Should I Have Accepted the Money?

[Josh]

Sorry for the long story. My point is that we are required by law to purchase an insurance policy on a car, and part of that involves some language that sounds like you are agreeing to sue another party - to defend the rights of the insurance company.

You are only required to purchase liability insurance not comprehensive or collision.

I don’t think there is any obligation to sue anyone if you just have liability insurance in the event that you hit another driver or run someone over and it is your fault. You aren’t technically insuring your CAR at all, but rather insuring the public against your own negligence when using your car. If you only have liability insurance then the insurance company doesn’t care what happens to your car. It’s not their problem.

This has changed in “no fault” states where bodily injury is always paid by your own insurance company, not the other guy’s.

[Josh]

As a conservative Mennonite, he refused to sue the department store where the accident happened. It took about a year for him to recover before he could fully work again. My grandmother had to work in order to support him and their seven kids.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, it's admirable that he stuck to his values and principles. On the other hand, the family suffered.

It really bothers me when churches do not help those who are struggling financially in their churches, if the reason for the struggle has to do with something other than not getting advice from the church or not heeding the advice of the church. Even in the latter, there is room for mercy.

I think that "kingdom economics" only works in a collective church setting that believes in and practices mutual aid. (I believe that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit designed the church as the ideal earthly society and that it is one of the most beautiful societies when it is done well. Outside of that, people have to do what they have to do to get by and this sometimes puts people in some very difficult situations and quandries.

I would go a step further and argue that mutual aid only works when believers share all things in common, instead of “one is hungry and another is drunk”. No believer should be richer or poorer than another believer, for it is easier for a camel to thread the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven! Pursuing wealth is a snare and many will be ensnared thereby.

In my church, the mutual aid has become so expensive that our “poorer” members rely on Medicaid now. I argue that if one member is on Medicaid, all of us should be on Medicaid.

[temporal1]

I would go a step further and argue that mutual aid only works when believers share all things in common, instead of “one is hungry and another is drunk”. No believer should be richer or poorer than another believer, for it is easier for a camel to thread the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven! Pursuing wealth is a snare and many will be ensnared thereby.

In my church, the mutual aid has become so expensive that our “poorer” members rely on Medicaid now. I argue that if one member is on Medicaid, all of us should be on Medicaid.

This follows human socialist reasoning, but i’m not sure this is of the spirit of scriptures, even with scriptural references.
This could be an important topic (maybe elsewhere) - because of jm’s May 3-7 experiment, maybe save it for after?

Not to say i disagree with common purse structure for individual groups, i prefer the freedom to practice as beliefs are.
The common purse is a choice in a way of life. God’s design provides different gifts+blessings within, human reasoning can’t stop that.

steve is merrily choosing his 20# weighted vest, i’m challenged with 8#, and will feel blessed if i don’t hurt myself with it!
should we each change to 14#?? Please, no!

we are of God’s design. human reasoning doesn’t come close.

My life has mostly been on the humble side, i never thought others shouldn’t have more, in fact, i’ve always been happy in diversity on earth, each adds their own. i think diversity is of God’s design, and a gift. Even “rich man/poor man,” as each has the responsibility and privilege to choose - where ever they sit.

i believe the camel analogy is a somber warning to all about choosing carefully. Not a cue to remove choice.

i don’t see scriptures ever suggesting there should be no rich, no poor on earth.
but for the rich and poor to choose Jesus for eternal life.

it’s harder for the rich. i’ve always been glad i don’t have that burden. i’m thankful others do. i pray for them.
not all succomb to evil. think Boaz, Job .. wise and faithful.

i digress.

[Ernie]

In my church, the mutual aid has become so expensive that our “poorer” members rely on Medicaid now. I argue that if one member is on Medicaid, all of us should be on Medicaid.

I think the problem is with how mutual aid is structured and administrated in settings like this. If everybody has to pay the same dues no matter how much they make or have made in life, then it feels quite unequal IMO. Mutual aid done well does not punish the poor nor reward the rich.

[RZehr]

In my church, the mutual aid has become so expensive that our “poorer” members rely on Medicaid now. I argue that if one member is on Medicaid, all of us should be on Medicaid.

How much does it cost for a couple per month?

[Ken]

Sorry for the long story. My point is that we are required by law to purchase an insurance policy on a car, and part of that involves some language that sounds like you are agreeing to sue another party - to defend the rights of the insurance company.

You are only required to purchase liability insurance not comprehensive or collision.

I don’t think there is any obligation to sue anyone if you just have liability insurance in the event that you hit another driver or run someone over and it is your fault. You aren’t technically insuring your CAR at all, but rather insuring the public against your own negligence when using your car. If you only have liability insurance then the insurance company doesn’t care what happens to your car. It’s not their problem.

This has changed in “no fault” states where bodily injury is always paid by your own insurance company, not the other guy’s.

But the point is the same. Basic mandatory liability insurance doesn't require that you sue anyone. That only comes with always-optional collision insurance where you are insuring your car against accidental damage and your insurance company doesn't want to pay for expensive repairs that were caused by others. No state requires you to carry collision insurance.

[mike]

In my church, the mutual aid has become so expensive that our “poorer” members rely on Medicaid now. I argue that if one member is on Medicaid, all of us should be on Medicaid.

How much does it cost for a couple per month?

Most of our church members are on a mutual aid plan that costs a couple about $250 a month. This also covers your children. A single person is half that. The plan has a $1,000 deductible. I'm about to find out how good the plan works, as my son just had a very expensive appendectomy.

[RZehr]

In my church, the mutual aid has become so expensive that our “poorer” members rely on Medicaid now. I argue that if one member is on Medicaid, all of us should be on Medicaid.

How much does it cost for a couple per month?

Most of our church members are on a mutual aid plan that costs a couple about $250 a month. This also covers your children. A single person is half that. The plan has a $1,000 deductible. I'm about to find out how good the plan works, as my son just had a very expensive appendectomy.

Is that Anabaptist Medical Aid Plan?

[mike]

How much does it cost for a couple per month?

Most of our church members are on a mutual aid plan that costs a couple about $250 a month. This also covers your children. A single person is half that. The plan has a $1,000 deductible. I'm about to find out how good the plan works, as my son just had a very expensive appendectomy.

Is that Anabaptist Medical Aid Plan?

Yes. You on it?

[RZehr]

Most of our church members are on a mutual aid plan that costs a couple about $250 a month. This also covers your children. A single person is half that. The plan has a $1,000 deductible. I'm about to find out how good the plan works, as my son just had a very expensive appendectomy.

Is that Anabaptist Medical Aid Plan?

Yes. You on it?

Yes.