INSURANCE AND OUR FAITH IN GOD'S PROVISIONTITLE: INSURANCE
AND OUR FAITH IN GOD’S PROVISION VENUE: SIB METRO
CHURCH, CITY MALL DATE: THURSDAY,
AUGUST 6, 2009 TIME:
8:00PM Two questions often asked by Christians with regard to
life insurance are: “Is insurance scriptural?” and “Does
owning insurance reflect a lack of faith?” The answer to both is yes and
no. In this respect believers need to examine the Scriptures and come up with
an answer they can defend biblically. Insurance is not specifically defined in scripture;
however, the principle of future provision is. Owning insurance does not
necessarily reflect a lack of faith in God, though it is increasingly being
used as a substitute for faith in God’s provision. However, just as damaging are the secondary effects
that insurance is having on our society: those of greed, slothfulness, waste,
and fear. Insurance is neither good nor bad, moral nor immoral.
It is a tool that can be used wisely as an asset to Christians and their
families, or it can be used unwisely and can become a disaster (that is, using
needed current funds, robbing God of His tithe, and attempting to protect
families against every conceivable adverse event). Unfortunately, one of the bad side effects of relying
so heavily on insurance to buffer every little problem is that we also buffer
God’s guidance. Thus, there is a transfer of trust from God to insurance. Insurance has commonly been misused either to protect
families or to profit them when its real purpose is to provide for one’s
dependents. God’s Word teaches provision, not protection. Insurance can be used to provide when a potential loss
would be excessive. (Proverbs 27:12
– The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and
suffer for it.) If the family’s primary wage earner has so much
insurance that the family would be better off, financially speaking, after his
or her death, the insurance was purchased for protection, which is not
biblical. Although the purpose of insurance is to provide, it is not intended
to provide with an overabundance. First, let us agree that insurance is not specifically
mentioned in the Bible. If something is not specifically mentioned in the Word
of God, then we must draw from the principles and teaching of the whole
testimony of Scripture. After gathering all applicable scriptural principles,
different believers may come to differing personal convictions. Romans
chapter 14 tells that such situations call for us to allow others to choose
differently in their convictions, and we are to respect that. In that same
chapter it is also written that believers have a responsibility to make up our
own minds. (Romans 14:5
– One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man
considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.) The wording of the text indicates that we are required
to do a thorough study of the Word of God and then to make up our minds as to
what God wants us to do as a personal conviction. We must realize that the
final verse of that same chapter of Romans 14 states that whatever we
decide must be an act of faith. What are some of the principles? We are to obey the
authorities over us. Thus, we are required to have auto liability insurance. We
are to take care of our families. Thus we must plan ahead for the future
benefit of our families. This speaks of saving for future needs such as clothes,
college, and complications. This may also include the planning for taking care
of medical needs by the securing of insurance. This could also include
preparing for the undesired and unforeseeable early demise of a parent. Life insurance can be seen as a lack of faith, love of
money, prudent planning, or possibly wise stewardship of funds. Each
person’s conditions and convictions may differ in these areas. God
certainly advocates planning ahead. The story of Joseph and his wise planning not only
saved the pagan nation of Egypt but also the people of Israel and the lineage
of Christ. (Genesis 41) The bottom line is we must study the Word of God and
call out to Him asking what He would have us do in this and all areas of life.
