For just £30 a month

Some time before I was born, the Evangelical Bookshop in Belfast, which my Dad manages, was bombed. I'd like to think this was because the terrorists recognised that the books he sells would, when read, contribute to people being a lot less violently committed to whether or not the Province ceases being a province and becomes a part of the Republic. This reason would however involve undue discernment on the part of the terrorists so we'll assume more obviously that it was because, unlike the majority of shopkeepers, he wouldn't pay the terrorists "protection money".

Protection money works as follows: terrorist side A kindly offer a service, "Pay us £X p.a. and we'll make sure terrorist side B don't bomb you." Which being translated, means, "Pay us £X p.a. or we'll bomb you. We're serious. We need the money, to bomb other more strategic targets. Oh, and because you should be terrified of us anyway."

It feeds on our want of security for the future. We've accumulated certain assets, and we want to protect them against future uncertainty.

Which is the insurance business. It feeds on our want of security for the future. We've accumulated certain assets, and we want to protect them against future uncertainty. Now, the insurance business aren't threatening to take away your assets unless you pay them - slight difference there. But they're reminding you that others will. They're reminding you that moth and rust (and land subsidence, and flooding) destroy, and thieves break in and steal. They're feeding on our want of security for the future.

"Pay us each month, and we'll make sure you're eternally secure*."
[*Terms & conditions apply - see here for details.]

Is it not the case that we seem to spend half our lives accumulating stuff, and the other half worrying about or catering for losing it? How liberating, yet challenging, is Luke 12. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." The KINGDOM! You cater for the concern that in the future you might lose your clothes, your music, your furniture, your library, your house, your car, your health. Your Father is standing with a smile holding out to you his kingdom!

O you of little faith! ...do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Insurance for present possessions against future uncertainty? Christ is our present possession, and we are his, and he is our future inheritance, and great reward. We are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken! Hallelujah!