For some reason, my mother yesterday brought up the topic of when I was in
eighth grade, and how we got hit in the rear on my way to school. I can
remember it, we were in my Dad’s 1963 VW, blue, going down Cooper Road, when
suddenly we were hit from behind. It damaged the bumper and left rear fender,
both of us were delayed in getting to school, my Dad taught there, and it was
exciting talk all day. And like a good citizen, my Dad turned the accident into
his insurance company, and to the person who hit us. And from there it
unraveled....
The person who hit us, claimed I was driving, lying through their teeth,
and the insurance company backed them up. With no attorneys to advise, and no
witnesses other than those involved in the accident, my father’s clam was
denied. He even write to their insurance company and was denied, they stood by
their insured and the claim was denied. Which left my Dad paying for the
repairs himself, probably under $100, but a lot in 1967 car dollars, and he
would trade his beloved VW in for a 1969 BMW 1600 two years later. But for some
reason this story has always stuck with our family, of how a lie perpetuated
still didn’t change the truth, nor the outcome. Back in the days when you
trusted your agent, I too was to find out how they were representatives of the
company they represented, when I got hit in Florida, and they tried to just let
the case go away. I may be wrong, but insurance is only as good as when it is
needed, and in this case and others, despite Ed Reimers and his claim, “you
aren’t always in good hands,” no matter which insurance you have. Seems right
and wrong are debatable when money is about to change hands....
With the failure of the world’s largest tax increase behind us, aka the
Affordable Care Act, which raised deductibles to a new high, we could afford the
premiums, maybe, but be paying on our deductibles forever. You could afford to
get sick, you just couldn’t afford the deductibles. Add in the fact that if you
didn’t have insurance you were taxed, I am personally glad it is gone. But
before the government intervened, before insurance companies denied claims, the
truth was still out there. And no amount of arguing would change it. When God
set up his family, he called us the church, and we are his representatives. Not
a choice I might make, but God does, and before mega churches, deviant
denominations, and private insurance, God would provide through his church.
Which falls short today. When hospitalized, the church of 7000 I attended, a
rich yuppie church, sent me flowers. Asking if I needed anything, and when we
told them we were out of funds, we needed money, found out that saying nothing
was saying no. Our request fell on deaf ears, but our eyes were opened. All
the teachings of giving and loving, laced with scripture meant nothing to us in
our time of need, but what the spirit showed us did. The blessings were huge,
and many were blessed by blessing us through God, too bad our own church denied
us. I guess personal needs come first, until they are someone else’s....
But back in the original church, a prophesy was given about a famine to
come. Being moved by the spirit, and not being bound by economics, the two men
running a fellowship in Jerusalem sent food and needed supplies ahead of time to
Judea. Prophecy today is interpreted as predicting the future, its original
meaning was to show the light of God in action, to draw attention to Jesus,
which it still does. Not drawing attention to a church or a pastor or his
books. That is false Christianity. But true Christianity reflects Jesus, where
no man or action gets between god getting the glory, while we get his blessings.
This church sent the blessings ahead of time, inspired by the spirit rather than
a bank account. Remember it is not money that is the root of all evil, but the
love of it. Lest you boast incorrectly. But this is recorded in Acts so we can
see the true heart of God in action, not inaction. How the body shares with
each other, love in action. There is no hierarchy, no church board to act or
react, or over react, but men being moved by the spirit of God and doing what
scripture demands, and God provides, loving and taking care of one another.
Meeting the needs of others, how excited the church in Jerusalem must have been
to give, and the Judeans to receive ahead of time. Love in action, a verse I
never heard taught in any church. If we are the church, we are only in good
hands when in God’s hands, in his spirit. His witness is made real through us,
and manifested in how we love one another. If only the songs we sang reflected
our walk in action, how different things might be. Sadly too many tithe to the
church, thinking they are tithing to God, but he knows the difference. Running
a ministry I know, we never solicit money, but will put out needs, and God meets
them every time, usually before we ask. Isaiah 65:24 in action. Truly I know
the difference of being in good hands, so did the first church. Does yours? Do
you?
So here we have a wonderful picture of how God designed the church to
function, of the words of Jesus in action, and the power of his spirit. All the
essential characteristics are there, gifts of the spirit, the life of Jesus, the
proclamation of the word, the teaching of scripture, and the sharing of the
body. This is how the body of Christ, aka the church of today is to manifest
itself in the world. What a testimony to those who were hungry, both Jew and
Gentile, how the love of God inspired one church to help another far away. And
how God, Jehovah Jireh provides. The body didn’t wait for the famine to occur,
or form a task force, hold special offerings or sell t-shirts, the people gave
as God showed them. What does your giving show others about your God? Are you
in his hands?
We buy insurance for what may happen, just like we trust Jesus for what may
happen. But when it does, who is holding your policy? How big is the
deductible, and can your company cover the loss? Of all insurance companies in
the world, only John Hancock can cover all of its insured losses if they
occurred at once. Seems the rest of us are underinsured at best. But God knew
about a famine to come, he knows your future too. Are you trusting him or man?
Your church or God? Teaching or application? All the rules are subject to
change except when Jesus is involved. You only find out how good your coverage
is when you need it. Don’t wait to know God before you do. His care is
affordable, it is loving and compassionate. Just knowing Jesus makes me sleep
better at night, knowing he can take care of me. If the hands you trust aren’t
nail pierced, you need to check out your policy, not just your life insurance.
In the darkness of despair, God’s light shines brightest. Each one giving as
they were able. With no deductible for tax purposes. Only in Jesus will all
our needs be met. No fault may be an insurance term, you won’t find it in
scripture. Don’t let it become part of yours. Just another example of the
church in action, brought to you by Jesus Christ himself. Are you in his
hands?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com