Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8
The Bible does not forbid debt, but it does not encourage it.
The act of man not to pay back without thought of conscience, is a sin.
In Matthew 18:23, Jesus tells Peter the parable of the unforgiving servant. This debtor owed his king 10,000 talents. The king forgives the slave’s debt, but the debtor then finds a man who owes him 100 day’s wages. He chokes the man and then throws him in prison until he fully pays the debt
Debt has become a severe problem in this day and age.
Some have made it a chronic habit, and will deliberately seat on someone else’s finances, with the intention of not paying back.
And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”
2 Kings 4:7
There are many reasons why people borrow money.
There are also reasons why they DO NOT want to pay back.
There are always reasons why people ought to borrow.
It builds credit history for businesses,
It builds integrity.
It builds long term collaboration for conglomerates like banks, businesses, credit unions, savings and loans.
Romans 4:4 says Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned.
Before a borrower can be loaned a financial sum, there are 5 Cs to watch out for character, capacity, capital, collateral, and conditions.
Some people may have financial difficulties and may not have the means to repay their debts.
Whereas, some just have financial difficulties that they have not been able get out of.
The word of Yeshua says in Revelations 3:17 says, If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies, the owner not being with it, he shall make full restitution.
The Bible is clear that when something is borrowed, it MUST be paid back. Someone refusing to pay reveals a wicked heart.
The Bible says in Deuteronomy 15:6 if you are faithful in obeying God’s commandments, you will be blessed and able to lend, and not borrow.
On the flip side, Matthew 5:42 states that “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you, do not turn away.
We ought not to turn away borrowers because some actually do borrow for real need.
Lenders must learn to take surety for what they gave out to avoid situations that may lead to prison or death.
Borrowing without having a sure way to pay violates another principle, the principle of surety..
Afterall, financial institutions always require collateral from borrowers.
Proverbs 22:26 Do not become guarantors for debts.
Be careful who you act as guarantor for.
Save your relationships.
Lastly, there is no ‘friendship’ when we borrow.
Try to pay back on time.
Your lender needs what was lent out.
Notify your lender of changes in agreement.
Inform a family member to avoid embarrassment.
Do not be an ingrate.
It takes a lot to lend hard earned money.
Happy Sunday 😊
God bless and keep you.
May we be content in the little that we have.
Stay safe as always
Peace and Love, FTA