A person, group, or nation’s true character often emerges not so much when things are going well but more-so during a crisis or challenge. Crises or challenges often aid in removing superficial layers. When the facade is stripped away what remains is true character.
The Lord has allowed the Coronavirus Pandemic to test and/or unveil the true character of individuals, groups, and nations. Political leaders to whom many are turning are grappling with the tension between health and wealth. At the heart of this tension is the concept of trust. This challenge between self-reliance and trust in man or trust in God is real. It is not anything new. It has simply been magnified by the current coronavirus test. The soul-searching question is, how do we balance the desire to procure or secure economic prosperity and the need to protect or ensure physical health? Do we put economic prosperity above the lives of humans? In our effort to preserve our lifestyle, is it right to sacrifice any life, or do we do what is morally right and preserve every life at all cost?
The tension is clearly reflected in statements made by leaders, individuals, and groups at varying levels. The tension has been intensified since the economic earthquake, resulting from the pandemic, shocked and rattled the nerves of economists, investors, large and small businesses, average Americans, and politicians. The voices are Numerous, and there are influential people on both sides.
Tankersley, et al. write:
”Official have said that the federal government’s initial 15-day period of social distancing is vital to slow the spread of the virus, which has already infected more than 400,000 people in the United States. But Mr. Trump and a chorus of conservative voices have begun to suggest that the shock to the economy could hurt the country more than deaths from the virus.” (Tankersley, Jim. Maggie Haberman and Roni Caryn Rabin, “Trump Considers Reopening Economy, Over Health Experts’ Objection” [nytimes.com, 23 March 2020])
During a Fox News Virtual Town Hall meeting with the President and members of his Coronavirus task force, the president responded to questions regarding the reopening of the country. When asked, “How do you make the decision? He responded:
Well, you have to make the decision. Look, we lose thousands – I brought some numbers here. We lose thousands and thousands of people a year to the flu. We don’t turn the economy off – I mean, every year. Now when I heard the number – you know the average 37,000 people a year. Can you believe that? And actually, this year we are having a bad flu season. But we lose thousands of people a year to the flu. We never turn the country off. We lose much more than that in automobile accidents. We didn’t call up the automobile companies and say, ‘Stop making cars. We don’t want any cars anymore.’ We have to get back to work. (whitehouse.gov: 24 March 2020)
Later, when asked, “So when you look at the data from around the world and across our country, how do you determine that 19 days from now it might be safe? He responded:
. . . So I think it’s very important for our country to go back. And I’ve had many, many people — you know, when you said it was a little bit controversial, not to most people. Most people think I’m right about it. Now, whether we’re locked in a room, or whether we’re in our office and practicing all of the things that we’re supposed to be practicing — staying away from each other, you know, et cetera, not shaking hands, washing your hands all of the time. But our country has to get back to work. Otherwise — otherwise, it’s going to be very hard to start it up again. We can’t lose the advantage that we have. (whitehouse.gov: 24 March 2020)
While some are in favor of reopening early, there are others who have expressed disagreement with the idea because of the potential negative impact it could have on lives.
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) writes:
“There will be no normally functioning economy if our hospitals are overwhelmed and thousands of Americans of all ages, including our doctors and nurses, lay dying because we have failed to do what’s necessary to stop the virus.” (Liz Cheney, @Liz_Cheney. March 24)
Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) states:
“If you ask the American people to choose, between public health and the economy, then it’s no contest. No American is going to say, accelerate the economy, at the cost of human life. Because no American is going to say how much a life is worth. Job one has to be save lives. That has to be the priority. And there’s a smarter approach to this. We don’t have to choose between the two. You can develop a more refined public health strategy that is also an economic strategy.” (governor.ny.gov, 24 March 2020)
It is often easier to make adverse decisions when we are not directly affected. When the decisions that we make negatively affect us, we tend to think differently. In a TV commercial, “How Many Pedestrian Deaths are OK,” by the Florida Department of Transportation, a young man was confronted with a morally thought-provoking question:
“Did you know in Florida an average of 800 pedestrians and bicyclists are killed in car crashes every year? What do you think is a more acceptable number? The young man responded, maybe 50. Immediately, his family and friends came out into the light before him. The person asking the question said to him, “This is what 50 looks like.” His response was, “those are my family and friends.” Immediately, his perspective changed. The question was asked again, how many do you say? His response this time was different, “zero; definitely, zero.”
Fear of the unknown makes us think that we have the right to choose who live or die. The fact of the matter is that such a decision is reserved for God and God alone. Apart from those who have committed murder and has forfeited the right to live, the government is responsible under God to protect and preserve human lives (Gen. 9:5-6; Num. 35:30-31; Rom. 13:1-7). We cannot sacrifice our souls, the soul of our family, the soul of a nation for material prosperity. Many have done so to their own demise. In this regard, the word of Paul to young Timothy is apropos:
“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Tim. 6:6-12). [NASB]
The wise man also warns regarding misplaced values:
“He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. (Prov. 11:28) [NASB]
Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,
Cease from your consideration of it.
When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens” (Prov, 23:4-5). [NASB]
The irony is that the tension that exist is certainly misguided because the value of material things cannot be compared with the value of human lives. The two are really juxtapose. The value of material things can be quantified while the value of human lives cannot. Material things are temporal and are fading (Matt. 6:19-21) while human lives are eternal (Matt. 10:28; Lk. 16:22-32; Jn. 5:28-29). Man was not created for material things; material things were created for man’s benefit (1 Tim. 6:17; Lk. 12:15) and to be used to fulfill God’s purpose (1 Cor. 10:31). As we take the necessary steps to stay safe during this crisis/challenge, we must endeavor to guard our soul (Mk. 8:36-37).