lesson elevenMARCH 10–16

Debt—A Daily

“Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, ex-cept the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law” (Rom. 13:7, 8, NIV)

Decision

The piles of bills in the background indicate the oppressive feeling of out-of-control debt, while the money “leaking” from the table at the bottom of the image suggests the idea of putting money “in a bag with holes.”

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Introduction

sabbathMARCH 10

The mere mention of the word debt has a way of making us feel uncomfort-able, yet the world of advertising entices us into borrowing. Store and other credit cards; payday, educational, and car loans; mortgages; and many other methods of borrowing are thrust at us. These facilities often catch us unaware, leaving us wrong-footed as we take what is offered, later realizing we could do without it.

This wonderful poem was written by Kate O’Mahoney, a mom attending a Made of Money group: “Debt, hiding in the corner / behind every door / the shadow walking behind you. / Guilt in every spend. / When you’re alone your thoughts turn / to hopes and dreams only / to be tur ned into pound [dollar] signs. / The knock at the door / The final straw.”1

Though some debt is necessary—for example, mortgages, car loans, and educational loans—debts that are initiated by covetousness force us to sign on the dotted line to satiate our instant gratification. This inevitably leads us down the slippery slope of unnecessary material possessions. In fact, the “wise man” becomes abrupt in this context when he refers to the borrower as a slave (Prov. 22:7, NIV). Mel Rees says of debt, “It is a snare of Satan. It lessens self-worth, weakens a person’s faith, and in a word is demoralizing.”2

We have to admit that entering into the lender’s contract is easy, even though we initially comfort ourselves that we have carefully read and understand the small print. Yet, too often, we have to contemplate the strain of the payback. Consequently, the debt advisors’ business is booming. They put forward such strategies as “visualize your debt,” “restructure your debt,” “cut your spending,” and “set and manage your budget.” For these strategies to work, one must first understand the difference between wants and needs—a significant part of a process that leads us away from the lender. This composite approach takes discipline, but it is achievable, if we are to live within our means.

God’s love is such that He does not wait for us to experience the conse-quences of debt without extending to us a caring warning against it first. Surely God’s way steers us away from the discomfort of debt, hence leaving us with peace of mind. Let us, this week, explore the avoidance of the slavery of debt in light of being God’s stewards. ____________

1. Kate O’Mahoney, “Poem About Debt,” Home-Start Westminster, May 24, 2013, http://www .homestartwestminster.org.uk/articles/1647.

2. Mel Rees, Biblical Principles for Giving and Living (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald®, 1995), p. 79.

Stewardship Above SlaveryProv. 22:7

Surely God’s way steers us away from the discomfort of debt, hence leaving us with peace of mind.

Patrick A. Herbert, Birmingham, United Kingdom

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sundayMARCH 11

Unwise debt often results in disastrous consequence for our careers, marriages, children, or assets. Because of His love for us, God, through the Bible, provides wise and free advice on how to manage our resources. He wants us to be good stewards as managers of our spiritual and material resources. He wants us to live debt-free lives.

One definition of a steward is “somebody who manages somebody else’s property, finances, or household.” Stewardship is the activity of a steward and is based on a trusting relationship.

Scripture says: “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law” (Rom. 13:7, 8, NIV).

Disregarding God’s Counsels Leads to Unwise Borrowing and Spending

God’s plan has always been to prosper and enrich His people with spiritual and material possessions. Under His personal supervision, they were to bear witness to His ennobling grace by their holiness of character (see Lev. 19:2; Matt. 5:48); blessings of health (see Exod. 15:26; Deut. 7:13, 15); superior intel-lects, as a result of cooperating with laws of body and mind; and their skill in such things as far ming and craftsmanship (see Exod. 31:2–6; 35:33, 35; Deut. 7:13; 28:2–8; Mal. 3:8–11). Borrowing and spending beyond their means and not honoring debts would be signs that God’s people were not following His coun-sels on good stewardship and receiving the blessings He desired to bestow upon them (see Deut. 28:43–45). God promised to help and bless those who trust Him and follow His counsels (see 1 Cor. 10:13). Those who reject God’s counsels and help would be in danger of poverty and disgrace (see Prov. 13:18).

