the christian and money - 8. the christian and debt!
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The Christian and Money - 8
The Christian and Debt!
The Problem of Debt• We live in a materialistic
society
• Debt/credit often abused
• 2010 – consumer debt – 2.4 TRILLION; $7800 per person; 33% of it revolving credit!
The Problem of Debt• Credit is “a grant to pay later
for what’s received now. Interest is the fee that the creditor receives and the debtor pays for his grant…
Randy Alcorn, Money Possessions and Eternity
The Problem of Debt• “…Whenever a person goes
into debt, he obtains money he hasn’t earned. In exchange for the money or possessions he presently receives, he mortgages his future time, energies, and assets.”
Randy Alcorn, Money Possessions and Eternity
Principles to Remember•Matt. 6:24 – No one can
serve 2 masters…•Matt. 6:19-21 – Where is
your treasure?•1 John 2:15 – Do not love
the world
Principles to Remember•1 Tim. 6:6 – “Godliness
with contentment is great gain.”•Matt. 6:33 – “Seek first
the kingdom of God…”
The Bible and Debt•Prov. 17:18 “A man
devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friends.”
The Bible and Debt•Prov. 11:15 “He who is
surety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being surety is secure.”
The Bible and Debt•Prov. 22:7, “The rich rules
over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
• NOTE: Why are creditors so willing? Because it is profitable!
The Bible and Debt•Prov. 22:26-27, “Do not be
among those who give pledges, among those who become guarantors for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take your bed from under you?”
The Bible and Debt•Prov. 6:1-5, IF you are in
debt, do what you have to get out of it!
The Bible and Debt•Rom. 13:8, “Owe no one
anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
The Bible and Debt•1 Cor. 7:23, “You were
bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”
Consequences of debt• Do I give as I ought to?1 Cor. 16:1-22 Cor. 9:6-8
• Does my debt hinder my proper giving?
Consequences of debt• Does debt keep me from
being able to do good?Eph. 4:28
• Are there spiritual efforts we would like to support but…?
Consequences of debt• Are my debts the product of
materialism?1 Tim. 6:17, Jas. 4:4
• Do we go into debt for wants? Have we redefined what we “need”?
Consequences of debt• Does debt lead to spiritual
compromise & sin?Psa. 37:21, “The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives.”
• Do I lie because of debt? Avoid phone calls? Is my time compromised?
Consequences of debt• Has debt affected my family?• Debt is rarely an individual
problem in the family!• A leading cause of divorce
and family disputes. Is 2nd job robbing the family?
Consequences of debt• Has debt affected my mental
wellbeing? Matt. 6:25-33• Debt a major cause of stress.• Example: Consider the
husband who feels he is a failure to his family in providing for them.
Consequences of debt• Has debt affected my
spirituality? Matt. 6:25-33• If I am driven by worldliness,
what does that do to my faith? Relationship with God? Is God pleased with me? Am I a good steward?
Dealing with debt• Seek to understand money
and debt!
• It can rule you or you can rule what you have! THINK! Where are your blessings going?
Dealing with debt• Don’t turn “wants” into needs.
• If you have a problem, you have to admit it!
Dealing with debt• If you are guilty of sin with
your money, REPENT!
• Stop “debting”! That is a part of your repentance!
Dealing with debt• Don’t abandon God! He
didn’t get you into trouble, don’t take what belongs to Him! Mal. 3:8
• Resolve to be a wise steward
Dealing with debt• Eliminate your debts! No matter
where you are now, that is your priority. Why? So in the future you CAN do more for Him!
• Budget!
• Pray!
To whom are you a servant?
God or mammon?
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