Life Insurance v Life Assurance

I almost paid the renewal notice without a second thought. But then I noticed that the renewal premium seemed higher than in previous years. A little research later, and yes indeed, it was higher – by about three hundred percent.

My term life insurance policy had reached its term.

We had a term policy for me because that was the advice of our financial planner at the time. It made sense. We had young children at home and in the event of my early death, the policy would help pay for childcare, housekeeping, and help replace my income. It would be my way of helping continue to take care of my family after I was gone.

But now, with the term expired and premiums tripling, my husband and I concluded that we did not need that policy any more. We could cancel it.

While that decision made sense – our children are grown and we don’t have any debt to speak of that makes my income necessary to replace – it was still disconcerting to cancel that policy.

A piece of me cried out at the idea that my life had no value. My contributions to our family, our life, the world in general did not warrant any kind of payout for the future. I felt like I was being canceled.

I lamented this with my husband and he cocked his head, giving me that look that says I’m being overly dramatic and silly. “Your value is not in a life insurance policy,” he gently chided.

I know this. I really do. But deep in the recesses of my heart are the doubts that wonder … if I don’t have thousands of dollars to leave you, will I matter after I am gone?

Back in the days of the early church, there was a crippled beggar who sat outside one of the temple gates – the one called Beautiful. His only source of money in order to survive came from those willing to toss a few pieces of silver or gold into his hat as they passed him by. People in his life for but a short moment and then they were gone.

Without even looking up he asked Peter and John for money as they walked by. Do you have anything you can leave me when you are gone?

Peter looked at the man and understood that this man needed something more than money. Money might last a day or two, but he had something to give this man that was infinitely more valuable than money.

“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

The man immediately stood up and began walking and jumping and praising God. Peter was eventually gone from this man’s life. But the man’s life was never the same. He encountered the healing and saving power of Jesus. The fullness of his life was restored to him. (Acts 3:1-22)

Maybe Peter’s pockets where in fact empty. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that Peter knew what I need to know. What you need to know when those doubts creep in.

What I have I give you.

Peter knew Jesus and had the saving grace of his Savior. Peter had forgiveness of his sins. Peter had a restored relationship with God. Peter had the power of the Holy Spirit within him. Peter had a new life.

This is what he gave to the man.

Standing there with the canceled life insurance policy in my hand and my husband’s words ringing in my ears, I recognized that, while I might not be leaving behind silver and gold, I could give what I had. And what I have is far more valuable and my life will matter the most if I give what I have.

Life insurance only becomes valuable at the time of someone’s death. Life assurance is valuable today.

We are never ‘canceled’ when we can give to others the fruit of a life transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, the example of peace grounded in faith, and encouraging words that promote healing and forgiveness. We impact someone else’s today when we share a reason to come and experience new life in Jesus for themselves.

If, in the giving of what we have, our spouses and children, our parents and friends, and the perfect strangers we meet on the street experience the healing and saving grace and power of Jesus, so that they too jump and dance and praise God, then our lives will have mattered far more than if we had left behind silver and gold.

Will you give what you have?

Christmas love,

Denise