Good Stewards Do Not Give In to Instant GratificationToo often we give in to the lust of the flesh and lose the good things we

have. Adam and Eve’s inordinate desire for instant elevation to a higher sphere caused them to take what did not belong to them, resulting in their loss of dominion over themselves, stewardship of the world, and much more (see Gen. 3:6, 17–19). Esau, unable to control his appetite for food, lost his birth right (see Gen. 25:34). David’s inability to control his sexual desires caused him to lose his honor and integrity (see 2 Sam. 11:2–4). Those who

Gen. 3:6, 17–19; Deut. 28:12–14; Prov. 14:15; 22:7; Rom. 13:7, 8

Our Divine Stewardship Advisor

Logos

Stewardship is the activity of a steward and is based on a trusting relationship.

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are controlled by the flesh cannot please God (see Rom. 8:8). In fact, follow-ing the belly and the flesh can lead to our destruction (see Phil. 3:19). In order to be stewards that God can trust, we must manage our natural desires, which demands self-control (see 1 Cor. 9:25). Through Christ’s earthly life and ministry, God demonstrated that by His enabling grace, human beings who govern their lives by His Word are able to be good stewards of their minds and bodies (see Matt. 4:3–10; Titus 3:7). The restoration of steward-ship is an important part of the good news of the gospel.

Good Stewards Live Within Their MeansDivine wisdom causes us to consider the future and not to live just for the

present (see Prov. 14:15). A foolish person spends without thought for tomor-row (see Prov. 21:20). Wise people make careful plans and save money and other essential resources for their education, careers, marriages, children, and retirement. Counting the cost of our plans and living within our means enables us to save for the future. We need to be sure that we receive suf-ficient love from the Holy Spirit (see Rom. 5:5) to pay God the love debt we owe Him (see Rom. 13:7, 8). Christ and His kingdom must occupy first place in our lives (see Matt. 6:33; Mark 12:30). A life in Christ enables us to control our resources (see 1 Tim. 6:6–8) and give God what belongs to Him.

Good Stewards Say No to Debt

We belong to God. It is He who created us and placed us in His world. It is He who redeemed us by His marvelous love and blood. He has made us stewards of ourselves, the world, and His love. He has promised that if we allow Him to take His rightful place in our lives, He will lead us by His Word and the Holy Spirit. He will bless us and cause us to prosper. Though in all prudence we may on occasions take out a loan, it may not be due to our own folly that we end up in poverty. Unwise debt and poverty misrepresents God as our Wise Stewardship Advisor (see Deut. 28:12–14). The action of taking on financial debt in order to guarantee someone else’s loan is stupid (see Prov. 17:18, CEV; 22:26). Those who borrow are often slaves to money lend-ers (see Prov. 22:7, CEV).

Good Stewards Invest in a Future With GodGod gives us knowledge and power to get wealth (see Deut. 8:18; Prov.

13:11). He has taught us to be as industrious as ants and to save carefully for the future (see Prov. 6:6–8; 21:5); to be generous and give to those in need (see Eccles. 11:1, 2, The Message; Luke 12:33). Above all, He has taught us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matt. 6:33), for it will not profit us to gain the whole world and at the end lose our souls (see Matt. 16:26). Our Divine Stewardship Advisor’s directive is to consider not “the things which are seen, but . . . the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18, NKJV). We must keep our minds and focus on the things of God and His kingdom. Good stewards invest in a future with God because they love Him and understand that nothing in this world lasts forever.

Elliott A. Williams, Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

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mondayMARCH 12

“A steward identifies himself with his master. He accepts the responsibili-ties of a steward, and he must act in his master’s stead, doing as his master would do were he presiding. His master’s interests become his. The position of a steward is one of dignity, because his master trusts him.”1

“To a greater or less degree, all are placed in charge of the talents of their Lord. The spiritual, mental, and physical ability, the influence, station, pos-sessions, affections, sympathies, all are precious talents to be used in the cause of the Master for the salvation of souls for whom Christ died.”2

“In commissioning His disciples to go ‘into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,’ Christ assigned to men the work of extending the knowledge of His grace. But while some go forth to preach, He calls upon others to answer His claims upon them for offerings, with which to support His cause in the earth. He has placed means in the hands of men, that His divine gifts may flow through human channels in doing the work appointed us in saving our fellow men. This is one of God’s ways of exalting man. It is just the work that man needs; for it will stir the deepest sympathies of his heart, and call into exercise the highest capabilities of the mind.”3

