Biblical principles governing debt
These biblical principles help us to have a correct view of debts, and to handle them with wisdom and fear of God.
Debt is a reality that affects many people and families in today's world.
Debt is not a sin, but it is not a blessing either. They are a tool that we can use to achieve our goals, as long as we do so with prudence, generosity, fidelity and gratitude.
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Biblical principles governing debt |
Be prudent and responsible
Proverbs 22:7 says, "The rich lord it over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender . " This means that we must avoid borrowing more than we can pay, and that we must meet our payment commitments. We must not be slaves to debts or interest. This suggests the importance of not going into debt irresponsibly, as it can lead to a dependency relationship.
Be generous and supportive
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 says, "If there be among you a poor one of your brothers, in any of the cities of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you must not harden your heart, nor close your hand against your poor brother, but you will open your hand to him liberally, and in fact you will lend him what is sufficient for his need . " This means that we must help those who have fewer resources, and that we must lend without usury or greed.
Be faithful and grateful
Psalm 37:21 says, "The wicked borrows and does not repay; but the righteous has mercy and gives . " This means that we must recognize that everything we have is from God, and that we must honor Him with our possessions. We should not be dishonest or ungrateful to those who lend to us. The idea here is to be faithful in fulfilling your financial commitments and paying your debts on time.
Avoid greed and avarice
Jesus warns about the importance of not being dominated by the love of money in Luke 12:15, saying, "Take heed and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." This can be applied to the idea of avoiding accumulating excessive debts due to excessive desires.
Prioritize basic needs
In Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus urges his followers to trust in God for their needs and to seek first the kingdom of God, rather than worrying excessively about material concerns. This could be interpreted as a call to prioritize basic needs over superfluous expenses.
The importance of planning
In Luke 14:28-30, Jesus talks about the need to plan before embarking on a project, comparing it to building a tower. This could apply to managing finances and debt, emphasizing the importance of planning carefully before making important financial decisions.
Be prudent and wise
Proverbs is full of advice on wisdom and prudence in making financial decisions. For example, Proverbs 21:5 says, "The thoughts of the diligent tend toward abundance; but everyone who hastens madly is sure to come to poverty . " This implies that prudence and diligence are important in financial management.
Pay your obligations
In Romans 13:7-8, the apostle Paul exhorts believers to pay everyone what they are owed and to owe nothing but love. This reinforces the idea of meeting debts and financial obligations.
It is important to remember that these principles are interpretations based on biblical passages and may vary depending on individual beliefs and perspectives. If you are looking for specific guidance on how to manage your finances and debt based on your religious beliefs, consider speaking with a spiritual leader or financial counselor who understands your values and can provide you with personalized advice.
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