WHO IS GOING TO PAY THE BILLS?

Introduction

Most Christians have never been trained in financial matters. They have not the first clue about budgeting, savings, investing etc. My parents never taught me how to handle money. This is because they did not really understand it all that well. We were taught that if you want something you get and pay for it by debt i.e. making payments. We were never taught to live strictly on a cash basis. We have thus been forced to be slaves. It is better to be free than to have possessions that you do not fully own until completely paid for. When you pay on the installment method, you do not really own the property until it has been paid in full. Circumstances could force one who is in debt to not be able to repay their just debts.

Application

To properly understand the Bible, we need to use what is known as applied theology.

Psalm 37:21 reads, "The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth." The reason why an individual who borrows and does repay the debt is wicked is because they are thieves at heart. They have received goods and services without paying for them. They have gotten something for nothing and they probably did not really intend to pay it back. This leads us to the legal term known as bankruptcy. When you owe more than you possess, you are effectively bankrupt, if your creditors should make you pay in full what you owe them. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines "bankruptcy" as "The state of being bankrupt or insolvent; inability to pay all debts." People can and do make financial mistakes. Too many live from paycheck to paycheck and if they should lose their job, they are not able to continue to pay on the debt they have accumulated.

We have the trap of easy credit especially credit cards. On the credit card issuer’s side, you have greed and on the those utilizing credit cards, there is covetousness. Buy now and pay later. This leads to getting oneself overextended very quickly, especially if the borrower is using more than one credit card. People in America are living on a mountain of debt. The year of 2002 saw a record number of bankruptcy. The largest business failures occurred in this past year. Every time these companies were sitting on mounds of debt. Romans 13:8 says, "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." Biblical wisdom says not to be in debt for anything. This is wise because none of us can accurately predict the future. By not going into debt, we stay free from situations in life that would render it impossible to repay.

To keep from being a thief, it is better to keep your financial house in order, then one will not be tempted to steal. Debt is a prelude to potential theft. When people get into financial trouble, the temptation of stealing becomes very pronounced. People do not think thoroughly in this kind of situation. They become gamblers willing to risk everything just to keep up with their debt payments or to live an extravagant lifestyle. Stealing is stealing no matter what form it may take. Many an individual has ruined their lives through being in excessive debt or living beyond their means and stealing to pay debt or continue in the indulgent lifestyle. It is just not worth it.

Proverbs 6:1-5 reads, "My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. 4Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler." The Proverbs contains much wisdom. The above verses are wisdom regarding being a surety. Webster’s renders "suretiship" as "The state of being surety; the obligation of a person to answer for another, and make good any debt or loss which may occur from another’s delinquency." In other words, if you co-sign for another’s debt and they do not live up to their obligations, you are stuck with paying for the dead beat. The one that took out the debt is still responsible to repay, but the surety is looked to make good on the loan. Wisdom says that if this is what you have done, then get free from your obligation at whatever price is necessary. Surety is slavery and Christians are called to be free.

Conclusion

Who is going to pay the bills should you die prematurely? It is wise not to leave others after your demise with all your debt. Better to have nothing and no debt, than to have everything purchased on credit and having to make payments. Some short term debt may be necessary at times. However, make sure it is very short term. Excessive debt can and does lead to an individuals becoming thieves. Proverbs 22:7 is still true today, "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." The word servant here really is slave. The borrower obeys the dictates of the lender. He is not free but in bondage. If in debt, remember you are obligated to pay your debts until paid off. For the Christian, bankruptcy is never an option. Stay out of debt and avoid debt like the plague. Debt is a spiritual problem. It is based upon a covetous heart. Remember the commandment says, "Thou shalt not steal."