Many in the last three decades or more have developed a life-style of spending more than they can afford. Yes, I know that the economy is geared to people living off their credit, and yes, I know “everyone is doing it.” No, I do not think it is the bank’s fault for lending us money that we cannot afford to pay back. We are responsible for our decision of making a loan. We alone are responsible for our spending and paying back what we borrowed.
In many cases, it may be necessary to borrow money to purchase a “need.” However, there is such a thing as “responsible borrowing and lending.” Here are a few biblical principles that, if heeded, may keep many from the financial failure that could easily happen to them if these principles are ignored:
- The Bible does teach that it is acceptable to loan money and things. The good lender should show mercy and kindness to whom he has lent.
“A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.” Psalm 112:5
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17
“Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” Luke 6:30
“Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” Matthew 5:42 Also: Psalm 112:5, Proverbs 19:17 - A godly person has a responsibility to pay back what he has borrowed. It is a wicked person that does not pay back a loan!
“The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.” Psalms 37:21 - When we give our word to pay back money we have borrowed, we have an obligation to pay it back. Breaking our word is lying. We are accountable for the promises we make! It is our testimony, especially if we are Christians, to do what we say.
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,” Proverbs 6:16-17
Covenant breaking (promise breaking) is listed as a sin in Romans 1:31. - When times are tough, and it does not seem possible to pay the bills, turn to God first, not the banks. He can, if it is truly a need, help you!
“Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:24-25
“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4 - When a person does not pay back what he borrows, he is keeping what does not belong to him.
- When you do borrow, you can lose some freedom.
“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7 - When you do borrow, do not get in a situation where your freedom is collateral for a debt.
“Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.” Proverbs 22:26 (“Surety” can be one that is legally bound to pay off a debt. In some cases, if the debt is not paid, a person may be bound to pay off the debt by his being in slavery.) - Some debt may be accumulated because of one’s coveting. Coveting is a sin (Exodus 20:17). It is wicked in God’s eyes because one may not be happy with what God has allowed him to have. A person may lust for what another has. That coveting may lead him to spend what he should not have spent. He may end up with payments that are more than he can afford. The financial hardship may be the consequences of his sin. It may be a reaping of what was sown.
- If we borrow something, and it is damaged or dies in our possession; it is the borrower’s responsibility to restore to the lender what was lent. The borrower needs to fix what was damaged.
“And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.” Exodus 22:14 - If you are responsible for making a person poor, do not charge him interest!
“If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.” Exodus 22:25 - If you are trying to help a person who is having financial difficulties, do not make a profit on his hardship.
“And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.” Leviticus 25:35-37
Having a “little” may not be such a bad thing! Maybe the little that God has allowed you to have is enough for this time in your life. Just because borrowing is a possibility for you, does not necessarily mean it is God’s will for your life at this time.
“A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” Psalm 37:16
“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.” Pro. 15:16
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” I Timothy 6:6
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Phil. 4:11
I only pray to move in the country as for borrowing no as I live below poverty and could not pay back if I did so I don’t . all I have goes to keep a roof over my head So … to borrow or get credit no I have in the past when kids were young to keep them warm and fed and a roof over their heads but now no . I think money is the root of all evil but one has to have it just to live .
Bro. Brinkworth,
As a CPA, I have seen first hand the results of being constantly in debt beyond one’s means. Unfortunately, very few, if any, see it for what it is…a spending problem not an income problem. They exercise no self control over their spending. They are part of a generation that demands instant gratification and are unwilling to work and save to achieve their wants and desires. Many will try to justify their debt by saying that they only have debt on things that are necessities such as a house and car. However, the truth of the matter is that they are living in a house that they cannot afford and driving a car they cannot afford. True, they must have shelter and a means of getting to work, but they do NOT have to have a 3500 square foot house and a brand new car. It takes years of self discipline, self denial, and hard work to earn and save enough to finally afford those types of things.
One last point, as Christians we are called to be Christ-like. Christ was faced with the same temptation of instant gratification to obtain worldly treasures and fulfill worldly covetousness. Satan took him to the top of the mountain to show Him all the world and promised Christ He could have all the earthly treasures instantly if He would only bow to Satan. Of course, Christ did not give in to sin. He rebuked the devil. As Christians, that is what our response must be as well. Do not bow to Satan and enter into his bondage of debt in order to have today what you desire. Rebuke the devil and his temptations. Living without those desires and within your means will bring you happiness and peace because you will be living according to God’s will.
Thanks, Bro. Brinkworth, for this good and much needed teaching. I hope you will continue this series as you planned. It is needed in this day and hour more than ever.
Blessings.
That was good feed-back, coming from a person that sees people’s errors on a financial level. Thank you very much for your insight.
Bro Brinkworth,
This is teaching that is missing in our Churches and Christian Culture today. It is one aspect of worldliness that is totally respectable in many of our circles… One man said that covetousness is the most respectable and acceptable sin among Christians today. Another Sister said… Borrowing presumes about tomorrow, that your situation, etc.. will be the same later as it is today, God makes no such guarantee. It is a form of gambling.
A man told me recently that he felt like the spiritual decline among our Sisters was largely due to the influence and access to things such as social media that make our Sisters feel like they need to act a certain way, have certain things, or live a worldly lifestyle to be accepted, while years ago, they could have cared less that they were accepted…… this puts pressure to live a lifestyle that cannot be afforded by one persons salary, and often 2…leading to serial debt and bondage.
One of the greatest gateways to blessing in my life has been to get out of debt. It has allowed us to be blessed and bless others in a way we could not have imagined otherwise.
Lastly, I want to repeat an adage of a local family that are noted for wisdom with finances. “A poor man has poor ways”. That conjures an image of some guy with no shoes because he is too poor to buy them, but I think it may be referring to the young couple that choose the Coach purse and AR15 and Florida vacation over living within their means. Their choices keep them poor…. poor in finance and poor in spirit. You cannot have total victory without victory over financial temptation.
The key, as you said, is living within your means! Much of the world makes a living off of covetousness. We do not have to succumb to temptation to get all our wants. In many cases, if we just “wait on the Lord” He will provide all our needs and many of our wants. But, too many have to have it NOW! (and they pay for it)
Many people don’t realize that not paying God back with your tithes and offerings is the same as not paying your creditors back!
You’re stealing from God and it’s a sin!
Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob (or steal, not pay back) God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
Great devotion!
I was planning to run a several day study on tithing in the near future……