Insurance or faith in God?

Several years ago, I received a letter from ‘A Reader’  after he or she read my newsletter.  ‘A Reader’ had a concern which I addressed as best as I could.  I believe there are others, especially Christians, who may have similar questions.  Here is an extract from his letter followed by my reply.

“ However, what doubted me was that when God is our provider, why do we need to insure ourselves against all illness, when God is our healer, great physician.  And why do we need to take up big life insurance policy for our life which is given freely from God.

I am always not convinced to see people who said they trusted the Lord and yet take up big policies to protect both themselves and their family members & also those believers who are actually promoting insurance policy!

I hope I have not offended you in any way but do give a thought to my note to you. ”

My reply:

Insurance is not expressly forbidden nor authorised in the Bible.  However, there are some Bible principles that should be considered in the matter.

Insurance is a financial planning tool at our disposal.  It is saving up money for your wife and children if it is life insurance on the head of the home.  It is saving up money to pay for a possible automobile accident when it is motor insurance.  It is not unlike saving up money in the bank.

A Christian will have to make the proper decision about insurance on the basis of faith and his responsibility.  The act of faith is strictly a personal matter between him and God, not universal.  Some Christians have faith that God will heal them directly while others trust God to heal them through doctors.  Do not expect everyone to do the same when they do not face the same situation in which they are challenged to exercise their faith.  Otherwise, they may be guilty of negligence and also for not properly discharging the responsibilities God has given them as parents, children, etc.  He has to have faith and trust the Lord about it to take the step.  We ought not to tell anybody not to buy insurance or to drop it if he possesses any.  We should encourage him to trust the Lord and seek His righteousness more and more.  Then let him make the proper decision based on his calling, responsibility and faith in God.

Oftentimes, other people are involved and we ought not to ask them to act on our faith.  For example, we carried insurance on the house because those from whom we made the hosing loan wanted that security.  They had a right to ask for it, and so we carried insurance on the house to satisfy their need.  Also, we owe it to God and society to ensure that our family are cared for.  Think of it for a moment.  If our loved ones need our contributions now while we are alive, won’t they need  the same, if not more, when we are gone?

If we have dependants, we do our best to provide for them, not only while we are here on earth, but also after we are gone, or are unable to care for them.  1 Timothy 5:8 says “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.”

I am proud to be an insurance man.  I often remind myself that “ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress …”(James 1:27).