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What Does the Bible Teach about Life Insurance

 

What Does the Bible Teach about Life Insurance
Is Buying Life Insurance Biblical?

 

Because of the closeness of our families, I decided to write to  a friend urging him to get the insurance as soon as possible. He needed the protection not only for himself, but also for his wife and three children. As one who battled heart disease, I was convinced that having proper health coverage was one of the most important acts of love a man could show his family. I had personal experience with the high cost of medical care, and the difficulty of getting good coverage after an illness is diagnosed.

 

I say “thankfully” because about three years ago his wife was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer. Thankfully, the Lord has blessed them and she responded well to treatment. Today she continues to do very well. But, during those dark days three years ago, the money was available to pay for good quality medical care which no doubt contributed to her recovery and peace of mind.

 

If I were writing this primarily to a secular audience, I probably wouldn’t say some of what follows. However, because of the Christian worldview many of us hold, I want to address the issue of buying insurance and its relationship to trusting God to provide. 

 

I still remember a Christian radio program I heard a number of years ago. On this particular day the host was visiting with an evangelist who traveled the country preaching the Good News of Jesus. While I admired much of what he had to say, I was really disappointed by part of his presentation. At one point in the conversation he began to brag about the fact that he carried no health insurance and that he simply trusted God to provide. With that, he told a story about some health expenses that his family had incurred, and then, gleefully told about how other Christians had paid their bills.

 

Boy, that fried me! Didn’t this good man know about the Biblical mandate to care for one’s own family? Paul went as far as to say that providers who don’t provide for their families are worse than infidels! That’s pretty strong language. Also, what about his witness to the outside world? What does this say about a Christian’s sense of duty and responsibility?

Insurance honors the biblical principle of reimbursing with compensation those who have been wronged.  The biblical principle throughout

Exodus 21:12-36 shows that people who are harmed should be compensated. 

 

Auto insurance provides us a way to care for our neighbor in case we are at fault in an auto accident.  Health insurance ensures we have a way to pay medical bills we owe.  We might not be able to personally handle the financial obligation, but insurance will provide the needed resources.  In many instances insurance is required as a part of government submission (Romans 13:1).  Insurance can be a loving action towards a spouse or family.  Life insurance, for example, is a way for a husband to love his wife (Ephesians 5:25).  If one spouse is left behind, they and the children will have the necessary provisions.  Insurance helps to ensure you will have something to leave to your children (Proverbs 13:22).  Insurance provides us with a way to ensure our debts are paid.  Major illnesses are the number one cause of bankruptcy.  Insurance not only protects us, but also those who choose to serve us in our times of great need (Romans 4:4). 

 

Is Buying Life Insurance Biblical? bring you these Bible verses

Philemon 1:7-10
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

 

 

 

Why should a Christian Buy Life Insurance?

 

 

 

Ten Commandments for Children

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10. Thou shalt not covet.

Found in Deuteronomy 5:6-21 and in Exodus 20:1-17

We are commanded to teach children the Ten Commandments. In Deuteronomy Chapter 5, The Ten Commandments are listed, and then in the following chapter 6, the importance of teaching them to your child is emphasized: "And thou shalt TEACH them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them . . ." Deuteronomy 6:7