Sunday, October 28, 2012
pm
THE CHRISTIAN AND MONEY
The Christian and Debt
When it comes to the subject of debt and credit, I am of the
conviction that such can be useful, and even good, WHEN it is properly
managed. One can serve God
and own a credit card (though it is not a requirement).
However, we live in a society where credit is abused and debt is
accumulated in an ungodly way.
We live in a materialistic society where our media is constantly
telling us we need more. In
America, we are so affluent, that we are spoiled.
And more often than not, when we accumulate major debt, it
involves sinful conduct that needs to be repented of.
Debt is a serious problem in this nation.
It is a major issue with our government, both federal and state,
as they have set a VERY poor example of living within our means.
But they are NOT alone. Statistics show the negative influence
debt has had on far too many in our nation.
It has reached epidemic proportions.
In 2010, consumer debt in the
United States was nearly 2.4 TRILLION, or $7800 per person.
33% of that was revolving credit.[1]
And whether we like it or not,
the Bible has plenty to say about debt.
Randy Alcorn, in his book, Money, Possessions and Eternity
defines credit as, “a grant to
pay later for what’s received now.
Interest is the fee that the creditor receives and the debtor
pays for his grant. Whenever
a person goes into debt, he obtains money he hasn’t earned.
In exchange for the money or possessions he presently receives,
he mortgages his future time, energies, and assets.”
In our lesson tonight, we are going to notice what the Bible
says about credit and debt and present some questions to consider before
we decide to apply for another credit card or mortgage our lives for
years to come. This lesson
is very personal and as is often the case, I am preaching to myself as
we examine what God’s word says.
a.
These are passages we
have already examined. Let
us keep these in mind as we proceed with our study and consider the
subjects of credit and debt.
b.
Matt. 6:24
– “No one can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and
serve the other; or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the
other. You cannot serve God
and mammon.” Debt is
described as a MASTER! Who
will you serve?
c.
Matt. 6:19-21 – Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…for where you treasure
is, there your heart will also be.
d.
1 John 2:15
– Do not love the world or the things in the world…
e.
1 Tim. 6:6
– “Godliness with contentment is great gain…”
f.
Matt. 6:33,
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these
things shall be added unto you.”
Thought: How much do we really put God first and trust Him to
take care of us?
a.
Scriptures about debt
i.
Prov. 17:18,
“A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes
surety for his friend.”
ii.
Prov. 11:15,
“He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being
surety is secure.”
iii.
Prov. 22:7
– “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the
lender.”
NOTE: Institutions of lending are willing to give out loans so liberally
for one reason – they are profitable.
And they are very good at contributing to the problem of personal
debt. They reel you in with
bait and when they trap you they do all they can to keep you in their
grasp. Their practices are so shrewd, that they are under constant
observation and continued regulations are passed to address their
abuses. When it comes to
creditors, I cannot help but think of James 1:14-15 which deals with
temptation in general.
And it is something we need to be aware of.
iv.
Prov. 22:26-27, “Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who
is surety for debts; If you have nothing with which to pay, why should
he take away your bed from under you?”
v.
Prov. 6:1-5
– if you are in debt on behalf of a friend (borrowed on behalf of or
from a friend).
vi.
Rom. 13:8 –
Owe no man anything… As one
examines this text he is confronted with the question whether it is
ALWAYS sinful to borrow for any reason whatsoever.
It could be said that as long as you are paying your loans as
promised that you don’t owe, which demonstrates that you are honorable
and responsible. I believe a
good case could be made for this.
BUT, we sometimes manipulate this text.
Do we find ourselves borrowing when we should not.
Are we overextended with our credit?
BUT, don’t forget the premise: It is better not to borrow!
vii.
1 Corinthians 7:23 says a price was paid for us, “Do not become slaves of men.”
b.
In addition to such
passages when we borrow there are other principles that we need to
factor in.
i.
Do we give as we ought to? We know as Christians we are to lay by in store as we have
prospered (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
We are supposed to give cheerfully and liberally (2 Cor. 9:6-8).
When we go into debt, does it put us into a position where we are NOT
able to give as we ought to? IF so, do we need to repent?
ii.
Does our debt keep us from being able to do good?
Christians are to be about doing
good – Titus 2:14 speaks of being zealous for good works (while not all
financial, they can be included (cf. 2 Cor. 8:1-5 – the brethren at
Macedonia).
Eph. 4:28 clearly calls for us to work so that we can give to others.
