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Looking at Healthcare

By Tom Pierson posted 04-06-2021 21:36

  

Christians are exposed to so many controversial and differing views in the media these days that it can make them wonder whether their views on healthcare are truly rooted in the Bible. When evaluating health care through a biblical lens, it becomes obvious that Christians are called to care for each other, carry one another’s burdens and pray for each other’s health and welfare. 

Faith-based healthcare

There is no such thing as “Christian health insurance” but health share program do not offer health insurance. Instead, they are faith-based organizations that facilitate cost-sharing of medical expenses by members. What makes such programs work, according to U.S.HealthShare.com, is the connection of like-minded people that share a similar faith. 

Becoming a member is simple, as long as members meet certain requirements based on their faith. Members offer one another not only the opportunity to receive affordable health care but support one another spiritually too. 

Interconnectedness of health and wealth

It is well documented that there is a correlation between health and wealth. Those with less wealth tend to have worse health. People should never have to choose between buying food or medicine and should have access to affordable health care. Research keeps showing that as people gain access to health services, their health outcomes improve. 

The Bible teaches that we are created in God’s image and everyone is worthy of equal value. Someone born in poverty is worth the same as anyone else. In the present system, health insurance companies need to make a profit and this effectively means that the rich have better health because they are more able to afford insurance. Healthcare sharing programs, on the other hand, are non-profit organizations that facilitate cost-sharing among members. 

Bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)

Healthcare can be very expensive. People may even have to go bankrupt due to medical expenses. While part of the solution is to determine why costs are so high and work on fixing this, another part is to prevent people from going into a never-ending debt spiral due to rising medical expenses. 

In a system that protects everyone, all need to be willing to bear some of the burden. It is a Christ-like choice to bear the burdens of others. Christians should care about the health of others because Christ cared about the sick and healed many people during His ministry. 

In Matthew 22: 36-40, when Jesus was asked about God’s greatest commandment, the second part is about “loving thy neighbor as thyself.” Loving our neighbors means caring about every aspect of their lives, including their finances and their healthcare. 

When Christians pay attention to the health of their neighbors, they are showing others the love of God. Christians show love through actions. In 1 John 4:18, Christ teaches that we are to “love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.” 

The role of government

When it comes to modern health debates and the role of government, Christians may have conflicting views. There are a number of Christians that support creating a single, national government healthcare program and believe that healthcare is a human right. 

Other Christians condemn this approach and believe it is not the responsibility of the government to regulate health coverage. They argue that forced financial support for the underprivileged doesn’t meet the Bible’s call to care “for the least of these” and forcing people to donate against their will is not true charity. 

They believe Christians need to work to increase personal freedom and not government interference as a society based on freedom offers Christians a better opportunity to exercise their faith. 

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