God and Debt

Do Christians ever stop to wonder if God and debt can be in harmony for the Christians relationship with God?  Are God and debt compatible?  Can the Christian, who by name should be somewhat committed the Christ, get by with both God and debt?

When we examine what the Bible says about God and debt, we can get a handle on what our responsibilities are when it comes to debt.  Overall, the Bible doesn’t say that God and debt are incompatible, but it does say there is a right way to handle that debt.  It is that right way, the Biblical way that should forge the principles we use regarding Debt and therefore uphold a balanced association for us between God and debt.

First, we should realize that borrowing is not specifically condemned.  It does say, however, in Exodus 22:14, that what we borrow, we are expected to repay.  If we fail to pay back what we borrow, the Bible refers to us as “wicked.”  The Bible also says we need to be realistic about our financial situation in that we should not borrow what we don’t have the ability to repay.  Proverbs 22:26-27 says this.  “Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?”  So actually, it says if we borrow without the ability to repay, we will lose not only what we borrowed, but more, even potentially the bed we sleep in.

Second, as far as God and debt are concerned, borrowing is a matter of integrity.  Ecclesiastes 5:5 puts it this way.  “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.”  It is both unfair and dishonest if we borrow with no intention to repay. 

Other principles we ought to consider regarding God and debt are these.  No where in Scripture to we see God providing for people by way of a loan.  God always seems to provide either a way for the money to be earned or a provision that comes as a gift.  One of the problems we cause ourselves is that when things get tight, rather than pray, we borrow.  Also, while God does not directly say borrowing is a sin, unsecured borrowing is definitely not in our best interests.  The other consideration comes from Proverbs 22:7. “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”  When we borrow, we become a slave to the person or organization to whom we owe the money.  We work to pay them back, as opposed to having money to pursue other opportunities the Lord provides.  We can miss out on the best God has for us because we are enslaved in repaying what we borrow.

All in all, when it comes to our relationship with God and debt, it is better for us not to be in debt. When the debt is secured, such as with a house or car, there is something held in trust that represents the value of the loan.  When the debt is unsecured, there is nothing other than what you have for cash.  This inhibits other areas where God would have to participate.  It follows therefore, that when we are in debt that is unsecured, we are, to an extent out of the will of God for our lives. 

What is the answer when it comes to God and debt?  The answer is that we can not be one hundred percent within the will of God when we are in debt because we are a slave to the lender and prevented from doing all that God would have us to do.  We should set up a budget to live within our means and avoid being on the wrong side of God and debt.

If you are in debt and you want to get out of debt in a manner that does not violate your integrity or cause a misstep in your walk with God, please check out the Debt Dominator.

If you are already in serious debt trouble, with collection agencies calling and causing stress in your family, please take a moment to look at the Stop Credit Harassment program.