Biblical Answer

The Problem of Medical Debt

The question of why God allows medical debt to destroy families is a complex and challenging one. From an evangelical Christian perspective, this issue can be approached by understanding God's character and the nature of sin. Medical debt can be seen as a manifestation of the brokenness and suffering that results from humanity's rebellion against God. As the Bible teaches, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). When individuals and families accumulate medical debt, it is a consequence of their sin and the sin of those who have come before them. God, in His justice and righteousness, demands that the debt be paid, but He also provides a way of satisfaction through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

However, this does not necessarily explain why God allows medical debt to destroy families. From a biblical perspective, God's sovereignty and providence are essential in understanding this issue. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and He governs the universe according to His own purposes. While God is not a creditor who demands payment from humanity, He is a just and righteous God who demands that sin be punished. In His mercy and love, God has provided a way of salvation through Jesus Christ, but He also allows humanity to experience the consequences of their sin. This includes the suffering and hardship that can result from medical debt.

The Role of God in Suffering

In addressing the question of why God allows medical debt to destroy families, it is essential to consider the role of God in suffering. As the Bible teaches, God is not a distant or uncaring God, but a God who is actively involved in the lives of His people. He is a God who suffers with those who suffer and weeps with those who weep (Isaiah 63:9). However, God's role in suffering is not to prevent it entirely, but to provide a way of redemption and salvation through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. In this sense, God's suffering and death on the cross were not a necessary evil, but a voluntary act of love and mercy towards humanity. Similarly, God's allowance of medical debt to destroy families can be seen as a manifestation of His sovereignty and providence, rather than a sign of His absence or indifference. Ultimately, the question of why God allows medical debt to destroy families is a mystery that may not be fully comprehensible to humanity, but it is a mystery that is rooted in God's character and purposes as revealed in the Bible.