“Christians” is too wide a net to ask for a single mindset on any topic. Relevant here is that the US was settled initially in some areas by Puritanical Calvini

“Christians” is too wide a net to ask for a single mindset on any topic. Relevant here is that the US was settled initially in some areas by Puritanical Calvinists, which is a large twig off the branch of Protestant Christianity. As for my take, a few quick searches about what Puritans thought of the poor will give ample sources for reading. I don’t have a (remembered) source directly for my own knowledge— it was just part of what I learned throughout a rigorous high school and college curriculum, various sources etc. I do remember having to read a sermon by a famous Puritanical Protestant: Sinner In the Hands of an Angry God. It was somewhat of a trend setter in terms of 1700’s fire & brimstone preaching.