Should Christians be debt free?
The Bible never says that going into debt is a sin. However, it issues a very stark warning: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender”. That's not at all how Jesus intended us to live.
Romans 13:8 (AMPC) tells us to Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another... My husband, Dave, says that if we learn to live within our income, or our borders, then God will bless us.
Matthew 6:12 - Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 18:27, 30, 32, 34 - Forgive because your debts have been forgiven. Luke 7:42-43 - He who is forgiven much (debt) loves much; he who is forgiven little (debt) loves little. Romans 4:4 - Wages, like a debt owed, must be paid.
Financial freedom means having enough to provide adequately for your household and to give generously and joyfully to God's work. God wants you to be financially free so you can put Him first in your life and be sensitive to His voice, ready to follow Him whenever -- and wherever -- He leads.
Summary: Borrowing and lending are both approved practices in the Bible as long as interest rates are reasonable, no interest is imposed upon the poor and the money is paid back in a responsible and timely fashion. If someone cannot fulfill these principles, it would be sinful to borrow.
It is best not to owe any debt, which should be the goal and pursuit of every Christian. But, needing to borrow is not wrong. Christians who hear God's voice and have God's financial principles to guide them can make wise borrowing decisions.
While being in debt is not a sin, Romans 13:8 tells the Christian to avoid being in debt. Sinners borrow from others and never return what they borrowed (Psalm 37:21). Christians should not besmirch the name of Christ by being a deadbeat.
God is working to display His glory in our financial limitations. This is true not only because it forges our character to become more like Christ, but also because it allows us to be witnesses of Christ to those who do not know Him.
It's wrong not to repay debts
Psalm 37:21 says, “The wicked borrows but does not pay back.” This doesn't necessarily mean that it's always wrong for a Christian to declare bankruptcy.
The Bible encourages saving.
Saving is accumulating appropriate material resources for a defined, responsible purpose. A wise person does this (Prov. 6:6-8, 21:20). As you work and God provides you with income, He expects you to pay your taxes, give to His work and meet your present needs.
Does the Bible forbid debt?
Romans 13:8 “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” The Bible does not forbid debt, but it does not speak positively of it. It acknowledges that debt is a part of life, but has several warnings that we need to pay attention to.
Luke 6:34-35
Here we have Jesus saying, “lend, expecting noth- ing in return,” again to the crowds as well as to Jesus' disciples (Lk 17, 7:1). Garland (2011) suggests that Jesus says this because his teaching reaffirms the essence of the Old Testament prohibition against interest.
1. Be cautious about bringing a church into debt. Proverbs 22:26-27 says, “Don't be one of those who enter agreements, who put up security for loans. If you have nothing with which to pay, even your bed will be taken from under you.”
Debt is not God's best for our lives, because it prevents us from being able to do what He's called us to do. If God called you to move to another city, cut your hours at work or give extravagantly to someone in need, could you do it right now? Whatever we're controlled by is what we're enslaved to.
Similarly, in Deuteronomy 15, God says that every seven years, creditors should “remit the claim that is held against a neighbor” because “the Lord's remission has been proclaimed.” In the New Testament, Jesus instructs his followers to pray “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12, ...
If we take God's Word seriously, we should avoid debt when we can, since “the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7, NLT). And since Jesus tells us we cannot serve both God and money, we should ask ourselves, before undertaking any debt, How will this affect my capacity to give generously?
If you're in debt, tithing should still be a priority. Listen, I know it's tempting to throw that money at your debt, but the discipline and faith that tithing brings are so worth it. Even while you're paying down debt, you can still have an attitude of generosity.
The Bible makes it clear that people are generally expected to pay their debts. Leviticus 25:39. No one will or should advance any argument against this general proposition.
Pay everyone whatever you owe them. If you owe taxes, pay them. If you owe tolls, pay them.
God's Word does not forbid financial debt, but discourages it and warns of its bondage and its tendency to encourage us to presume upon the future. Jesus affirmed the personal right to borrow money and called His disciples to responsible stewardship.
What sins can never be forgiven?
The unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
PAYMENT OF DEBTS
If you really cannot pay your debts you do not commit sin by not paying them. No one is bound to do what is impossible.
- Ten Principles to Realize True Financial Freedom.
- 1) Understand that God Cares about your Finances ~ 2 Chronicles 29:11-12.
- 2) Have a Biblical Eternal View when it comes to your Money & Possessions ~
- Mark 8:36.
- 3) Have a Balanced Spending Plan ~ Luke 16:11.
- 4) Eliminate Harmful Debt ~ Romans 13:8.
While God does not expect us to live on nothing, he does require us to maximise our resources for the building of God's kingdom. Those fortunate enough to be born into affluence have a responsibility to use their wealth to provide for those who don't have enough.
Luke 6:20-21 (NIV)
“Looking at his disciples, he said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. '”
