Insurance - is it good stewardship or lack of trust in God?

Post by **_Benjamin Ho** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 2:09 pm

Hi Steve,

I'm in a life situation where I actually have life and health insurance and can afford to pay for it. Ever since I heard snippets of your teaching on insurance (not in any particular tape but scatterred throughout various tapes), I learnt that having insurance means putting a certain amount of reliance on the secular world to provide money in times of crisis versus trusting God to provide the money in these times of crisis including having to accept of the possibility of physical death if the money does not come in (e.g., in a situation where medical care can be purchased if there was money).

I'm wondering whether I should just surrender all my insurances and put complete trust on God to support my and my family needs in times of crisis. But there is a question of stewardship which I need to understand first. Is there a possiblity that having insurance is good stewardship and prudence?

I have heard testimonies in church where people were "prompted by God" to buy travel insurance when they normally would not have, and then they find themselves in a serious accident in which the insurance money was there to provide for hospitalisation and medical care.

Also most Christians in my country are not adverse to insurance. Partly because no preacher I have heard so far have preached against insurance. Most preachers would support insurance by prooftexting with 1 Timothy 5:8, which in my opinion leads to the scary conclusion that not buying insurance would mean that I am an unbeliever!

Another question that comes to my mind would be "Isn't buying insurance tantamount to seeing a medical doctor?" As Christians if we are not adverse against seeing a physician when we are sick, i.e. does not show a lack of trust in God to provide physical healing, then having insurance may not mean a lack of trust in God to provide finances. Could this analogy be correct?

Love to hear you on this topic.

Post by **_TK** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 4:17 pm

Hi benjamin

there is a similar thread on this issue-- health insurance and all, under "christian living/ethics"-- the topic is "storing up treasures."

you might want to check that out as well.

you have raised important questions.

TK

Post by **_Steve** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 4:33 pm

Hi Ben,

I personally have preferred to trust God, and carry no insurance other than what is required by law (i.e., auto liability insurance). I am not convinced that it is wrong for others (or even for me) to have insurance. For some, it may be God's will. A lady I heard about went out and got life insurance on herself, because she thought God was telling her to do so. She had no dependants, so she named our church as the beneficiary. She was murdered by a stalker a few days later, and our church received the settlement, which provided for some valuable expansion of the ministry. Did God lead her to get the insurance? I cannot say. Perhaps.

As for the doctor analogy, I do not prefer to trust in physicians for my health. I do see that there could be cases in which the availability of a doctor (like yourself, as I recall) should be viewed as God's provision in an emergency. Similarly, God may provide through insurance companies. The difference is, going to a doctor would be my option of last resort, after I had exhausted every other means by which I would seek health from God. If all else failed, and a doctor was available and affordable, I would tend to view this as God's provision. Those who have insurance would seem to be looking to it as a first resort in crisis, rather than the last resort.

Of course, as with all things Christian, it is the heart—not the resort to an institution—that counts in the sight of God. A person, for all I know, may be able to trust God completely and also have insurance. I don't think I could. But that may just be me.

There is nothing in scripture that I know of that would forbid having insurance, unless doing so amounts to distrust in God or becoming unequally yoked with unbelievers. Therefore, I am not interested in judging another in this matter.

One point of possible inconsistency that has entered my thinking on this subject is that I sometimes consider getting a life insurance policy so as to have something to leave to my family. I have no interest in health insurance, or any other kind that could benefit me in my lifetime. However, since I live in relative poverty, and have little of material value to leave to my children, I have thought it might be no interference with my intention to trust God for all things in my life to provide insurance for my survivors. In former years, I had always thought that if I were to die, members of the body of Christ would be moved to assist my wife and dependant children. However, if I were to pay the premiums now for my family to receive benefit later, the burden of my family's support would not fall upon the body of Christ. On the other hand, for all of my adult life, the burden of my family's support has been carried by generous members of the body of Christ, so perhaps it would not (and should not) be otherwise if I were to die, leaving a widow and orphans behind. I have made no move this direction yet, and am still weighing the legitimacy of my thinking about this.

I would appreciate insight from others.

Post by **_TK** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:17 pm

i wanted to cut and paste this post of mine from the other thread because i am hoping steve g will comment. i think a lot of us could use some guidance in this area.

i just finished listening to steve's teaching on radical christian economics, and what i just cant get comfortable with is the idea that i shouldnt save for retirement or otherwise protect myself from financial ruin. i know we are to trust God, but dont we have to do our part? if at some point in the future paychecks stop, then what? in other words, when all the Christians my age start retiring in 30 years or so, should we all expect God's miraculous provision? or should we do our part now?

steve also talked about medical insurance. i understand his points-- God could heal me; other sources of payment might come in, or i might die and the medical expense be spared. but let's assume that my appendix bursts (not an unheard of scenario) and i have to spend a week or two in the hospital and i survive. the bill will easily run $20-30,000. if i dont have health insurance, who is going to pay the bill? not the govt, because i dont qualify for benefits. not friends or the church-- they dont have that much money either and i would feel rather sheepish about asking them. it just seems oversimplistic to say that God will provide. sure He could-- but how? maybe he already has-- by letting me buy reasonably affordable health insurance as a benefit thru work.

what am i missing here?