“God gives to every man his work, and He expects corresponding returns, according to their various trusts. He does not require the increase from ten talents of the man to whom He has given only one talent. He does not expect the man of poverty to give alms as the man who has riches. He does not expect of the feeble and suffering, the activity and strength which the healthy man has. The one talent, used to the best account, God will accept ‘accord-ing to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.’ ”4

“God desires us to choose the heavenly in place of the earthly. He opens before us the possibilities of a heavenly investment. He would give encour-agement to our loftiest aims, security to our choicest treasure. He declares, ‘I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir’ (Isaiah 13:12). When the riches that moth devours and rust corrupts shall be swept away, Christ’s followers can rejoice in their heavenly treasure, the riches that are imperishable.” 5 ____________

1. Ellen G. White, Counsels on Stewardship, p. 113. 2. Ibid., p. 117.3. Ibid., p. 15.4. Ibid., p. 119.5. Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 374.

1 Chron. 29:14God Offers Security Through Stewardship

Lily Mclay, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom

“A steward identifies himself with his master.”

Testimony

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Albert A. C. Waite, Berkshire, United Kingdom

tuesdayMARCH 13

We are told that stewardship can teach us how to live as God would have us live. The popular children’s song starts: “Jesus loves me this I know, / for the Bible tells me so.” I am of the view that stewardship has its foundation in the love of Jesus through faith in the reliability of the Bible, which informs me that Jesus loves me.

One evening in the 1950s, eight-year-old Mandrake sat beside his father on the verandah of their country home in Jamaica and sang, “Jesus loves me this I know, / for the Bible tells me so . . .”

His father stopped him before he sang any further and asked, “How do you know Jesus loves you?”

“The Bible tells me so,” Mandrake responded without hesitation. “Very good. The Bible also tells you that you should pay your tithe. Would

you like to start paying tithe?”“But I don’t have plenty money to put in the envelope,” Mandrake replied.“The Bible doesn’t say to always put plenty money in the envelope. It

says pay ten percent of what you get. So when you get one shilling [twelve imperial pence], you pay penny farthing for tithe.” Mandrake listened in-tently. “Do you understand that?” Mandrake’s father enquired.

“Yes Dadda. And because I love Jesus, when I get any money I will put my tithe into the envelope myself and drop it in the basket at church.”

Today, the professional Mandrake still pays his tithe. He said it has not always been easy, particularly when he studied in a foreign country, but he had faith that since Jesus loves him, he had to love Jesus and do what He asked him to do. “I believed that God would keep His promise in Malachi 3:10, and He has. I have never been broke,” Mandrake explains.

Mandrake said, “The ninety percent left after paying tithe went far be-cause during hard times I disciplined myself and spent only on my needs, which allowed me adequate scope to save and invest wisely. God has cer-tainly poured out His blessings on me so I could be generous to others—both in deeds and kind.”

Mandrake was just eight years old when he learned that the relationship between God’s love and faith in the Bible would have a positive influence as he lived his life for God. How many young children in our churches are aware that an offering should be given because of their love for God? How many know that stewardship teaches them how to live their lives in har-mony with what God wants for them?

Stewardship Teaches Us to Live God’s Way

Mal. 3:10

Evidence

“I have never been broke.”

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wednesdayMARCH 14

Today’s culture heavily implies that our happiness, success, and the quality of our lives are based on having the perfect self-image, an abundance of possessions, and building up a plethora of pleasurable experiences. Our ability to buy now and pay later feeds our desire for instant gratification.

True stewardship equips us to fight Satan’s temptations and makes us take action to avoid instant self-gratification as we seek to gratify God. Here are three steps for overcoming “temp-TAKE-tion.”

Take note. Be ruthlessly honest in recognizing and identifying the idols in your life that are consuming your attention and time and that cause you to shift your focus from Jesus. Remember that true and lasting happiness is found only in Jesus. Ask God to reveal to you who you really are in Him and expose the false perceptions that cause you to seek gratification elsewhere.

Take control. Boldly confess and positively speak the Word out loud like Jesus did (see Matt. 4:3–10). Remember, when you resist the devil he will leave (James 4:7). Find verses that speak to your situation and claim the promises. When you speak God’s Word out loud, not only does God hear it, but the angels hear it and go to work in your behalf (see Ps. 103:20). Also know that His Word cannot return to Him void (Isa. 55:10, 11).

