You are near death’s doorstep. The only thing that seemingly may save your life is an experimental medical procedure. You do not have the needed funds, and your health insurance will not cover the very expensive surgery. But on this day a man from the community enters your hospital room. The man is well known for his reputation of being a drug dealer, sex trafficker and even possibly connected to murder. In his extended hand is a check made out to you for more than enough money to cover the cost of the surgery. He looks you in the eye and says, “You know how I got this money.”
Many people would not even hesitate as they gratefully accepted the blood money - “money obtained ruthlessly and at a cost of suffering to others” (Dictionary.com).
Now you, a Christian, face the moral dilemma: “What to do?” If you refuse the “gift,” you probably will die. Is it wrong to benefit from the sinful behavior of another? Think about it; you did not have anything to do with the harm that befell others because of the money. You do not approve of how the money was obtained. But, the money itself has nothing to do with good or evil. It is just an inanimate object which can be used for either purpose. You are not directly connected to the evil. You are just a BENEFICIARY: “a person or group that receives benefits, profits, or advantages” (Dictionary.com).
Is there a clear-cut biblical answer? Consider the account of our Lord’s betrayal in Matthew 27:3-8; Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” 7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
Why was the betrayal money not an acceptable “lawful” gift to God? The money was therefore used to purchase a cemetery for strangers who died in the land. No living person benefited. Is it proper for us to accept what God refuses?
Now apply that line of reasoning to the benefits of harvesting from aborted children. You were not involved. You do not agree with the murder by abortion. You cannot undo what has already been done. Besides, if you do not accept the help, there are plenty of others who will.
Is it proper for us to accept what God refuses? Will you accept the thirty pieces of silver?
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