TK

Post by **_Allyn** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:38 pm

TK asked:
what am i missing here?

My answer is - experience. Unless you have been where you totally need to depend upon God for your financial situations you may not see the otherside.

I am a self-employed individual. I have tried insurance in one form or the other and found it unaffordable. I, one day turned it over to God over 15 years ago and God has simply provided. We have remained in relative good health. We raised our children and suffered no medical situations we could not pay out of pocket. Now my wife is having some high blood pressure issues and high blood sugar but we are able to cope. I make a very modest income but have been able, through God's blessings, have all we need inspite of myself.

Don't get me wrong. I do not condemn those who have insurance, savings accounts or the k-plan. I just know that one can survive adequately without those things.

I will admit that we do have some inheritance coming our way in due time but that could be 10, 20 years from now and by then I will be in my 60s or 70s. I plan only to work as long as God allows and take each day as He gives me. By the way, My wife fully supports me in this.

Post by **_Anonymous** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:27 pm

One point of possible inconsistency that has entered my thinking on this subject is that I sometimes consider getting a life insurance policy so as to have something to leave to my family. I have no interest in health insurance, or any other kind that could benefit me in my lifetime. However, since I live in relative poverty, and have little of material value to leave to my children, I have thought it might be no interference with my intention to trust God for all things in my life to provide insurance for my survivors. In former years, I had always thought that if I were to die, members of the body of Christ would be moved to assist my wife and dependant children. However, if I were to pay the premiums now for my family to receive benefit later, the burden of my family's support would not fall upon the body of Christ. On the other hand, for all of my adult life, the burden of my family's support has been carried by generous members of the body of Christ, so perhaps it would not (and should not) be otherwise if I were to die, leaving a widow and orphans behind. I have made no move this direction yet, and am still weighing the legitimacy of my thinking about this.

When my husband died we had no insurance of any kind and my kids and I did ok. The body of Christ did come through to help us out, but it might have been nicer if I hadn't had to look for work so soon. Now I have both health and life insurance, and I don't know how I would get rid of them since they are part of my employment package.

Post by **_TK** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:30 pm

thanks allyn--

but what if something drastic happens-- not that we like to think of these things-- and you are hit with a huge hospital bill? what would your options be?

maybe i am just dense. but i know that even a one day stay in the hospital, depending on what diagnostic tests are run, can be in the $10,000 range.

as a practical matter.. or better yet, as a FAITH matter.. what would you do in that instance?

believe me, i am not condemning your choices either. but the reality is that emergency medicine is extremely expensive. this was not an issue in bible times.

thanks for your input!

TK

Post by **_Allyn** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:50 pm

TK

I know it sounds overly simplistic, but you just do what you can and leave the rest to God. Trust shouldn't take leave when the disaster strikes. If this is truly God's world, and if He cares for the smallest detail of His creation, why wouldn't He take care of me and my family? He always has, without fail, and I am not going to stop trusting Him now.
What if I were hit with a huge hospital bill? I would pay. This is the boat I am in and I am content with what I have.

Post by **_TK** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:30 pm

I can accept what you are saying, Allyn.

And i understand that for a self-employed person health insurance is extremely expensive. i happen to be in a position, like michelle, where health insurance is part of a benefits package. i believe that the only way i cannot choose a health insurance option is if my wife provides the primary insurance, and she doesnt.

and believe me, it's still pretty expensive. health insurance, like all insurances (other than life insurance) is something you pay a lot of premium for for something that might not ever happen. that money might very well be better spent furthering the kingdom of God. I get that. but it seems to me that part of being a good steward is protecting oneself, if possible, from financial ruin. now i know you would say: "how do you know that God wouldn't protect you from financial ruin?" or, alternatively, "how do you know God wouldnt WANT to ruin you financially, for His purposes?" both are excellent questions.

i am reminded of the parable Jesus told about the shrewd manager.. remember, his boss told him he was going to fire him, so the manager began making fast friends with his business contacts by reducing their debts. in other words, the manager seemed to be planning for his future. Jesus appears to speak favorably of this, although i realize that there is a deeper level of meaning to the parable.

then again, maybe i'm all wet. this is not an easy issue!

TK

Post by **_Allyn** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:46 pm

TK, you're not all wet.

but it seems to me that part of being a good steward is protecting oneself, if possible, from financial ruin. now i know you would say: "how do you know that God wouldn't protect you from financial ruin?" or, alternatively, "how do you know God wouldnt WANT to ruin you financially, for His purposes?" both are excellent questions.

I wouldn't necessarily say that. I have worked for a company when in my early twenties to mid thirties and I had their involuntary insurance plan. Never once did I have to use it. I am only saying I am in a different situation today. I am forced (gladly) to trust God for my needs. I am in no way opposed to insurance for another. It must be a decision individually made. However, if you are convicted to do something better with your money then you must follow that. You say you have no choice and must have the insurance, so I see no conflict.

Just keep in mind that I am only sharing where I am and how well it has worked.