What the Bible Says About Debt

God Bless you all.

This posting should be of interest to those, who truly wish to follow Gods written word concerning practical issues in our lives.

For nearly a year and a half now, I have heard repeated messages on the radio and online from various sources about the importance of managing our finances according to Gods word.

After hearing several similar messages from various sources on the radio and online within a week, I realized that the Lord was trying to get my attention, so I decided to look into things a bit further. 
Acts 17:11 reminds us to search the scriptures to determine truth in what we hear, so I did.

I was amazed to find that finances are specifically mentioned in the Bible more than 250 times. 

I believe that many Christians are lacking in these basic Biblical truths and may unknowingly be violating Gods word. How can we as believers prosper in all ways, if we do not do His will? And how can we do His will if we do not know His word?

Perhaps if we took the time to carefully read and follow Gods practical word/advice, we would stay out of a lot of trouble, loss and heartache.

Perhaps these scriptures will enlighten you and most of all, help you.

Most of us, (believers), understand about not coveting, not stealing, giving to the Lords work, etc., but only in general terms.

I have to wonder how many Christians actually consult their Bibles for detailed guidance on practical financial issues ?

I plan to do more comprehensive studies on Biblical finances in the days to come, but for now, I will simply give you folks a simple topic and list some scriptures related to it.

This is a list of straight forward, simple scriptures that no one should have trouble understanding.

As I get a chance to put more of these lists together on various financial Biblical principles, I will post them, along with web links for further study.

So today, lets deal with DEBT and BORROWING:

Proverbs 22:7   "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender." 

Romans 13:8   "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." 

Proverbs 22:26–27    "Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts; if you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your         bed from under you?" 

Proverbs 17:18   "A man void of understanding gives pledge, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbour."

Proverbs 11:15    "He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being surety is secure." 

Psalm 37:21    "The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives." 

Proverbs 6:1–5    "My son, if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourself; plead with your friend. Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler." 

Nehemiah 5:3   "There were also some who said, 'We have mortgaged our lands and vineyards and houses, that we might buy grain because of the famine.'" 

Deuteronomy 15:6   "For the Lord your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. "

Deuteronomy 28:44-45   "He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenest not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee".

It's obvious that God is against his people being in debt.  Not only that, God refers to being in debt and borrowing, in the form of a curse in Deut:28:44-45.

Being in debt is always referred to in the negative sense throughout scripture. Nowhere in the Bible does God ask us to get into debt for any reason whatsoever.

To God, "debt" is a four letter word.

I do not claim that this is a complete list, so I plan to research more and see what else I can come up with.

I would encourage you all to look into these topics & scriptures deeper for yourselves. Know your scriptures & rebuke the devil.

Hosea 4:6 tells us, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children."NKJV.

God Bless you all and keep up the good fight against satan and all his deceiving host, wherever they may lie in wait for you.

In our Lords Service,
B.H.

More to come..................