Biblical Answer

The Problem of Medical Debt

Medical debt can be a significant burden on families, leading to financial struggles, emotional distress, and even bankruptcy. It is natural to wonder why God allows this to happen. One perspective is that God is not a creditor who demands payment from humanity. Instead, He is a sovereign ruler who governs creation and demands justice. God's primary concern is not with collecting debt, but with maintaining justice and righteousness in the world.

The Nature of God's Justice

According to Anselm, God is a just and righteous ruler who demands that sin be punished. However, He also provides satisfaction for the debt of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This means that God both demands the debt be paid and provides the means for it to be paid. This perspective helps to explain why God allows medical debt to destroy families. It is not because God is a creditor who demands payment, but because He is a sovereign ruler who demands justice and righteousness. By allowing medical debt to occur, God is highlighting the need for humanity to trust in Him and His provision for salvation.

The Provision of God

The Bible teaches that God is a God of justice and righteousness, who provides for the needs of His people. He is not a God who abandons His people in times of need, but rather one who provides for them and sustains them. This is evident in the way that God provided for Israel in times of financial hardship, such as when a husband sold himself or his children to pay off a debt (Exod. 21:7; 2 Kgs 4:1). Similarly, God provides for His people today through His provision of salvation and His promise to care for those who trust in Him. By allowing medical debt to occur, God is pointing His people to Himself as their source of hope and provision. Ultimately, the question of why God allows medical debt to destroy families is not about God's justice or His ability to pay a debt, but about His sovereignty and His desire to draw His people to Himself.