Is government health care unbiblical?
Filed Under (Practical Christianity, Theology) by Sam Gerdt on 19-10-2009
Tagged Under : benevolence, church, government, head of household, health care
And by unbiblical I mean sinful. I have no intention of skirting around trigger words like that.
The basic question is this: Is it sinful for a God-ordained organization or position to overstep its God-ordained parameters? I would love to hear someone who has a compelling argument come out and say ‘no’, but after examining Scripture I am forced to conclude that the answer is ‘yes’. (I Samuel 13:8-14, 2 Samuel 6:2-7) God gives us guidelines for a reason. Sometimes it is for our good, sometimes for His glory, sometimes both, and sometimes we are forced to take Him at His word because we are clueless to discern His reasons.
In the case of health care, we have these Biblical guidelines:
- The head of household (the husband) is to take care of the needs of his family. (Eph. 5: 28-29, 6:4)
- The church is to take care of the needs of the orphan and the widow. I would also include single women who are not under a head of household in this category. (James 1:27, I Tim. 5:16)
- The church is to reach out to households with legitimate needs (job loss, disability, etc.) (Acts 4:34-35)
- The government is given authority to punish sin and protect its people. (Romans 13:1-7)
The conclusions that I draw from this guideline is that it is not the government’s responsibility to take care of the health of its people – it is clearly the responsibility of the heads of household and the church. That means that it is the responsibility of the husband/church to pay the insurance bills and other medical related bills. No one else has been given that responsibility and no one is left out when these commands are followed.
The common response to this is “Well, the church isn’t doing its job so the government and various charities have to step up”. The problem with this response is that it assumes that it is OK for people to do wrong in order to have the chance to do right – which (again, in my opinion) is clearly unbiblical.
And now for the objections:
Aren’t Christians supposed to love their neighbor? Shouldn’t we want EVERYONE insured and taken care of?
Yes. That is 100% correct and it is my desire that this would be true someday.
So what about the uninsured woman with no money and no family and no job?
Many churches have policies that no member will ever draw unemployment, lack health care, or receive any government aid. These churches are filled with people that understand the Biblical model for caring for people and these people give of their income to make sure the church is in a position to do these acts of mercy. In addition, these churches often reach out to needy people in the community to offer the same care regardless of membership status.
But what’s the difference between paying taxes so the government can reach out and giving tithes and offerings so the church can reach out?
For one, God only approved one model. Secondly, the entity that the people look to for care is the entity that holds the power. Our government certainly understands this. Could you imagine if the collective church was taking care of every jobless, homeless, fatherless or otherwise helpless person in this country? The implications of that happening are huge. Not only would there be a great shift of influence from the White House to the pulpit, but there would also be an understanding that it is God who provides for the sick and poor.
Why is it important that the church have this power? Isn’t the church supposed to submit to the God-given authority of the government?
Yes and no. The church is commanded to submit to the governing authority in areas that do not breach Scriptural mandate. God clearly set these responsibilities the way that he did for the purpose of properly directing the honor and respect of the people. It is God who takes care of His children – not the White House. When the government confuses its position it misdirects glory and honor that is due to our Lord.
It is very clear that our government is currently committing the same sin that Saul was guilty of by sacrificing without the prophet Samuel. The White House is stepping outside its own parameters. Consequently they are redirecting honor due to the Lord in the direction of Washington.
To the sick and needy: Do not depend on your government to save you. Only God has the power to regenerate your soul and he has chosen to use the church to fulfill your earthy needs. If you do not attend church or if the church you currently attend is not willing to meet your needs, find a church that will help you. Do not expect handouts. If you are capable of working, expect to be put to work. This is the plan that God has for His people and we would do well to stick to it.
To the church-goer: Does your church care for the sick and needy in the ways perscribed by God? If not, it is time to talk to your church leaders about starting and maintaining a benevolent care fund. If they are unwilling to fulfill their God-given duty it is time to stand up and walk out the door. If you need the name of a good Bible-obeying church and you live in the Greenville area I’ll be glad to point you in the right direction.
Would you expand this to include Federal Aid for College? It seems to me to be the same type of scenario, but I’ve never come across an acredited Christian Univiersity in my life that didn’t provide federal aid for their students. I’ve never met a Christian student who thought twice about accepting it. What do you think?
The more you expand this idea, the more toes you step on. It would be easier for me to make a list of the things the Bible assigns to the civil government of any nation.
1. Protect the borders and the people within those borders.
2. Enforce God’s law (and only God’s law).
Both of these mandates can be found in many parts of the Old and New Testaments. Romans 13 is probably the most cited passage.
