I've been thinking a lot about money, debt, savings and investing. The Bible says so much about good financial management but it seems that I've never before saw it... or at least cared to stop and think about it.
Romand 13:8 "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."
Proverbs 22:7 "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."
Exodus 22:25 "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest."
Matthew 25:27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
Deuteronomy 15:1 At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.
Proverbs 22:26Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;
Luke 16:8"The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
There are more... but that pretty much covers some of what's been bugging me. My wife asked me tonight, "what's the big deal about no debt? Doesn't everyone want to be financially independant?" I think she captured what I've been feeling... apathy. Along with everyone, I want to be financially independant. I want to be able to retire comfortably, give generously, and bless my children and grand children. But for some reason, like everyone else, I'm not convinced it's a possiblity. I don't earn enough. I can't just pay off my mortgage or car loan. I don't live extravegantly as it is - so where do I start? It's easier to just believe that debt is a reality for young families in America. Besides, compared to most people, we're doing well; we have no credit card debt, we only have one car payment, we have a healthy retirement account, and our home is appreciating well. So what's the big deal about no debt?
But something in me has been increasingly uncomfortable with settling for that. I'm still not sure I know what to do about it... but at least I know I want to do something.
Again, nothing profound or creative... just random thoughts of me.
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2 comments:
Luke 12:16-21 is another verse that I always think of when thinking/talking money from a biblical perspective. My opinion, "Finiancial independance" that you can do/aquire/acomplish on your own is void of God and falls into the American self-help Christianity. Thank GOD the bible is not a 12 steps to financial freedom book, rather a call to loose our lives and follow a radical new way/King
.... with that, not being a slave to money/lenders is a clear biblical point; with the reason being so we are free to follow the King no matter what the call/cost. That way when the following happens you can respond:
Jesus: "Pete, go to South bend and plant a church with keith and get paid nothing for one year"
I'll be ready when he calls.
Until then... I'm eaking by in Cincinnati. How cool would that be if God made that happen!?!
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