Debts

<<something owing>>

Manage your money wisely and endeavour not to go into debt because “The borrower is the servant [at the mercy of] the lender” (Prov 22:7). It is easier to get into debt than clear the liability. Whenever possible, save first and then purchase rather than the world’s way of instant gratification – ‘buy now, pay later’ – often after the item has lost its appeal or is broken!

Be prompt in settling business accounts, repaying money borrowed and returning loaned equipment. If possible pay back mortgages and long term monetary loans ahead of the appointed time to reduce the total repayment amount that is significantly increased by the interest accrued.  Serious consequences can result from the slow or non-payment of debts including repossession and seizing of other assets besides any future lending is jeopardized by a poor credit rating.

financial sphere, as with any area, is dependent on knowledge and wisdom together with contentment and the personal discipline of saying ‘No’. Budgeting is a invaluable tool, enabling the conscientious user to manage and stay on track with their financial goals.

God counsels, “Give careful thought to your ways’; you may be “putting money in pockets filled with holes”! (Hag 1:5-11). Not putting God first in all things means our priorities are not right. God declared people are under a curse of poverty because they do not give to God what is rightfully His – the tithe (Mal 3:8-10). God’s economy is based on giving and when we do, we set in action the sowing and reaping principle.

A fuller definition of debt extends beyond the financial realm to anything we owe, an obligation, for a duty not fulfilled is a debt unpaid.

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” the debts refered to here are sins (Mt 6:12). Besides confessing (acknowledging) our sin, to receive forgiveness from God we must reciprocate this act of mercy to those who have sinned against us. The Bible clearly states, if we want to be forgiven of the enomous debt we owe to God we must from our heart forgive our fellow man of the small debt they owe us (Mt 6:15). The parable of the unforgiving debtor shows we owe God a debt we can never repay (Mt 18:23-35). Gratitude for this gift of eternal life is to be ‘repayable’ to humans – by loving them, sharing the gospel with them, and by investing time, talents and finance for the Kingdom of God (Mt 25:40; Eph 2:8,9).
A repeated prayer that God would “forgive us our debts” is not necessary for salvation, rather it an aspect of the continuing process of a healthy walk of relationship with Christ.

outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law” (Rom 13:7,8).

See also: borrow, budgeting, credit cards, finance, forgive/forgiveness, good works, money, tithing.