This brings up a new question though. Can the government make additional laws without overstepping its Biblical bounds?
I think yes. A good example of this is traffic laws. Many are put in place in order to efficiently manage millions of motorists. They are not specifically prescribed in Scripture, yet they carry the spirit of the Scriptures – “Let everything be done decently and in order.”
Unfortunately the problem with these types of laws is that they are improperly enforced. Speed traps are set and ticket quotas are expected in order to steal money from the people. So it goes both ways.
In answer to your question: I do not think it is proper for students to accept federal aid for school. It is no different than any other kind of welfare in my opinion. I would encourage students who are eager to attend school but don’t have the money to look for private scholarships or low-interest student loans.
The bottom line is that we have a sovereign God who expects things to function according to His Word. He may be more willing to provide if students were more willing to trust in Him and take Him at His word.
Incidentally, I made it through school fairly easily with summer jobs and generous parents, but my wife’s situation wasn’t as easy. Her family trusted God and turned down federal money and she earned a 4-year degree in 3 1/2 years.
I think that everyone would agree that health care should be easier to obtain. The real issue is government involvement. When in the history of our country has government involvement actually made a bad situation better?
This is not a political issue.
I really hope this health care bill does not pass. More government involvement is not the answer. No government in the history of mankind has been able successfully implement something like this. This has disaster written all over it.
I understand the marketing significance of commenting on random blogs. The last two comments have been from people (or robots) who – apart from their job – would not have taken the time to even search for my blog. But they bring up an interesting point. . .
Most Christians try to make the health care thing about government when it’s not. If you really want the government out of health care the do something about it yourself. You are the church – it’s your job.
The previous two posts are ignorant (I can say this because it won’t offend those who posted) because they don’t offer a solution. If you really want to convince me that you actually care about the health of others, go take care of a widow or pay someone’s doctor bill.
I know this is old, but just had some questions.
Is it the church’s job to take care of non-Christians?
And what is someone to do if they can’t get low-interest student loans? Even student loans can be quite burdensome.
I think I need to clarify. I look at it this way. Whether you want to or not you are contributing to those federal loans. The government, whether it is their right or not, takes it and gives it to other people. So, whether it is their job or not to give it to you some of it is yours.
Question 1: Is it the church’s job to take care of non-christians?
I think this is a much clearer answer than #2 will be. . . And that’s saying something because I would say yes and no. It is the church’s and the individual’s job to show benevolence to all people (love thy neighbor): so the answer is yes.
However, beyond general benevolence the church does not have any responsibility to those outside the church. It is the church’s goal to first bring the needy under the covenant and then assume the role of meeting those needs.
It sounds harsh, but by forfeiting your place under the covenant (by forfeiting one’s identification as christian) you essentially forfeit any blessing or promise that comes from God (good health, fertile land, protection from enemies, and of course salvation).
Question #2: And what is someone to do if they can’t get low-interest student loans?
The following answer comes from a developing conviction that followers of Christ should distance themselves from unclean institutions (and any unclean gifts they may bear)
The US gov’t. takes our hard-earned money and uses it to their liking (extravagant and unholy wars, godless education for our children, enabling abortion, etc.). We can let them steal from us or we can go to jail. I personally respond to this problem with the following question: How can I best serve God AND protect my family? This means I pay taxes to godless Caesar and I pray for the salvation and repentance of the people who spend it.
Now your question: Doesn’t this mean they owe me something in return? Yes. But by taking gov’t. handouts you are submitting to their system. So in short, you either support the system or you don’t. I err on the side of “don’t”.
As a side note: someone who cannot get a student loan from a financial institution may consider either a longer college career (with years off to help pay bills) or appealing to the church for help. Both are respectable and appropriate options. I know our church offers scholarships to ministry students and would consider a Godly appeal for financial help in other situations.
But is it a handout when it actually was yours to begin with and it would have been going to your college bill if they had never taken it?
It may not seem like much, but one principled stand against a corrupt system can make a difference. My sense of entitlement should end at the same place that the covenantal promises of Scripture end.
*end personal conviction*
Like I said, you pay taxes – you are completely right to think you deserve some of that back. There are others (I am becoming more like them every day) that would argue that the Christian should depend on God, not government.
I am not doubting your dependence on God, I am suggesting that the most God-honoring solution is to voluntarily extract yourself from the “collective American mindset” and to consider an alternative to this oppressive regime.
Makes sense. And I am totally open-minded to that belief. :p lol