James 1:27 says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." Christian healthcare sharing ministries ("healthshares") exemplify both halves of this verse.
It is fairly obvious how healthshares minister to widows, orphans, and other needy people; but not as obvious how healthshares keep a Christian unstained from the world. If you have heard about the "bro-surance ads" that have been designed to sell Obamacare to healthy young adults, you know what "staining" looks like. If you haven't been exposed to these ads yet--don't!
Ephesians 5:11-12 says, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret." Oh, that these ads were kept in secret! Instead, millions of dollars are being spent to persuade young people to sign up for Obamacare so they can get free birth control or indulge in self-destructive acts.
Healthshares, by contrast, invite believers to live wisely and love well. Sharing your money with a young mother who has just been through a difficult pregnancy is so much more satisfying than having big government or big business take your dollars from your protesting fist to pay for behavior or procedures that violates God's law.
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