Many who find themselves deep in debt may be tempted to look for an easy way out. Bankruptcy or refusing to pay the debts you owe may seem an easy solution to their financial difficulties.
What does the Bible say about debt?
The Bible warns against the danger of debt, encourages and praises avoidance of debt, but does not explicitly forbid all kinds of debt.
- The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave. [Proverbs 22:7]
- Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. [Romans 13:8]
If you take on debt, the Bible also has a lot to say about how to handle it. Pay the debt you take on… do not default.
- The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives. [Psalm 37:21]
- Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. [Romans 13:7]
- “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” [Luke 6:31]
If you do find yourself in a position where you cannot repay, you should be humble and repentant and change your lifestyle to avoid such an outcome in the future. If you agreed to a loan agreement, take responsibility personally. You agreed to it. Don’t just blame the person or business who loaned you the money.
Similarly, we are not as lenders supposed to take advantage of those seeking a loan by crushing them with large interest payments… knowing that they will then never be able to repay. Better not to loan the money in the first place than to make the problem worse for those seeking help through a loan.
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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .