Insurance: Responsible Stewardship or Reckless Gambling
Hello all. This will be my last post of the week as I retreat this evening to a secluded place for a couple of days of pastoral reflection, prayer, and planning.
Before I go, I want to pick up briefly on the thoughtful questions offered by you guys in commenting on my post yesterday. What are we to make of buying insurance? Is it a gamble or an act of love and stewardship? Not an easy question. I don't pretend to have complete or well-thought out answers. These are quick off the top of the head reflections thrown in your direction for a kind of group conversation. I'll be interested to hear from you all on it.
In favor of insurance I think some would argue that it is in line with biblcal commands to be like the ant, "storing up food in summer for the winter season" (Proverbs 6:6), and that it is a legitimate application of the call for parents to save up for children (2 Corinthians 12:14).
Some would argue that insurance is responsible planning for future needs. It could also be argued that house insurance or life insurance is similar to a poor man's means of providing an inheritance for his wife and children, if he should die prematurely.
Also in favor of insurance is the argument that those who do not have it may perhaps unwittingly, be assuming (some would think presuming) that others will foot the bill when need arises. If I do not have life insurance, who will provide for my family? Someone will have to. Insurance is a way for me to contribute to that now. If I don't have insurance for my home then who will foot the bill when a tornado hits? Someone always has to provide the money for everything. Is insurance a way for me to at least try to contribute my fair share in that responsibi;ity? Is insurance, in this light, a form of love for others who would otherwise have to pick up the pieces of my or my family's need?
Against the idea of insurance is that it leads away from daily reliance on God, and may violate the Matthew 6:25-34 call to be concerned with today only and to leave tomorrow to God. But is Jesus really prohibiting such things as planning for the future? Proverbs 6:6 and James 4:13-16 would both seem to encourage faith-based and God-submitted planning for the future.
Still, it is clearly a danger that people can put way too much focus on the future and become obsessed with their accounts, insurance policies and savings. In the end too much concern about this leads to a reliance on money, not on God; something God specifically forbids in 1 Timothy 6:17. Money-trust may well be the very essence of materialism.
Some would also say that present tense needs in the kingdom are often neglected because people are saving up for the future. I certainly have seen this on more than one occasion. This does seem to be a very real concern for Jesus since in MAtthew 6:33 He urges concern for the kingdom first and for future needs second.
This is a tough set of principles to balance. What do you think?
Before I go, I want to pick up briefly on the thoughtful questions offered by you guys in commenting on my post yesterday. What are we to make of buying insurance? Is it a gamble or an act of love and stewardship? Not an easy question. I don't pretend to have complete or well-thought out answers. These are quick off the top of the head reflections thrown in your direction for a kind of group conversation. I'll be interested to hear from you all on it.
In favor of insurance I think some would argue that it is in line with biblcal commands to be like the ant, "storing up food in summer for the winter season" (Proverbs 6:6), and that it is a legitimate application of the call for parents to save up for children (2 Corinthians 12:14).
Some would argue that insurance is responsible planning for future needs. It could also be argued that house insurance or life insurance is similar to a poor man's means of providing an inheritance for his wife and children, if he should die prematurely.
Also in favor of insurance is the argument that those who do not have it may perhaps unwittingly, be assuming (some would think presuming) that others will foot the bill when need arises. If I do not have life insurance, who will provide for my family? Someone will have to. Insurance is a way for me to contribute to that now. If I don't have insurance for my home then who will foot the bill when a tornado hits? Someone always has to provide the money for everything. Is insurance a way for me to at least try to contribute my fair share in that responsibi;ity? Is insurance, in this light, a form of love for others who would otherwise have to pick up the pieces of my or my family's need?
Against the idea of insurance is that it leads away from daily reliance on God, and may violate the Matthew 6:25-34 call to be concerned with today only and to leave tomorrow to God. But is Jesus really prohibiting such things as planning for the future? Proverbs 6:6 and James 4:13-16 would both seem to encourage faith-based and God-submitted planning for the future.
Still, it is clearly a danger that people can put way too much focus on the future and become obsessed with their accounts, insurance policies and savings. In the end too much concern about this leads to a reliance on money, not on God; something God specifically forbids in 1 Timothy 6:17. Money-trust may well be the very essence of materialism.
Some would also say that present tense needs in the kingdom are often neglected because people are saving up for the future. I certainly have seen this on more than one occasion. This does seem to be a very real concern for Jesus since in MAtthew 6:33 He urges concern for the kingdom first and for future needs second.
This is a tough set of principles to balance. What do you think?
Labels: Faith, Materialism, money
posted by Tim Shorey at
8:30 AM
22 Comments:
Hmmm... interesting thoughts. I tend to feel like NOT having insurance is just asking for disaster. But I can certainly understand the concept of someone becoming obsessed with their accounts. Never really thought about it. But now I will and get back to this post. Can't wait to see what others have to say.
I see insurance as a means of the poor and middle class to use the power of large numbers to counteract risk. The insurance company is not really gambling with you. They are writing thousands of policies with the expectation that they will only have claims on a few. You, as the purchaser of the policy, get the benefit of the pool of money should you encounter a loss. I don't believe insurance should ever be compulsory. I groan over the idea that every American will be forced to buy a health insurance policy under a bill currently being debated in Congress. I also think compulsory auto insurance is just a subsidy for the auto insurance companies. Free citizens should have the liberty to prioritize their own budgets. I do think though that insurance is a great tool for those of us that do not have the resources to replace a catastrophic loss should it happen. Full disclosure: Insurance is my professional field. :)
I think the Amish have a good thing going. But they are "off the grid". If a house burns down, they all stop everything and rebuild it. They drive buggies pulled by horses, when the horse dies, so does their transportation. But then they raise their own horses. When one is ill, they all come to the aid of the family. Without modern farming equipment, they have straighter corn rows than I've seen planted with a John Deere tractor. These folks have no insurance. On the other hand, Tim, if your house burn't to the ground and you had no insurance, and say 5 young ones to support, who will take off 3 months from work to build you a new home. I honestly believe that the brethren at TFC would house and feed your family for a while. But then what? This throws a big question on whether a Christian should even have a mortgage. I agree with Adam on health Insurance. It's nothing more than a Pharmaceutical annuity mixed with totalitarian Government control. In NJ, one cannot legally operate a motor vehicle without an insurance policy expensive enough to cover the highest fraud rate in the country. My opinion is that some support functionality must be in place to be responsible stewards of what God has given us.(Wife,children, etc) this may come in the form of a financial instrument or trusted and reliable human resources.
My thoughts.
JR
"Is insurance, in this light, a form of love for others who would otherwise have to pick up the pieces of my or my family's need?"
This is perhaps the most thought-provoking quote from the post for me. I think it gets at the heart motivation of the person purchasing the insurance. Is it so that I won't be inconvenienced? Or is it so that someone else won't have to sacrifice greatly to take care of me and/or my family because I didn't take the available steps to prevent it.
And then, there's the obsession factor--is one worrying about the future, resulting frenzied and compulsory "preparing" for it? Or is one buying the affordable insurance policy, and then trusting that God will insure that should a catastrophe happen, the policy will cover or the church will fill in the gaps?
I sort of see this in the same light as the mention of medications a while back. Aren't we simply making use of something that God has created as a means to provide His grace to us?
Am I making any sense? :-)
Keep talking folks; it's good for us ad helps crystalize thinking...
Tim
Okay. So I don't have any big words, or deep thoughts like the rest of the people here. But, I don't see anything WRONG with it? I see it as how we talked the other day dad with medicine, is it wrong to take medicine and depend on that? Well, it would be wrong if we thought the medicine was the cause of all healing, God is still the root of it. But, part of the process God uses, is through the medicine.
Anyways. I don't think it's WRONG to have insurance. I think if everyone took it for granted that God DOES have control, and that you're just trusting your insurance to take care of things. That's wrong, But insurance could be a part of life God intended for us to use for our benefit,
"Or is it so that someone else won't have to sacrifice greatly to take care of me and/or my family because I didn't take the available steps to prevent it."
Like that, I don't see as wrong. I think it would be a legit reason to buy insurance if it was to take care of your loved ones.
What do I know, I'm probably just saying what everyone's thought about. Either way, I enjoy listening in on you guys.
This is really thought-provoking.
I don't have health insurance, or life insurance, for that matter.
I'm single...healthy (for now)... have no debt...I guess I think that for now it is not necessary, or at least that there is not much to lose were something to happen.
However, I think that if other people were depending on me for financial support, I would definitely have insurance.
How do you determine what types of insurance are wise and what are 'excessive?' Is it one of those areas that each person must be 'convinced in his own mind' as to what is right for them?
That is what my initial reaction is...but who knows what presuppositions lead to that!
Tim, in reading through your thoughts, both pro and con, the impression it left me with is that you made the case (perhaps unintentionally----perhaps not) for the legitimacy of insurance in principle, while also establishing the case for how it can be abused.
What do you think?
Also, in connection with some of the comments, as a general principle, it seems to me that we need to be careful about crossing the line between trusting God and presumption or putting God to the test. We need to keep in mind that while God ordains the ends (in this case, our material/physical provision in the event of a catastrophe), He also ordains the means to those ends (insurance?). For example,should we advocate not having police or a military, believing we are to just trust God? It does not seem to me that the Bible generally supports such an approach (I of course acknowledge that we can sinfully put our trust in these things). There are complexities of course, and much more can be said to be sure-----so what I am saying is not offered as the final word (not that I would have the final word anyhow).
In good JR style----my thoughts(at least some of them).
By the way David, good to see you chiming in of late to the postings!
Well, much of my thought process has been stated by you all.
I can tell you that I have been one without insurance in the past, and I believe that I was trusting God, yet without much wisdom. I lost almost everything. This is not to say that all are unwise who have no insurance. Some are able to, by God's means, find themselves without the need for it. I wasn't one of them. It may come down to faith, or personality, or wealth, financial status,etc...
My wife was widowed at 21, without any insurance to bury her husband, or get an apartment, or anthing. I promised her that I would not leave her in that way. For me, it gives me comfort in some sense, while my greatest comfort comes from God's promises to provide.
I understand both sides, but my subjective experience tells me to have insurance if possible. If it is not possible, and God has not given us a means to have insurance, fear not, for God is our very best Insurer. This He has also shown me.
Another thought to consider. Our culture seems to almost demand certain things such as insurance.
One cannot buy a car on loan without insurance, drive a car without insurance, or have your son play on a sports team without insurance. Just thinking out loud...
"my subjective experience tells me to have insurance if possible. If it is not possible, and God has not given us a means to have insurance, fear not, for God is our very best Insurer."
a very very good explanation, I think. Thanks, Tom.
Tom, you were there for your wife when her husband died. YOU were God's "insurance" for her, not a large financial settlement. And look at the grace that has followed! Your story is amazing and wonderful Tom! If your wife had rec'd a $500,000 check following her husband's death would you two have met? I don't know the answer to that, just wondering.
This may sound strange, but I think there is a unique blessedness about poverty. I find God's graces most at work in my life when things are not going so well. As long as there is an "Egypt" to lean on, we will look to it, and run to it.
At the Keswick Colony of mercy, the men have an expression: "You never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have." This is profound.
In this string of comments many have suggested something about "being burdensome" to those who may have to step up and help us if we lose our home, or fall into an uninsured illness. But what of the Scripture which teaches us that we "fulfill the law of Christ" by bearing one another's burdens? And will this not also bring grace into the lives of those who are on the giving end?
If we are not careful to think FIRST as Christians, we may fall into the patterns of thought that characterize this particular American Culture in the 21st century.
What's wrong with living in the basement of a church member's home if our's burns down? Is that really so terrible?
We ought to be downright suspicious of anything that has become a cultural norm (insurance, for example) simply because it IS the norm for a society that has long ago abandoned the principles of the Word of God and the love of God.
"What Would Jesus Do?"
I always get a good chuckle when I try to picture Jesus sitting across the table from a financial planner, offering him insurance, or asking him "where do you want to be 15 years from now." Maybe it's the long hair, robes and sandals sitting across from the suit and tie... I don't know, but I think it's more than that.
Forgive me all, if I have offended-- I try to think in radical terms, even if I don't always follow their implications myself.
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 6:30-33
Peter,
I agree that God in His will of decree, His Sovereign oversight, blesses us greatly through suffering and struggles, yet I do not want to have the mindset that might bring problems upon myself so that I might rely upon God. I want to leave those selections up to God.
You are right in saying that God used the whole situation to bring my wife and I together.
You are also right in thinking so radically. I appreciate this very much. Oh, how we need God's grace as we see, in this world, the things of God imperfectly.
It seems to me that this discussion connects interestingly with one that was on this blog a month or two ago. If I recall the situation, there had been a news report about a family whose young child had died of a tremendously treatable illness because the father and the father's spiritual leaders avoided medical treatment stating that they needed simply to trust God.
Is it possible that failing to take advantage of the means of provision that are available to us could be very much the same as that father not taking advantage of medical care for his son?
I think that the point that Tom was God's insurance plan for his wife is true - but that doesn't mean that it was right or loving for her first husband to let that be the case.
It's not that living in a church member's basement is so bad (wouldn't phase me one bit). But does that mean that I shouldn't set things in order to ensure that it doesn't have to be that way for my family if something happens to me? And it doesn't mean that I should presume upon the generosity of the people in the church.
My few thoughts on the subject
Thankfully, we still live in a country where medical care is available to all. No one is turned away from the emergency room. They may have to figure out payment later, but care is available.
The father mentioned in Tim's comment refused medical care on principle. I personally believe we should seek medical attention for our children when they are seriously ill. I almost took our 11year old to the doctor for an ingrown toenail this week because he was in pain. But the Epsom Salts did the trick! Tim, I don't think that story is connected to this discussion about finances, which is what insurance is about.
Really, one cannot "ensure" one's health, or one's life, or one's auto... What insurance does is to "ensure" ones wealth (small though it may be).
At what point does "taking advantage of the means of provision available" become untenable? At what point does the price paid for "peace of mind" become, well, perhaps sinful? What if home insurance, or collision insurance, or life insurance rates rose 100% next year?
Tom's story about his wife argues the point that God has ways and means of providing that are far better than what we can provide for ourselves. Tom has been an incredible blessing in the life of his wife, her daughter, and now in the grandchildren's lives. His attention and care for his family is worth far more than a $500,000 check. I don't know what her first husband's motive were for not providing insurance-- perhaps they were just too young and poor to afford it. It does not mean that he was wrong, or un-loving not to provide it.
The Lord commands us to "bear one another's burdens." He doesn't say, "Allow others to presume upon your generosity when they are in trouble." There is no presumption when one believer in need approaches another believer for help.
Nothing yet has been said about what might be done with all the extra money that the people of God will have! Let's advance the Kindgom... I for one wouldn't shed any tears if the multi-million dollar bonuses paid to insurance execs suddenly dried up!
And what would the world say? "My! See how these Christians love one another!"
My thoughts...
I tried to comment earlier today and when I went to publish it 45 minutes of comments disappeared into cyber-space, never to be seen again. Should have had cyber-space insurance to cover the time loss.
