Dear Reader,

Now here is a topic that affects a lot of people in different ways! Whatever we think about organ donation will depend largely upon which end of the question we are on!! As well, we are influenced when the person who needs the organ is known to us. Let’s see if we can find anything in God’s Word, the Bible, on the subject.

I would like to touch on two points as we examine some of the issues. One, we know for sure from medical science that many persons would have died if they would not have received a blood transfusion. We also know that many people have given blood, and their lives were not shortened or made less fulfilling by their generosity. Two, we also know that some people would have died, but their lives were spared and extended because they received an organ transplant; the flip side is that someone else had to die in order for the organ to be available. (A very few items can be donated with the donor still living, e.g. kidney, bone marrow, etc.) To summarize these two points, we can say that lives can be improved by organ transplants, but there is a high price to be paid.

I do not know of any scripture that have a direct bearing on organ donation, but there are some principles that I believe do apply. First, Jesus said in St. John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” While this verse is not speaking to the subject of organ donation directly, the thought expressed is that it is a great deed to enable someone else to have life by giving or giving of our own life. Second, the Apostle Paul mentions in Galatians 4:15 that the recipients of his letter would have gladly given him their eyes if that would have been possible. Third, we have the example of Jesus, Himself, who allowed His own life to expire in order for us to be able to have the real life that counts, eternal life.

Perhaps we need to consider one or two other aspects, as well. First, our physical body will not be able to endure eternity in either place. Upon our demise, we will receive a body capable of enduring or enjoying eternity, depending upon where we have prepared to go. Second, it is my understanding that we will be complete and whole in these eternal bodies. Because of that, we need not worry about whether we will have a part missing. Lastly, we need to be aware that we are going to leave this life, no matter how many organs we receive. The Bible again tells us in Hebrews 9:27, “…it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this, the judgment:” This leads me to believe that there is something more important than living a long life, and that is being ready and prepared to enter eternity. What do you think?

Thanks for reading,
Pastor Ritchey