Father, help us to put our trust in you.
Unlike money, insurance seems to be much more of a modern day practise. Not having all your eggs in one basket isn't quite the same as paying a premium now in case something goes wrong in the future. Neither is saving something for a rainy day.
Of course, there are some insurance policies that we are required to have by law, such as car insurance if we drive or public liability if we run a business, but most are ways of trying to protect our comfortable way of life at the expense of a downpayment.
In many ways it's a bit like gambling, but unlike gambling it's betting that something bad is going to happen, rather than hoping to win something. In some ways that may define the nature of modern man, because not many people look on the bright side these days.
It's all down to marketing. Marketing is simply a way of telling people about all those trivial things that they don't need, but others may have, and that's how companies sell things.
Unlike trying to sell us a new all-singing, all-dancing new thingamajig (that we don't need) selling insurance must take a special type of person. Basing your sales techniques on things that can go wrong must really be a sole-destroying job, but there is on thing in their favour; people are usually greedy and won't let go of anything.
The same principles apply to how we view money (as per last week). Do we look at God to provide for our needs, or do we rely on our own bank balance (and insurance policies)? The same level of reliance, and who we rely in, is dependant on our faith.
Here's a few verses:
But Jesus answered again, "Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God."
Mark 10:24
The parable of the seeds
… What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful...
Matt 13:22
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;
that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
1 Tim 6:17-19