What a conversation folks! Thanks for all the input. Peter, never ever think you're offending anyone. I prefer to think of it as iron sharpening iron.
As I read through all the comments, I come away with the following conclusions:
1. It is clear that there are enough nuances and shades of biblical truth connected to this discussion that we all have to be careful to resist anything like judgmental fault-finding of others who are conscientiously deciding differently in this matter. People are wrestling with real biblical principles in pursuing a concern that the Bible does not addreess directly, so humble openness to others' perspectives is in order (and thankfully has been much in evidence in the conversation!).
2. As with everything, lacking clear biblical command, the real concern in this is the heart; where is each heart as they make decisions re this? For example: if I do not have insurance because I'm expecting others to pick up the tab for my needs or my family's needs; I've sinned. On the other hand, if I have insurance because I'm too proud to have others help me or my family out in times of need, I've sinned.
2. If I am trusting in my insurance rather than in God, I've sinned. But if I'm making no atempt at provision for the future (as per the ant in Proverbs) I've also sinned.
3. If I am doing the insurance thing mindlessly because it's what society demands and I don't have the guts to be humbly counter-cultural to follow my conscience, I've sinned. On the other hand if I don't have insurance because I love being a radical counter-culturalist I've sinned too.
4. If I am absolutely indifferent to my family's needs should I die prematurely I think I've sinned against 1 Timothy 5. But if, on the other hand, I so obsess about those needs that I fail to put the present tense kingdom first I sin against God.
5,. If I don't have insurance that I could afford because I know I can still get medical care anyway--even though it will come out of someone else's pocket, I think that's the sin of stealing. But if I do have insurance because I have no concept of the church being the church and bearing one another's burdens, then that's a failure to know and love and live the Body of Christ.
The heart is what matters most I think. Why are we doing what we're doing?
Wow! Tough questions but we do need to examine motives carefully
so that even if we end up with different conclusions we make sure to have the same motives and intent.
That will please God.
I was waiting for you to come back and clear things up-----I thought you'd never arrive!
Welcome back-----hope you had a wonderful and blessed time before the Lord.
Thanks Tim, that last post really wrapped it up and gave a great summary.
"If I am doing the insurance thing mindlessly because it's what society demands and I don't have the guts to be humbly counter-cultural to follow my conscience, I've sinned."
^ That's me. I just got insurance because that's what everybody around me was doing. I don't think I do that with many things, but this topic I had never given much thought to (Laziness on my part). Besides a passing thought when I changed car insurance a few weeks ago: "Should I get the cheapest policy allowed by law, and trust that God will either spare me from catastrophe or provide for my needs in the event of a total loss?" I have to admit, I thought first about what I could buy with the extra money...and then, without a cheerful heart (selfishness) thought it would be better to give more to the church. Thank you everyone for your insightful and thoughtful comments. You have given me a lot to think about. My thinking led me to do some reading on this topic as well. I have a mini-library for one reason: I'm Bruce's son-in-law :) So I picked up "Money, Possessions, and Eternity" by Randy Alcorn. He had some interesting thoughts: "History has demonstrated that the more prevalent corporation insurance becomes, the more community insurance (the spontaneous and informal provision issued by a spiritual community) is minimized and sometimes virtually eliminated...it may not be so much that insurance has pushed away people from supporting relationships as that insurance has stepped into the void created from people having stepped out of such relationships. But regardless of who is at fault, a tragic erosion of community, church relationships, and commitment has occurred. The natural events of life that once drew people together do so no longer. Because "everything's taken care of," people seldom get meaningfully involved in each others lives...God can work through anything. But he desires to work through people in personal ways, not simply through a huge and impersonal pool of assets...paid (not contributed) by a million people who don't know or care to know who each other are." p. 344-345. Hmmm...thought provoking!
