What does debt mean in the Bible?
Debt and debtor are used in a moral sense also as indicating the obligation of a righteous life which we owe to God. To fall short in righteous living is to become a debtor. For this reason we pray, "Forgive us our debts" (Matthew 6:12).
Something owed to another person, such as goods, property, or money. In the Bible, righteous conduct is something one “owes” to God; hence, in theology, sin is described figuratively as being “in debt.”
to owe, to be obliged. חוֹבָה chova. ח - י - ב
It doesn't say that it's a sin to borrow
While the Bible offers many warnings about the dangers of debt, it never says that you are out of God's will or violating one of God's commandments when you borrow. We can debate the wisdom of incurring debt under certain circ*mstances, but it's never a black-and-white issue.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV). There are so many benefits to giving. Always. We encourage you to continue doing it even as you dig your way out of debt.
Debt and debtor are used in a moral sense also as indicating the obligation of a righteous life which we owe to God. To fall short in righteous living is to become a debtor. For this reason we pray, "Forgive us our debts" (Matthew 6:12).
The word trespass suggests that we have violated a rule or committed an infraction. The word debt suggests we owe God something we cannot pay. “Forgive us our debts” suggests that we have done things that we should not have done, and left undone things we should have done.
You must pay your debts. As Christians, we must be true to our word, which means debts must be repaid. Debts are obligations and we cannot walk away from them. In fact, we must do our absolute best to pay them back according to the exact terms we established.
Debts & loans are Blessings when managed prudently, but become a curse when used abruptly. Gone are the days when our fathers, grandfathers bought house & vehicles in cash. Money generally borrowed from relatives & friends, banking system & credit institutions were not so user friendly and reachable to masses.
Etymology. From Middle English dette, dett, borrowed from Old French dete (French dette), from Medieval Latin dēbita, from Latin dēbitum (“what is owed, a debt, a duty”), neuter of dēbitus, perfect passive participle of dēbeō (“I owe”), contraction of *dehibeō (“I have from”), from de (“from”) + habeō (“I have”).
Does God forgive debts?
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, ...
As in Matthew 6:12 above, debts are taken to mean sin. Just as the king (God) had forgiven the debts (sins) of his slaves, so the unforgiving slave should have forgiven the debts (sins toward him) of his fellow slaves. Forgiveness is to replace indebtedness.
Here are 7 things Jesus said on the subject of money, and what they mean for us today: 1. “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42). Most of us think that our giving and lending is a matter of personal preference.
While tithing 10% of your income is biblical, you're not required to tithe to be a Christian. And you're not a bad Christian if you don't tithe. Thankfully, God loves us when we give and when we don't give.
Although we aren't commanded to give 10% of our earnings to God, he does expect us to be givers. Don't look at the requirement to not tithe as an opportunity to be stingy. In the Old Testament, God required Israelite farmers and herdsmen to give the tithe regardless if they were in debt or not.
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?
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.
Pay everyone whatever you owe them. If you owe taxes, pay them. If you owe tolls, pay them.
Listen, if you're knee-deep in a money crisis of your own, I'm here to tell you: God has your back! Trust me, I know it's tough to trust God when you have no money. And although we may feel blindsided or overwhelmed, God doesn't! He'll provide a way through to the other side.
We are putting ourselves into debt bondage (Proverbs 22:7) and presuming upon God to bail us out. Many times debt reveals a lack of contentment with what He has provided, and ultimately a lack of faith in God's ability to provide. We aren't content with what we have, and want more.
What is our debt to God?
We are all indebted to God due to our sin. The debt is eternal. It therefore requires an eternal payment. The debt is paid because Christ paid it.
As our various English translations have it, do we mean sins, trespasses, or debts? Debt covers both financial and non-financial owing, as in “mortgage debt” and “debt of gratitude.” Trespass points to property violations. Sin connotes violation of sacred commandments.
In dealing with debt in our lives, Step 1 create a zero-based budget – live within your budget and don't become a slave through borrowing. With this don't co-sign on loans and when and if you do borrow make sure that you pay back what you owe.
Lord, thank You for helping me avoid shady shortcuts. As I plan, I'm asking for Your presence, leadership, and guidance so I can be led out from under this poverty. I commit this hard work to You and trust You will help me come out debt free. Father, in Jesus' name, I'm asking for Your strategies.
Romans 13:8 AMPC
Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor [who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law [relating to one's fellowmen, meeting all its requirements].
