Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
This passage of scripture shows us how far from God's original ideal we have drifted, as it pertains to owing and being trapped in debt. The above verses of scripture teach us that as Christians, we should avoid as far as possible, the undesirable situation of being in subjection to any debtor, including the government, the IRS, credit card companies, other people, and loan sharks of every stripe. When by the grace of God we can be debt free, we should step up to the plate and make the necessary concerted efforts to get the credit card monkey from off our backs. The reason for this Biblical counsel is because the borrower is servant to the lender, and when debt spins out of control for any reason, we can be put in some very embarrassing situations, which can potentially bring reproach upon the cause of Christ. Let's read:
Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Proverbs 18:23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Furthermore, it was never the ideal will of God that His people should be mired in debt, for when this occurs, it throws a shadow of doubt upon the prosperity that should attend the faithful adherence to God's wise instructions, and thus, through a mismanagement of resources on our part, we give the enemies of righteousness reason to blaspheme the name of God. If anyone needed to borrow, it should be the unbeliever and not the faithful child of God, for the Lord has given mega promises in His word, if adhered to, will bring forth many blessings so abundant that there would not be room enough to receive them. Let's read:
Deuteronomy 15:5 Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day. 6 For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.
A very great departure from God's ideal will has obviously taken place, for there are millions of us as Christians who are now saddled with credit card debt up to our throats, and we tremble at those calls from creditors, demanding payment for goods, loans, and services rendered, which we took on credit, but are unable to pay back in a timely manner. It is true that there are certain situations, and necessary items that are out of the reach of the average person, like houses and lands, and education, and motor cars; and so, in order to procure these needed products or services, we may have to take them on credit.
However, in such cases, a well-thought out plan for repayment should be put in place by the borrower, and wherever possible, we should wipe out the debt as quickly as possible, so as not to run the risk of defaulting for any reason. Counting the cost of an item or project is not a manifestation of a lack of faith, but on the contrary shows that we exercise an intelligent faith in God, by not presuming He will deliver us out of debts which we incurred without proper thought or consideration. Sober evaluation of the cost of anything before purchase is actually a godly principle which is enjoined in the word of God, and for good reason. Let's read:
Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
In our own personal experiences, let us make certain that stern efforts are made to rid ourselves of all debt where applicable, for when this is achieved by the grace of God, a very great victory would have been won, and the freedom that comes with it will result in peace of mind and contentedness. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls on us to live soberly and righteously in this present age, so that the world may know what it really means to be a follower of the Lord Jesus. Let's read:
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
May God help us to pay off all our debts, so that we be not trapped in a vicious cycle when the mark of the beast is instituted. God bless!