Quite often, our debts keep us from being able to help someone
who is truly in need. At
other times, there may be good works, such as helping a preacher go
overseas but because we such debt, whatever disposable income is used to
pay minimal payments on credit, leaving little to use for God’s glory.
iii.
Debt is usually driven by our materialistic cravings.
1 Tim. 6:17 – the reach were commanded not to trust in uncertain
riches. WE are told that
friendship with the world is enmity with God (Jas. 4:4).
Do we go in debt for things we don’t really need?
Are we more concerned with “keeping up with the Jones” that
trusting God.
Remember the commercial a few years ago about the man who spoke of his
nice car, house and neighborhood, and then he said, “I’m in debt up to
my eyeballs”? Is it possible
that when we want something we can’t afford and consider credit to get
it that we are pursuing something that God really doesn’t want us to
have?
iv.
Debt can cause us to compromise, to miss out on opportunities, etc.
Often increased debt leads to bankruptcy, which almost always
involves sinful conduct; lying when one gets behind, etc.
Psalm 37:21 – the wicked
borrows and does not repay.
IF we have to take out a second job, that takes away time from service
to God and our brethren. Perhaps
it causes us to forsake the assembly because we have to work more.
v.
How has debt affected my family and personal life?
Almost always, debt is not merely an individual problem.
It involves the whole family.
Debt is one of the leading causes of divorce and fights in
marriages. Christian homes
ought to be governed by Biblical principles, but often debt turns the
focus to materialistic pursuits.
That 2nd job leads to time away from the children or
spouse, etc.
vi.
How has debt affected my mental wellbeing?
We are told as Christians not to worry (Matt. 6:25-33), but when
we have accumulated massive debt it leads to worry.
Why? Because you are
a slave to the lender.
Imagine how a husband feels when he cannot adequately provide for his
family because they have squandered their resources.
He has FAILED in his responsibilities and he knows it!
There are many who are living in depression and seeking professional
help because their spending is out of control.
Do you suppose that God is pleased with such?
vii.
Debt can affect our spirituality. When you
add up all the issues we have discussed, how can one maintain a godly
attitude when he is materialistic, worried about his physical things,
and even more how to pay for them?
Here is something else to consider, if God is NOT pleased with
the way we are conduct our lives (because of our divided loyalties), how
can we expect His blessings?
When we have overspent for things we don’t need, and often things that
hinder our service to Him, how can we expect God to be pleased with us
when we don’t have enough to lay by in store or to help a brother in
need?
Friends, I hope in these things we can see the dangers of debt.
And it is something we need to give careful consideration to.
But what if we are already in debt, what do we need to do?
a.
Be smart and seek to
understand that when you owe someone, the money you are giving them in
interest is money you cannot use for other things.
If you are paying $100 a month in interest, that is $100 less you
have available to take care of your responsibilities, to give to God and
to help others. AND if the
credit you have accumulated was for disposable things – then the whole
amount of your debt (plus monthly interest and fees) is resources you
don’t have available for proper use.
b.
Be careful not to turn
wants into needs. In our
affluent society, there are things we think are necessities, but are
they?
c.
IF you have a problem –
you have to talk about it and admit it.
This includes communicating with your family.
d.
If you are guilty of
some of the sins we have discussed – you NEED TO REPENT!
e.
Stop right now making
matters worse and resolve to get on track as quickly as possible.
f.
Don’t abandon God – some
reason that if they have debt, they don’t need to give to the church.
NOT true! IF you are
commanded to give, and your troubles are the result of your
irresponsible behavior, should God suffer because of that?
If you trust God and are truly trying to do the right thing, KEEP
Him first! Malachi called it
robbing God. (Mal. 3:8)
g.
Resolve to be a wise
steward and realize that all you have actually belongs to God.
Let that govern your conduct and decisions.
h.
Begin eliminating your
debt! If you need it, seek
godly help - Brethren who can help you address your needs.
BUT please know that simply talking with someone will do no good,
unless you heed their advice!
i.
Develop a budget that
includes God and do your utmost to live by it.
These are Biblical principles that will help us, not only to
avoid the dangers of debt, but also to overcome the debt that we find
ourselves guilty of. In all
that you do, seek to be right with God.
Pray about it (1 Pet. 5:7) The wonderful thing about our God is
that He has provided a way for you to be restored to Him, no matter what
you have done or where you are.
It only takes a step to get yourself right with Him, in whatever
area of life that might be.