Christians often face unique dilemmas. There are the big conundrums like capital punishment; “Thou shalt not kill” and “An eye for an eye” and only God can judge. Where does that leave believers? Then there are the smaller issues that you may face in your own personal, daily lives. One such predicament comes with home security systems. God tells His people to trust in Him to keep you safe. But, Christians should also not be careless or irresponsible.
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper … —Isaiah 54:17, KJV
God also instructs His people to be wise with their money. So, how much do these home security systems cost? Well, that depends on what kind you are interested in and what you want it to do. These systems can be as low as $100 or less for a single camera that does not record but allows you to monitor it from anywhere live on a computer or smart phone. Full service systems that include multiple cameras, door and window sensors, 24/7 monitoring service and recording capabilities usually charge a monthly service fee and can cost as much as $500 to install and $50 or more per month. And, of course, there is everything in between.
However, many homeowners insurance companies offer a discount if you have a security system installed. It can be as high as 15 percent or more off your premium. So, is it worth it?
There are many factors that you must use to determine whether or not it is right for you. Some factors to consider would be the type of neighborhood you live in and your family’s habits. Are there a lot of break-ins? Will young or old family members be home by themselves? Do you have a lot of irreplaceable objects to protect? Will the added security give you peace of mind? If you are constantly worried about something and there is a simple solution to ease your mind, you should certainly consider it.
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? —Luke 12:25, KJV
The NIV translation of that verse from Luke reads, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” And there are many more verses in the Bible where God explicitly tells people not to worry. Maybe that new system will take that burden from you.
The best thing you can do if you are on the fence about whether or not it is worth the money to install one of these systems is to pray about it. Ask God for His guidance. The answer to this particular question will be different for everyone. Lean on Jesus and trust that your decision is the one He led you to.