My last thoughts...1) This is a secondary issue in regards to our Christianity. 2) Its clear we must carry insurance where the government requires it (Romans 13:1-7). and 3) Everyone needs to, according to their own situation (spouse, children, etc.) commit to lovingly plan and work for the future, empowered by God's grace and with faith for future grace and provision to the glory of the one who provides for all our needs. But here's the key: John Piper says "The principle is that planning your future so that you live simply and give generously is smart. It's people who want to be rich that fall into many temptations. And that can be now and that can be later. So don't want to be rich! Want to be simple and give yourself wholly to ministry until you drop!" In other words, insurance that is purchased with the intent of providing nothing more than a simple life for those you love is fine. -Chris
Hey Truthseeker (great to see you contribute to the discussion!), wasn't intending to pipe up any further, but since you mention "Money, Possessions and Eternity", I noticed that Randy Alcorn concludes the chapter dealing with the subject of insurance with this helpful thought: "If we do choose to......buy insurance, let us be careful to do so only enough to avoid presuming upon God, but never enough to avoid trusting Him".
That seems wise and to capture the Biblical balance. It also seems to me to sum up in a sentence what Tim has said in greater detail.
Since I stay up the latest, I I get the last word for the day. (Oops, make that the first word for Friday!)
I thought for sure I'd see a comment about my picture of Jesus sitting across the table from a financial planner! Does no one share my sense of humor? Surely!
Question for Bruce: What does Randy Alcorn mean when he suggests that one can presume upon God by not purchasing insurance? In what sense? Are we not commanded to "presume" upon Him for tomorrow's food, shelter, and clothing? Are we not commanded to consider (and emulate) the birds of the air, and the lilies of the field. Do they presume upon God for tomorrow's seed and sunshine?
"Presume" (Webster), "To expect, or assume, esp. with confidence; to take for granted. To take upon oneself without leave or warrant."
We have good warrant to trust God for the future!
Also, does anyone have a response to the assertion that our brother Tom C.'s experience argues for the incredible superiority of God's ways and means over man's idea of provision?
And what about the dollars freed up for ministry, both gospel and benevolence?
I think the Lord's heart is moved when we look to the needs of others first, and disregard our own (often supposed) needs. Would God ever say: "My child, don't be foolish with your wealth... if you give to this need of your brother, how will you make your next property insurance payment?"
Forgive me, I don't mean to be petulant in my remarks.
Can I share something from a father's perspective about giving?
Each year, before Christmas, we receive a gift catalogue from Samaritan's Purse with gift suggestions for the truly poor. $18 for example, will provide milk for a child for 3 months. $5 buys a soccer ball. $8 buys Christian literature for a child's education, $60 buys a milking goat, or blankets, etc.
As the children pass this magazine from one to another they seem touched by the needs they see.
Every year this dad's heart is deeply moved by the way the children give. Some of them give everything they had accumulated that year (birthday money, money from the previous Christmas, odd jobs, etc.). Others give half of their "wealth." I am tempted to remind them that they can keep some of it-- but they don't give it a second thought-- and so I shut my mouth, realizing that if it moves me, their earthly father, how must it touch and please the heart of God.
And the point... will He not surely care for the needs of our children through life, if they develop the habit of using their resources for others, rather than making themselves happy, or comfortable?
I'd love to say more-- but am looking at only 4 hrs sleep at this point!
Besides... I've already said quite enough!
God morning Peter. I trust at least your brief sleep (or was it a nap?) was restful.
As to your question that you posed. Well.........I am wondering if you are selectively looking at this issue? Your reference to Webster's only seems to give one of the possible definitions. It also gives meanings for presume such as "to undertake without leave or clear justification"; "to go beyond what is right or proper"; "overstepping due bounds". I think that in context this is the way Randy Alcorn is using the word. I don't think you are saying that we should act presumptously toward God, are you?