Buying life insurance in a way that pleases God involves faith. (Hebrews 11:6
– states that without faith it is impossible to please God …) This is the real question, “Will this please my
Father in heaven?” Another verse to consider is (James 4:17 – which makes it clear that if we have a
chance to do good, we not only should but must or else we sin.) The context there is talking about planning and the
future and is a good read for someone struggling with this question. Another
verse that addresses this issue is (1
Timothy 5:8 – Paul says that if anyone does not provide for his
relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and
is worse than an unbeliever.) It states clearly if we want to minister to others, let
us start with our own families. It also makes it clear that men have a
responsibility to take care of the physical needs past, present, and future of
their families. At first glance the Bible seems to advise us not to
think about future risks. (Matthew 6:26
– Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.) But Jesus is not condemning us for planning for the
future so much as warning us not to be anxious about it: (Matthew 6:34
– Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.) Is insurance merely a modern invention to satisfy an
artificially induced need in the consumer society? Is there a biblical
foundation for buying and selling insurance? When does protecting against risk
become a refusal to trust God? Jesus had no need for a physical coverage protection
plan; His heavenly home was already insured. Jesus asked His friends to stick
by him in his last hours. (Matthew 26:38
– Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the
point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”) God can and does provide all, but He also warns
Christians to prepare for disaster and devastation as best they can. It is folly to ignore risk, a game of let’s
pretend that is bound to catch up disastrously with reality someday. We must
assume or retain the most important risks and the most crucial potential
losses. For the Christian this means trusting in God’s
providential care, believing that even temporary reverses will be transformed
into general good, as exemplified by the victory of the cross of Jesus. By retaining or assuming these noninsurable risks, we
are called not only to trust God but to exercise faithful stewardship of our
life, marriage, home, driving, possessions and ultimately the environment. God
is the ultimate owner of everything; what we render is stewardship or regency. So the proper management of our lives is intended to
reduce risk. Keeping an automobile in good repair, for example, is assuming the
risk and managing it by good stewardship. The most common way to manage risk is to share it
through buying insurance. Most insurance is simply a form of neighbor love
expressed impersonally without knowing who our neighbors are. The insurance
company becomes our symbolic neighbor. Some Christians think it is very unspiritual to buy
life insurance and they say “Shouldn’t we trust the Lord to
provide?” When questioned, they will admit to having auto insurance. They
also carry hospitalization policies. They might even go to work every day. If the Lord will provide why do they do those things?
The truth is that God expects us to work and provide for our own. Conclusion Who provides for your family after you die –
yourself or God? After all, if they trust God for their provision, why do they
need it? God created us to live in a physical world in which
there are things beyond our control, such as accidents and diseases. With the exception of those people who are under
conviction not to have any form of insurance, life insurance is a reasonable
and logical expenditure. With careful management, reaffirmation of the
providence of God and wise stewardship of our lives, buying some insurance is
an act of neighbor love and personal responsibility, doing what we can so we
won’t be a burden on others. (1 Thessalonians
4:12 – So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and
so that you will not be dependent on anybody.) (2 Thessalonians
3:8 – Nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On
the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would
not be a burden to any of you.) In reality, we can never eliminate that possibility
fully. And where true family and church community exist, mutual caring is not a
burden but part of the unlimited liability of family love. The temptation of too much insurance can lead to an
illusory feeling that we can control our own futures and live autonomously
without God. Getting a life insurance is alright if the buyer’s attitude
is right – if he sees it as a solid financial tool and doesn’t look
to it as his security. I agree that Christians should look to God as their
source for provision. (Deuteronomy
8:18 – But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the
ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your
forefathers, as it is today.) And at the same time the Bible also says that we need
to plan financially for the future. (Proverbs 6:6-8
– Verse 6: Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be
wise! Verse 7: It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, Verse 8:
yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.) Life insurance is one way to do this. The fact that we do not know exactly when we are going
to die and that we may not have the economic resources to provide for our
families after death is good reason for buying life insurance adequate to
provide for the family in case of death. These are Godly people who love and sacrifice for their
families. Yet they haven’t made the connection between love and providing
for dependants in the event of their death. God said that we are to be responsible for our
families, even in the event of our untimely death. If you have insurance, PRAISE THE LORD for it. Look
upon it as a blessing and not a lack of faith. God has provided it for you
because He loves you. Don’t let God’s blessing become a curse. (1 Timothy 4:4
– For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it
is received with thanksgiving.) There is only one reason to buy life insurance –
it is because you love somebody. Disclaimer: All text and Christian Bible quotes were compiled from
various sources and serves as a source of general information only. It does not
contain exhaustive advice or information relating to the subject matter nor
should it be used as a substitute for legal advice. While every effort has been
made to ensure that the information/views content in this site is relevant, the
publisher is not responsible and does not guarantee the accuracy of the
content. Readers are reminded to seek the help of relevant professionals where
legal or expert advice is needed. Frankie Bugot |
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