I am torn when it comes to the health care debate. This about a prominent and wealthy Canadian politician not utilizing Canada’s health care system and instead coming to the US for heart surgery, tears me more.
Now, I have friends that say that they are confused just so they don’t have to take a side. You know who you are. 🙂
This isn’t that. I really feel torn.
As a follower of Jesus and someone that believes in the guidance and illumination provided by the scriptures, I go to them to help me understand both the events that are occurring in our world today, and how I can increasingly reflect the heart and intent of Christ.
There is a sentence in the letter that James wrote to a large number of Christians that had been spread out, primarily through the persecution they had been receiving. They had received this persecution because they were followers of Jesus and they would have had a large number among them that would have needed help. People would have needed housing, food, and shelter. The basics. James wrote his letter in a very clear, very challenging manner to a group that need both clarity and challenge.
Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. James 1.27
“We must care for orphans and widows in their troubles…” That isn’t the only way that we demonstrate our trust in the way of Christ, but it is an important one. God seems to care a great deal for those who are disadvantaged in our world.
When I line those words up against the reality that we have a lot of people that don’t seem to have adequate health care, I can
start to see the value of expanding the health care system to accommodate as many of those people as we can. Even if it is at a personal cost to me, I am willing to look at that.
There are also numerous, equally valid, scriptures in the book of Proverbs that would state that it is foolish to walk into a dangerous situation as if it were not so. Seeing that Danny Williams, who would have the ability to truly assess his options, would opt to leave for care is disturbing. Knowing that he chose to do so in spite of the outcry it would cause makes it even more so.
What am I missing in this?
Stephen said...
1It seems to me that caring for widows and orphans is indeed a Christian calling. How to provide for them, via Christian charities or a governmental entity, is not specified. I am sometimes wonder if our duty to help those in need is supposed to be a way for God to show himself off to world through the church. I worry the church is out sourcing too much of its duty and purpose to government.
02/4/10 10:10 PM | Comment Link
said...
2Jim, I really think you should find some more controversial topics to cover on this blog. You’ve really been playing it safe here. 🙂
I’m also torn on this topic, Jim. We went through a time of not having enough money to handle health care costs for our family even though we both have college degrees and I was teaching full time (being a teacher was pretty much the main reason we couldn’t afford it!) so I have a little personal experience on “the other side of things.” Most of the people who are making the decisions and the people that are most upset about it have never had to make the decision whether or not to visit the doctor or get the medicine because of money or insurance coverage. Not everyone that struggles financially and has inadequate health care is a lazy bum taking advantage of welfare and government services. On a teacher’s salary in NC, our family qualified for medicaid services for our kids! I know the government is not the answer to all of our woes, but I think that many people screaming for no health care reform are a bit out of touch with reality in some ways.
I don’t have a solid opinion, but I fall somewhere in the middle wanting a balance of government intervention combined with accountability combined with private charitable help combined with good old-fashioned get out there and work to provide for your family. I guess that means I would be a lousy politician since I want a little slice of everything.
But seriously, Jim, let’s hit some serious topics soon…like puppies vs. kittens. Hope you’re enjoying the snow!
02/5/10 7:06 AM | Comment Link
said...
3Stephen. Good to hear from you friend! By the way, I will be up at Evergreen the first weekend in March, would be great to see you both.
I think your point is well made. And I do agree that, especially in a culture as ours, it can be easy to outsource the responsibility of caring for the hurting around us to the governement and other niched agencies. It seems interesting that many a number of Roman leaders in the days of the early church noted that the Hebrews had almost no need for Roman interference to help them deal with their own poor. The book of Acts recounts that people sold what they could sell and brought the money to the church leaders who then distributed it out to the poor. Paul went around and collected money for churches that were going through especially difficult times.
It also seems important to note that when he was taking the money to the churches, he was defining the term “church” correctly. By church, Paul meant the people that were a part of it. That money went to help those that the church had identified as in need.
Excellent thought Stephen, and it should ring out as a challenge to anyone that is a follower of Jesus.
Peace
02/5/10 9:27 AM | Comment Link