word for this kind of malfeasance—Greed.
Photo Credit: The Guardian
The Trump Family Grift
According to one article,
“The Trump family (including Jared Kushner) is now worth an estimated $10 billion, having nearly doubled its net worth since last year’s election.”
Largely because of crypto, Trump’s fortune jumped $3 billion in one year since retaking office as president.
Another article explains that World Liberty Financial, a crypto platform started by Trump (and sons) and Steve Witkoff (and sons), sends 75% of its profits to the Trump family.
“In March this year, World Liberty Financial announced it had sold $US550 million worth of its token. Four Corners estimates this has delivered $US390 million in revenue to the Trump family.”
Corey Frayer, an advisor to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said,
“If you want to use your presidency to sell influence or just make money, crypto is a great way to do that.”
In addition, Trump often demands that official government business be conducted at one of his properties such as Mar-A-Lago.
Taxpayers foot the bill while his companies profit.
God vs. Mammon
Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley wrote a book titled, The Anti-Greed Gospel: Why the Love of Money is the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward.
In it he writes:
“Jesus is not exaggerating when he says we cannot serve two masters: God and Mammon. The parallelism ought not be ignored. We have a choice; there is no both/and option. We will hate one and love the other. But the fact of the matter is that Mammon will demand our blood, the blood of our brothers and sisters, and the blood of our neighbors. Our accumulation necessitates exploitation.”
The love of money is rooted in a theology of scarcity—the belief that there isn’t enough.
Not enough resources, love, or grace, so we must hoard and compete, rather than trust in God’s abundant provision.
Generosity as Resistance
In a culture of hoarding, generosity is an act of resistance.
Sharing reorders our hearts. It dethrones money and enthrones love.
When we distribute resources equitably, we declare theology of abundance: “There is enough. God provides. We are not enemies; we are neighbors.”
When we break the bread and share it, there is enough for all.
But when we hoard it—like the manna in the desert—it rots and decays.
So our call cannot be ignored. We must hold leaders accountable with both truth and compassion.
We must support policies that reflect love of neighbor, not love of wealth,
We must practice small, consistent acts of generosity that bear witness to God’s abundance.
As Jesus said, “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
A nation that worships wealth will always sacrifice the poor.
But followers of Christ are called to live differently—with open hearts, and open hands, fiercely and fearlessly.
