In seeking to understand the teachings of the Scriptures and the writings of Ellen White on life insurance, many Adventists have focused on her warnings against insurance to the neglect of her equally pointed testimony toward making provision for times of necessity. The effect has been to deprive members of benefits of the kind that prudent planning could provide. SDALI 5.4
Under today’s conditions, the ultimate questions are: Do life insurance policies offer a method for meeting emergency needs that is compatible with Christian principles? Could they help meet the crisis raised by the disability or death of the wage earner without weakening one’s faith or commitment to trust in God providence? Could they help meet the divinely given responsibility of protecting the innocent survivors of tragedy in a hazardous world? Could they help fill the void created by the diminished role of family ties in the modern world as increased individualism and governmental programs displace the ancient bonds? SDALI 5.5
A study committee of the General Conference and the Ellen G. White Estate conducted a thorough study of life insurance, summarized in a 50-page report issued in 1957. Its propositions, based upon careful investigation, provide a sound interpretation of the principles concerned and should be taken into account in arriving at a decision. Those principles include the following: SDALI 6.1
1. The Spirit of Prophecy counsels unhesitatingly and definitely teach that the Christian should make provision for a “rainy day.” We should recognize that a time will come when there will be reduced or terminated income; and looking ahead, we should, if possible, have a reasonable amount of property or money in reserve to meet such needs so that “the charities of others need not be depended upon.”
2. It is proper to have the security of a modest home of our own and conservative financial investments—money in the bank, invested in the Lord’s work, or in other sound investment.
3. It is proper to avail ourselves of the protection offered by fire insurance and insurance on the automobile.
4. In whatever provision he makes for the future, the Christian is to be ever mindful of the special and tender watchcare of God over His children and not be forgetful of the needs of the cause of God.
5. The family and the church have a responsibility to its members in time of need or bereavement. The Christian should share in his brother’s burdens so that none will suffer.
6. The extent of the provision that should be made for the day of need and how it should be made are to be left with the individual to settle carefully and prayerfully, with heart fully surrendered to God, and with the determination that in fulfilling these responsibilities, every move will be made in harmony with God’s will.
7. The Spirit of Prophecy counsels on life insurance made in the 1860’s were given at a time when life insurance was uncontrolled and often handled by “fly-by-night” concerns, as a gambling proposition in a “get-rich-quick” scheme.
8. Although the Spirit of Prophecy counsels in the years between 1867 and 1909 continued to be consistent in discouraging life insurance, it should be recognized that in the United States such insurance did not come under the control of state banking laws until 1906 and onward. Even as late as 1910 some companies were still involved in questionable and often dishonest practices. However, there were no statements on life insurance made by Ellen White after 1909.
9. Various savings and insurance plans which are today termed “life insurance,” protected by carefully enacted state laws, and subject to close inspection of state authorities, are generally considered to be a safe investment and sounder than many other investments.
10. In most so-called life insurance plans as they are written today, the principle of putting something aside for the day of need and of sharing one anther’s burdens is actually carried out. The circle reaches out beyond the family or the church to include quite a large number of persons, thus equalizing the burden and minimizing the expense.
11. Health care insurance is simply another plan for equalizing what maybe an unusual and heavy expense. In this case, also, a large number of persons share the burdens of one another.
12. Burial insurance provides a means whereby the expense now connected with death is provided for in a certain and sure manner through advance payments over a period of years.
13. Burial societies, in which a large number of persons participate either by specified dues or by assessments at the time of the death of a member, are a means of systematically spreading the expense in such a way that we bear one another’s burdens. Through a well-organized plan we make proper provision for an expense which must be met.
14. Social Security is recognized by the church as a plan whereby employer and wage earner unite in systematically placing in reserve that which will be available in time of need, either at retirement or at death.
15. These various plans virtually accomplish for the lay member wage-earner what the denominational retirement plan—called into being through the Spirit of Prophecy has for many years provided for ministers and other employees of the denomination. This is a plan by which a regular percentage of the payroll of the various employing organizations is accumulated in one central fund which is to be disbursed in monthly payments to retired or incapacitated laborers or their widows, and in case of need, to meet unusual medical and burial expense.
16. The Seventh-day Adventist Church, although it does not officially encourage or discourage its members in the matter of insurance of different types, has by actions of the General Conference Committee in Annual Council, formally placed its approval on Social Security and Survivor’s Benefit plans.
17. In the choice of the method employed in providing “a capital of means to use in an emergency” (The Adventist Home, 396), whatever that method shall be, care should be taken to seek and follow the counsel of those of experience who can be depended upon to give safe guidance.
18. Whatever provision the wage earner makes in preparation for the day of financial adversity or lessened income, he must guard carefully against a course of action which will lead to a love of money, or the creation with his own hands of something in which he places his trust, thus impairing that close connection with his Creator and Redeemer.
19. The Lord, through the Spirit of Prophecy counsels, has given an abundance of instruction and guidance relating to our responsibility for financial stewardship, making clear our obligations to God, our family, our fellow church members, and those about us. These counsels should be carefully studied, re-studied, and adhered to, so that we may lay up treasure in heaven, lest Satan lure us into soul-destroying entanglements.