Take action. Surrender the situation to God. Look to Him as your Source and ask Him to help you. He is big enough to handle any situation. He will empower you to make the right choice(s) in the dilemma you are facing if you trust Him instead of your own feelings (see Prov. 3:5, 6). Be grateful for what you already have. God will give you the right perspective on your self-image, money, possessions, and experiences.

By taking these three steps, you are placing God and His kingdom first because you trust that your need will be provided for (Matt. 6:33).

REACT1. What influences your spending habits?2. Next time you are faced with a situation that can bring instant self-

gratification, ask yourself the following: (a) What will the implications/con-sequences of my actions be? (b) How will they honor God? (c) Can I make better use of my resources (money, time, etc.) for a higher purpose?

Matt. 4:3–10; Rom. 8:8; 1 John 2:16

Lead Me Not Into Temp-TAKE-tion

Gina Miller, Nottingham, United Kingdom

Our ability to buy now and pay later feeds our desire for instant gratification.

How-to

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Itumeleng Osupeng, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom

thursdayMARCH 15

As Christians, we need to manage our money wisely. The Bible is crys-tal clear about Christians not being capable of serving both God and money (see Matt. 6:24). The way we spend our money reflects who we serve.

First things first. Money for tithes and freewill offerings should be set aside before we incur any expenses (see Matt. 6:33). The world finds fulfillment in material things, but the relationship of Christians with God should be mirrored in the way we spend our money (see Prov. 27:19).

One can find oneself in debt purely because of one’s own choice or because of circumstances out of one’s control. Examples include student loans, loss of a job, long-term sickness, and the death of a loved one. In all circumstances, one needs to take full responsibility and own up to the situation and pay the debt. It is important that the Christian gets his or her life in order, owns up to the reality of the situation, and takes remedial ac-tion. We should not come up with excuses or blame others for the choices that we make, and we should not turn a blind eye to debts (see Ps. 37:21). If we do, we put the name of the God, whom we profess to serve, into dis-repute. When, as Christians, we don’t pay back what we owe, we deny our faith, and it may get in the way of other people accepting the truth that we profess to believe. We need to commit our finances to God in prayer, and as a church we should not be judgmental but show love to those who find themselves in debt, by offering advice, guidance, and signposting to orga-nizations that are best placed to deal with debt matters (see Rom. 15:1).

As Christians, we will always be indebted to our Lord Jesus Christ, who paid the price, took our place on the cross, and died for our sins. We need to live lives that are pleasing to Him as an appreciation of what He has done for us.

REACT

1. Is it easier to part with our money when we spend it on ourselves in-stead of giving to advance God’s work?

2. Does paying a debt seem to be urgent and, therefore, take priority over tithe paying?

3. When we don’t pay our tithe, does it accrue into debt? And does God want us to return a lump sum to make up for what we did not pay?

Own Up and Act Wisely—A Biblical Perspective

Prov. 14:15; Matt. 6:33;

Luke 14:27–30; 1 Tim. 6:8

Opinion

The way we spend our money reflects who we serve.

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fridayMARCH 16

CONCLUDEAt the end of the day, debt is a debilitating disease that thousands of

people face on a chronic basis. Being debt-free has almost become a phenomenon in our entitled, fast-paced, lack-of-delayed-gratification so-ciety. Many people find themselves enslaved to debt and therefore con-stantly think about money or the lack thereof. Jesus wants to free us from our debt, so let’s come up with a plan to become debt-free at last.

CONSIDER• Setting a goal for your debt repayment plan. Try using a cash system

for purchases instead of a credit card. • Drawing a thermometer and marking your debt in increments up to

the total. Color it in red every time that you pay some off and reward yourself at each level.

• Making a dream wall of things you want to buy or do and people you want to help when you are debt-free.

• Doing a budget for your household so that you are living below your means.

• Reading books on finance and money management. • Booking an appointment with a financial advisor. • Mentoring a young person on finances, living debt-free, and the im-

portance of paying God first through our tithes and offerings.

CONNECTDeuteronomy 8:18; 28:12; Psalm 37:21; Ecclesiastes 5:5; 1 John 2:16. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 206.Ellen G. White, Counsels on Stewardship, p. 259.Dave Ramsey, More Than Enough: The Ten Keys to Changing Your Fi-

nancial Destiny.

Rom. 13:7, 8Slavery to Debt, or Freedom From It?

Michelle Solheiro, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Exploration