I shouldn’t have to write a third part to this series, but I live in 21st Century America. Spirituality and money are deeply and inseparably intertwined; how you earn money; how you give money; and one more, how you store money.
The Money Equation:
Money Earned = Money Stored + Money Spent
Money Stored can be a negative quantity, debt. What is your relationship with debt? Do you believe what God has to say on the subject? God says debt is part of the curse. God says the ability to lend money to others is part of the blessing.
God tells us that, “The borrower is slave to the lender.” Everything in this world (including your own flesh) is telling you a different story. The world wants you to be a debt slave. Our national debt is approaching $18.0 Trillion, guaranteeing that all of us, our children, and our grandchildren will be debt slaves. Personal debt carried by individuals is closing in on $16.7 Trillion. $1.3 Trillion of that number is student debt. Our young people are beginning their adult lives carrying a serious debt load. The Government, corporations, and our own lusts encourage us to buy houses, cars, techno-toys, and clothing we can not afford.
“Mastercard, I’m bored.”
The Keynesian theory of economics espoused by the Federal Reserve Bank is printing money overtime.
As you can see there is no shortage of money in the economy. That money was created, at taxpayer expense, then given to the banks at artificially low interest rates. The purpose of this action was to encourage you borrow the money and spend it on something, like a new house or car.
Financial institutions of all sorts, Government programs that encourage or guarantee mortgage loans and student loans, and every commercial you see or hear is encouraging you to become a debt slave.
God tells us that debt is a curse. When the very wealthy are asked what financial advice they would give to ordinary Americans. They always seem to start by admonishing the listener to stay out of debt. The power of compound interest can work for you or it can work against you.
Why do we beg banks and credit card companies for the opportunity to be cursed?
Let me ask you a trick question. Do you want to be sick? Of course not; no one wants to be sick. Sickness is not a blessing. It is part of the same list that includes debt as part of the curse. Do you want to visit wherever the Government stores samples of infectious diseases so that you can be smitten by the botch of Egypt? Then why in the name of God do you go out of your way to enmeshed in unnecessary debt?
Signing a loan is a spiritual act. You are swearing an oath before God and man. God, as well as the repo-man is serious about your oath. If you are a Christian, it is your duty to fulfill your vows to the best of your ability.
Ecclesiastes 5:5
It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
Psalm 37:21
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;
Fortunately I live in America. Most loans (with the notable exception of student loans) can be discharged in bankruptcy court. In biblical times you and your children could be sold as a slave to repay your loans.
God also has advice for those who are fortunate enough to be in a position to loan money to others. This subject is covered in the Old and New Testament.
Exodus 22:25
If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.
Luke 6:34-35
And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
I find it interesting that both sides of the money equation are covered in exhaustive detail in the pages of Scripture. Money is spiritual. How we handle it is a measure of our faith. How we relate to money is reflection of what is in our hearts.
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