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?