Sunday: The Debt Problems
Read Deuteronomy 28:1-2, Deuteronomy 28:12. What is God’s ideal for His children regarding debt? How can they attain this ideal? And though this context is very different from ours, what principles can we take away from this context and apply to our own now?
Studies show that there are three primary reasons that people get into financial difficulty. They are listed here in the order of greatest frequency.
Image © Jeff Preston at Goodsalt.com
The first is ignorance. Many people, even the educated, are financially illiterate. They were simply never exposed to the biblical or even secular principles of money management. There is hope, however! This lesson will provide a simple outline of these principles and how to apply them.
The second reason for financial difficulties is greed, or selfishness. In response to advertising and personal desire, people simply live beyond their means. They aren’t willing to live in, drive, or wear what they can really afford. Many of these same people also feel that they are just too poor to tithe. As a consequence, they live their lives without God’s promised wisdom and blessing (see Malachi 3:10-11; Matthew 6:33). There’s hope for these people as well, but it requires a change of heart — and a spirit of contentment.
The third reason people find themselves in financial difficulty is personal misfortune. They may have experienced a serious illness without adequate health insurance. They may have been abandoned by a spendthrift marriage partner. A natural disaster may have wiped out their possessions. Or they may have been born and raised in abject poverty. There is hope for these people, too. Though their path is more difficult, their troubles can be overcome. Change may come in the support of Christian friends; the counsel and/or assistance of godly counselors; hard work coupled with a good education; and the blessing and providence of God.
Whatever the reason, even if it’s a person’s own fault, debt can be alleviated. However, those in debt will need to make some changes in their lives, their spending, and their financial priorities.
| Read 1 Timothy 6:6-9. What is Paul saying here that all of us need to heed? What do these words mean to you, and in what ways can you better follow what the Word is teaching us here? |
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The author references 1st Timothy 6:6-9 as an admonition to people who aspire to be rich. My questions are:
a) Is Christianity a religion that doesn't instil the virtue of hard work on its adherents, to be rich?
b) What does Christianity define as being rich?
e) What's God's perception on the rich and the poor?
Simeon, it helps to read the passage in a different translation. For instance, the NLT reads this way:
The emphasis is on "longing" to be rich. Abraham and Job were wealthy, and they were both friends of God. People who work hard, are thrifty and return tithes and give offerings may be blessed with wealth, and they can do great good. But Paul warns us against pursuing wealth for its own sake.
Proverbs 21:5,25-26 is wise counsel….
5 plan carefully, and you will have plenty. If you act too quickly, you will never have enough.
25 The desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous gives and does not spare.
If you look on a map of Australia you will find a little town called Camooweal in Western Queensland. It is about as far away from everywhere that you can be in Australia and still be on a sealed road. It has a pub, a campground and a fuel station all rolled into one, two or three houses and police station. We stayed there overnight and bought two tanks of diesel for the Troopy. Believe it or not, they had "tap and go" payment available. So when the young lady at the cash register asked if I was going to pay cash or card. I held up my arm and pointed to my watch. She had never seen a watch that paid before and was absolutely fascinated that when I waved my arm in front of the "tap and go" the transaction was approved and she was paid. "Wow!" she said. "I've got to have one of those. It's magic!"
I said to her as I left, "It's the same old story though! It's not the watch that pays. The money still comes out of my bank account! I have not managed to get the watch to actually pay my bills!"
This brings me to the fourth issue regarding indebtedness; advertising. If you listen to the advertising regarding credit cards and similar, you would be excused for thinking that it is the credit cards that are paying the bills for you. And even among my friends and acquaintances, I hear comments like, "I have maxed out my credit cards (plural)."
The problem is so bad that there are help services to help folk sort out their credit card accounts and get them down to a manageable level again.
I use a credit card. It is a quick and convenient way of paying bills when I am shopping and so on. And yes it is linked to my watch, which is even more convenient. But I do not use it as a credit service to purchase things that I will have to pay off over time. I know how much that costs. I use the old-fashioned approach; if I want something badly, I save up until I can afford to buy it.
Don't believe the advertising hype about credit facilities in the media. Ultimately you have to pay the bill and the credit charges as well.
I am yet to see a nation that adopt biblical policy regarding zero borrowing. This week's lesson talks about an issue that is eating many of us individuals and our governments.
Most governments are operating on borrowing. For instance, my country Papua New Guinea has accumulated over 30 billion loan. And every year the governments keep borrowing.
The fact that we're facing this issue is that our national leaders are operating more on philisophies and business principles of this world and does not give serious considerations to Bible principles.
It would be well for us individuals and our National leaders to take heed of this week's lesson seriously, especially Adventist leaders. God's plan is to make us the head and not the tail only. If Joseph can save Egypt from famine for seven years of drought by managing well during seven years of plenty, our current Adventists Josephs can make a difference.
In 1 Timothy 6:6-9, Paul is emphasizing the importance of contentment, financial generosity, and laying up treasure in heaven. Paul is teaching that it is the Lord we should seek first, and not money. We should not be overly concerned with material gain, and we should give generously out of the love and grace that has been extended to us. This reminds us that our true treasure lies in the Lord and no earthly gain can truly compare to the rewards of an eternity with Him.
