I’ve heard parents argue that life and health insurance is unbiblical. We should all trust God to take care of us. To invest in insurance is a lack of faith. I heard Matthew 6:33 quoted as the biblical foundation for this. It says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Just as God feeds the birds, He’ll take care of us. Just as God clothes the lilies of the field, he’ll cloth us as well. Jesus did not say “don’t plan.” He said “Don’t worry.” Actually, like the man who builds his house upon the sand, or the man who studies his assets to determine if he has enough, or the man who invests his talents wisely, those who plan appropriately have much less to worry about!

In the registration line at Dallas Seminary back in 1982, the line included a final stop at the “Minister’s Life Insurance” table. The Administration required each student to have both health and life insurance. The insurance salesman would also visit the tables of men and women sitting at the student center as the argued theological issues and drank coffee, ate lunch, or just reflected on classes. I remember the salesman visiting our table and asking us about our life insurance. He quoted 1 Timothy 5:8 while reminding us all of our responsibility. It says, “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. I was later to learn that this verse was the verse that was printed on all the stationary and promotional material for the Presbyterian Minister’s Fund Life Insurance Company. From what I read, it is the oldest life insurance company in the United States. The Seminary took seriously the responsibility of caring for one’s family and meeting their needs not only as we live with them, but also if we were to leave them behind. In every year at Seminary, of the 1700+ students, there was always someone who unexpectedly passed away. It was clear to us all that the loss of a material provider from a family could prove devastating for those left behind. We must also take seriously Paul’s exhortation to Timothy about the importance of caring for your family.

One commentator wisely said, “The fact is, you don’t know what the future holds, and so it is the wise steward who is prepared. Because in general, we do know that there will be times of sickness and death in our family. Since everyone becomes sick at some time, and everyone eventually dies. And because we don’t know exactly when, a conscientious Christian will prepare for those things that he knows will come. The Old Testament saints saved money, prepared for their deaths and oversaw the future dividing of the inheritance among their children. And they were wise stewards in doing so. They were not considered those who were lacking faith or trust in God. Preparing to leave your children the means to carry on after you are gone has nothing to do with a lack of trust in the Lord. It is simply good planning. Likewise, managing your funds for them ahead of time is the product of being a good and wise steward, and is not a lack of trust.”