Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Queries on Insurance
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12: 22-26.
If we are not to worry, but to rely on God, why should we have insurance?
Are there some times when we should have insurance? What should we insure, and for how much?
Are there times when we could use insurance, but shouldn't? What needs does insurance satisfy in our economic system? Are there other ways we could meet these needs?
What effects does insurance have on other aspects of our economic system? How can we, in our use or nonuse of insurance, help to make our world more like the Kingdom of God?
If we are not to worry, but to rely on God, why should we have insurance?
Are there some times when we should have insurance? What should we insure, and for how much?
Are there times when we could use insurance, but shouldn't? What needs does insurance satisfy in our economic system? Are there other ways we could meet these needs?
What effects does insurance have on other aspects of our economic system? How can we, in our use or nonuse of insurance, help to make our world more like the Kingdom of God?
Labels: insurance, Luke 12, queries
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The topic of insurance is one to which I've given quite a bit of thought. I can see how some people might use the argument that they don't need insurance--God will provide for all their needs. I believe this argument is flawed, however, as God provides for our needs in a variety of ways. It's akin to someone suffering an infection refusing to take antibiotics, instead proclaiming their faith that God will heal him. Is it not true, though, that God is already offering them healing by giving them access to antibiotics to kill the infection? Certainly one has the right to refuse medical treatment, but must accept the consequences and not blame God for not providing.
My husband and I take the approach of insuring necessities whose loss would be financially ruinous, and accepting some risk ourselves. For example, we have our homeowner's policy deductible set at $1000. If damage of $1000 or less were to occur to our house, while unfortunate, it would be a loss we could financially handle. However, if, God forbid, our house were to burn to the ground, that would be financially ruinous to us. So we have our house insured.
Certainly God does command us not to worry about the future. Some make take this to mean "don't have insurance." But paradoxically, having an adequate amount of insurance (adequate obviously requiring definition by each individual and his/her financial situation) lessens our need to worry. I believe that not insuring the necessities such as our home, cars, and health is to not be good stewards of the blessings God has bestowed upon us.
The rising costs of health insurance premiums is a problem almost everyone faces at some point. Certainly we have the right not to have health insurance, but one must give careful consideration before making that decision. With some cancer treatments running into tens, even hundreds, of thousands of dollars per year, only the very wealthy or the well-insured could afford such treatment. Of course I believe it is not immoral to refuse such treatment. It is simply a decision that must be made with the utmost consideration not only for oneself but also one's family. And the decision to not carry health insurance must also carry with it the recognition of such a possibility.
On the subject of health insurance, I read an interesting article a few weeks ago about an organization called Medi-Share. Apparently it is a non-insurance alternative to healthcare costs in which the members all share the costs of each other's health care. The requirements for membership include not smoking, being under 65, living a healthy lifestyle, and being a Christian. I don't know the specifics of the plan (such as whether or not your membership be revoked if you do develop a costly and lengthy illness) but I do find the concept interesting.
Best of luck with the success of your blog.
(And "hi" from your sister-in-law!)
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My husband and I take the approach of insuring necessities whose loss would be financially ruinous, and accepting some risk ourselves. For example, we have our homeowner's policy deductible set at $1000. If damage of $1000 or less were to occur to our house, while unfortunate, it would be a loss we could financially handle. However, if, God forbid, our house were to burn to the ground, that would be financially ruinous to us. So we have our house insured.
Certainly God does command us not to worry about the future. Some make take this to mean "don't have insurance." But paradoxically, having an adequate amount of insurance (adequate obviously requiring definition by each individual and his/her financial situation) lessens our need to worry. I believe that not insuring the necessities such as our home, cars, and health is to not be good stewards of the blessings God has bestowed upon us.
The rising costs of health insurance premiums is a problem almost everyone faces at some point. Certainly we have the right not to have health insurance, but one must give careful consideration before making that decision. With some cancer treatments running into tens, even hundreds, of thousands of dollars per year, only the very wealthy or the well-insured could afford such treatment. Of course I believe it is not immoral to refuse such treatment. It is simply a decision that must be made with the utmost consideration not only for oneself but also one's family. And the decision to not carry health insurance must also carry with it the recognition of such a possibility.
On the subject of health insurance, I read an interesting article a few weeks ago about an organization called Medi-Share. Apparently it is a non-insurance alternative to healthcare costs in which the members all share the costs of each other's health care. The requirements for membership include not smoking, being under 65, living a healthy lifestyle, and being a Christian. I don't know the specifics of the plan (such as whether or not your membership be revoked if you do develop a costly and lengthy illness) but I do find the concept interesting.
Best of luck with the success of your blog.
(And "hi" from your sister-in-law!)
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: 2/08/2007 11:58 AM
: 2/08/2007 11:58 AMSubscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
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