Also, one wonders if you are selectively choosing Biblical passages to draw conclusions that are not in proportion to the totality of what the Bible is teaching? To be sure your point concerning trusting God is certainly right, but is it the whole of he matter? Has God told us other things in His word that need to come to bear upon this also. Might I encourage you to re-read Tim's original post and then his follow-up comments and weigh carefully all he has said, and all the Biblical principles he has given concerning both sides of this issue? It seems to me that you may be only acknowledging one half, so to speak, of the Biblical teaching on this matter, no? Take a step back----what do you think?
However, let me say this----I really appreciate your candor, your confidence in God, your love for the Savior, your tender heart, and your commitment to live a Biblically radical lifestyle. Your thoughts drive us all, or should drive us, to look carefully at the Scriptures and help us pay attention to all that they say and to live under their authority.
Thanks bro.
By the way Tim, you now have the record for the most comments in response to a post, I believe.
Peter, I think the question of presumption re these matters connects to the Proverb which tells us to follow the ant's model by storing up in summer for the winter, and Paul's words that parents are to save up for children.
The concern about unwarranted presumption arises if someone has the ability to save up--either just in a bank account or through a simple, unextravagant insurance policy--and then chooses not to.
Is that then presuming that God who already has provided (by giving us enough to save up some) will provide again (even though He already did provide but we did not have the forethought to save up what He provided.
The point from the proverbial ant is that saving up is not really "man's idea of provision" but God's; leaving the question to be answered: "How does one do that in this society and time?" For many the answer has been to pool resources in a combined saving method called "insurance".
I agree with many of your sentiments and convictions: live simply to give much (thats'really the thought that started this whole conversation!); trust God, not accounts (BTW I think James 4 shows how one may plan for the future without ceasing to trust God for that very same future; it's all about sincere, humble, God-dependent faith that says: "Here are my plans, and here is my modest insurance policy IF God wills."
I also agree with your conviction that we should be looking out for one another in the church in sacrificially generous ways( but again is it not part of looking out for the church to save up if one can so that the finacial burdens are not too great upon her?
After all this is Paul's point in 1 Timothy 5, that families are to provide for their own precisely to make sure that the church "NOT be burdened" (1 Timothy 5:16). Paul apparently is concerned that churches can become overburdened by the material needs of the flock if families are not taking due measures to care for their own (which many would argue would include a modest insurance policy).
In this regard getting some insurance may well be "looking to the needs of others first" the need that they not be overburdened as Paul warns.
I also agree that our "peace of mind" should never come through an insurance policy; that's just the point that I've made that we are never to trust in riches, but only in God.
I also agree that our lives should be marked by radical, risk-taking generosity that always puts others needs before our own (which is why BTW I do spend some money on insurance rather than on a new TV or car--because I am putting others needs before my own desires).
One final thought that is important for all such considerations. I believe that every Christian is responsible to work hard enough to do all he/she can to provide for his own family's present needs, and a bit for the future if possible as well.
But let me be clear: I believe that if a man is working 60 hours a week (I'd seldom if ever recommend more) but is still not able to meet all his family's needs, never mind able to afford any kind of meaningful insurance--whether medical or other--and save up) then he has done the part God requires, and the rest is up to God.
He must trust God alone to provide for his remainig present and future needs. To try to work more and harder would be to violate MAtthew 6 which tells us to not panic or to neglect the kingdom of God in the pursuit of food and clothing.
We can become so concerned to provide that we work too much and fail to seek first the kingdom and the welfare of our souls.
This is gravely mistaken. I often tell people: "Work your 55-60 hours if needed. If that provides enough to meet all your present needs, and to give generously to others, and also to save up a bit via a bank accouunt or insurance policy, wonderful! If not, DON'T work more. Leave the rest with God."
All for now.
After reading these thoughtful comments, considerations, and critiques, one thing is for certain: God has blessed Trinity, and the body of Christ with wisdom, sharp minds, and discerning scales.
Peter, I was blessed by your comment on "dollars freed up for ministry". If even a portion of insurance payments and our investments for our golf course retirements,would be given to advance the gospel, imagine!
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