We can heed this message by committing to put the Lord first in our lives, as opposed to chasing after money and material possessions. We can also strive to be generous with our time, money, and resources, remembering that what we give comes from the Lord and should be shared with others out of gratitude for our blessings. We can also store up treasures in heaven by investing our energy and resources in building good relations with those around us and in good works that further the gospel. Finally, we can be content in all circumstances, knowing that our ultimate security, provision, and peace come from the Lord.
May the Holy Spirit take over and guard against the “ I see, I want and I buy “ syndrome that has captivated many lives It is one common thing that increases the chances of indebtedness. And when you are not financially sound, not only does it affect your finances but come against our Christian life. May God help us with his divine wisdom in this walk of life. Amen
There is one item that the Apostle Paul leaves out here and that is "Shelter." Christians should not bother others for a free place to live either. So I would say that Godliness, Contentment, with food, clothes, and shelter, is all that a true Christian should strive for without bothering others to provide these items for them.
It appears to me that Christianity has lost a lot of its ‘attractiveness’ in the eyes of the world because it neglects to magnify accurately the ‘Way of Life’ – to be the shining city on a hill, magnifying God's Glory - contained in the Gospel message.
Though today’s Christian’s virtues are recognized for their readiness to ‘give’, non-Christians are giving as well and in ways far more ‘visible’ than the mission work of the organized church. This attracts followers to the 'social gospel, the citizen's civic responsibilty through works'.
Our government and many multinational organizations are giving billions of their monatary funds to support non-profit organizations to address sickness and destitution abroad and at home. Receiving these ‘gifts’ represents a 'two-edged sword' to which many dangerous strings are attached. Situations are getting worse and this demonstrates its ineffectiveness to stop the homelessness-crisis and addiction-problem (unless it is not designed to do so in the first place).
I think what is at the heart of the ‘dept problem’ is for people not knowing or having to learn and accept to live responsibly - the right(ous) way of life. The lesson points to ‘3 reasons why people get into financial difficulties.’ I want to add one more – spiritual ignorance about the purpose of life for all mankind.
I am sure that most people would want to change their ways if given the right understanding of how to deal with the problem effectively, but they need to first be helped to recognize the root-causes underlying the imbalance!
I am certain that professionals offer many solutions addressing the mental and emotional stability of the person in order to help them implement their suggestions to make changes. In my opinion, the churches should be at the fore-front of these efforts to educate the believer about financial stewartship as part of their spiritual stewardship-responsibilities.
The organized church at large as well as the individual need to fulfill their obligations as stewards of that which has been entrusted to them. As I see it, fully appreciating the underlying spiritual ‘principles of life’ - ‘living to give’ -, is the first step to effectively address the 'imbalance' which causes most people’s ‘dept problem’.
I believe that Ellen G. White indicated that borrowing for a home, for business, and for education are three areas where God is fine with the idea of borrowing -- in these three areas. I also think that the idea of no debt is in the areas of wanting something other than these areas. and to borrow for these other areas. that is not wise to do. So, where the Bible says to "Owe no man anything," that should be translated to mean to "Be responsible about your debts and pay them when they become due." This would be the correct way to interpret this biblical counsel.
Hi, Pete. Thanks for the ideas. I note that Ellen White's writings are readily available online, including a search engine. Would you be able to find where she actually said these things?
Have a great day!
Hi again, R.G. White. I actually have the disc of Ellen G. White's writings on my desk top computer. I will look this up and give you the references to it.
Hi again, R.G. White. It was my "Spiritual and work trainer" 50 plus or minus years ago, that told me about Ellen G. White counselling as to debt in education, business, home, and God's work, to be a good thing to do. There seems to be no counsel written in her writings about this to church members however. But I did find that she involved herself in borrowing money from banks to pay other church members to help them get out of their debts to God's work. there is an account in her book "Life Sketches," about this very thing regarding the "Avondale School Property," there was no page number given in the reference here though. Because of my "Spiritual Mentor's" counsel to me, I purchased a home and it is all paid off. I never forgot his words, "It is better to make a house payment on a loan for it than to pay a landlord to rent from and help him or her to make his house payment." My wife borrowed for her education as a teacher and now has a good pension from the government and she paid off all her loan for her education. I still have customers for whom I do construction work, for what I paid him to train me to do construction work, even though I am already 79 years old.
The Bible does not mean that if somebody has need of food and clothing, he is bothering you to provide! I hope you will be gracious to me. It is rather an opportunity.
Can I say that if I am homeless, you can't live with me? How many people did Cornelius stay with? In his right mind, Barnabas sold (all) his land to support ministry. He was homeless. Is that too much foolishness, to host that man? I guess you hosted somebody that displeased you sorely, and you perhaps vowed to never host any other. Sorry, but the blessing is there! Heb. 13:1,2. Thank you.
I have read all the comments presented by contributors on this burning issue of Christianity and debt burden. I have learned a lot in the process.
Regards.