Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/74

Contributor - K. Terpstra

Title - Liability and Responsibility

Topic - Financial

Some time ago I listened to an interesting conversation about Life Insurance. Two of those present, although they had taken out auto and fire insurance, did not own any Life Insurance.

Number one stated that he w of as taking the risk himself instead filling the coffers of rich life insurance companies. It probably did not dawn on him that in doing so he let his wife and children take the risk.

Number two had a different reason for not taking out Life Insurance. In his opinion, buying Life Insurance was proof of a lack of faith. He tried to Drove his point of view on biblical grounds by quoting Job 12 : 6: "And they that provoke God are secure." Instead of believing in the Lord's providence we would be trusting in our own securities, including Life Insurance policies.

But is it correct that those who believe in the Lord's providence shake off all responsibility? Should we passively accept everything that's happening in our lives without doing anything about it?

If that is the answer we would not be allowed to take any precaution in life. In case of sickness no doctor should be called. When leaving the house, no doors should be locked. Forget about seat-belts when driving the car. Don't erect a fence around the swimming pool. Indeed, auto, fire and life insurance would be out.

But this is not the answer at all. As a matter of fact the Lord, who wants us to trust in Him, expects us to be responsible people. The Israelites used to have patios on their flat roofs and in Deut. 22: 8 He commands His people, "When thou buildest a new house, thou shalt make a railing for thy roof." God wants us to prevent accidents. - . Not only are we supposed to prevent them but He also shows responsible people their Liability.

In Exodus 21 :33 we read "If a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall there in; good and give money unto the owner of them." We would call that Third party Liability. Exodus 22 : 6 says: "If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn or the standing corn, or the field be consumed therewith; he that kindled the, fire shall -surely make restitution."

Today in 1974 it's no different. God's law and command to act responsibly and to realize our liability is still in force.

We are not even stressing the point that by government law we are to carry Liability insurance, nor is it necessary to go into detail why we should carry fire insurance to protect the mortgagee who is lending us the money to own buy or build a home.

We are not discussing the law of the land but the law of God. If we cause an accident with our car, resulting in damage to the other party's possession we are to compensate In case there is a loss of life, again we have to take the responsibility. Because such compensation is often beyond our means we carry Liability insurance.

The Lord doesn't talk about Third Party Liability. He wants us to treat the other party exactly the way we want to be treated. In other words we better listen to His command: "Love your neighbour as yourself."

As soon as we have a clear picture of our obligation towards our neighbour, we cannot very well exclude our wife and children, can we? As husbands we had better look the problem square in the face. As fathers we cannot escape our responsibility.

Canadian law forces us to take out liability insurance. Mortgage companies require fire insurance. There is no such law to make husbands and fathers take out a Life Insurance policy. It shouldn't be necessary, either. If we are to love our neighbour as ourselves who is closer than wife and children?

If we are wealthy we may be able to provide the necessary funds the owner of the pit shall make it without paying any premiums on a life insurance policy. But how many are in such a favourable, financial position?

Husbands and fathers are not only allowed to take out Life Insurance for the protection of their families, it simply is their duty to make provision in case something should happen to them. Of course there are always isolated cases where a sick or disabled person just cannot make such provisions, He should not worry. The Lord will take care of his family just as well.

How much insurance is needed? What kind of insurance should be bought? Much depends on the circumstances and they differ from the one family to the other. One has to take into consideration a person's present income, the number of children, the age of the children, the possibility of a mother being able to go back to teaching, nursing, etc.

Select a trustworthy agent, capable of discussing the needs and one who knows his business.

For many people Life Insurance is the railing around their Home-Life preventing it from falling financially apart upon the death of a husband and father.

Is that taking matters in own hand? Do we want to become independent? No, it is not. It is taking our God-given responsibility very seriously and in doing so we show a loving concern for those close to us.

It is true that we have a tendency of trusting too much in worldly possessions whether they be real estate, a flourishing business, stock and bonds or a fat bank account or possibly a $100,000 insurance policy.

But why single out Life Insurance? If financial security becomes an idol we are on the wrong track and we then act like the fool in Luke 12 who told himself he had made it. He did not have to live out of the hand of God anymore. He didn't need anyone. That same night he died.

Taking out large Insurance policies for the wrong reasons is just as wrong as NOT taking out insurance.

Let us follow the advice given in Romans 14 :5 ...

"Let every man be fully convinced in his own mind."

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.