Jesus’ Terrible Financial AdviceНамуна

Debt

Debt is a notorious hope-sucker. Simply put, debt puts a dollar sign on how much of your future you spent in the past.

This is why Christian financial planners spend so much time telling you to get out of debt.  

But here is a huge “news flash” for you: With over 1,300 passages on wealth, the Bible is virtually silent on debt, at least to the borrower. Only ½ of one proverb tells us, “… the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). Since no one wants to be a slave, enough said. 

The Bible, however, has considerably more to say to the lender, such as those whom have been entrusted with money are instructed to use it mercifully. Nothing drives this home like Jesus’ parable about the servant who, after being forgiven a fortune by the king, fails to pass that same mercy on to another servant. Instead, he chokes him and throws him into prison for a relatively minor debt (Matthew 18:21-25). Jesus tells this parable to Peter, who like us, probably thought he was being surprisingly generous by offering to forgive his brother up to seven times. But Jesus makes it very clear that this is just the start. Jesus’ teaching echoes many other encounters people had with him, like the woman who, having lived a life of sin, came to him at a Pharisee’s house and wet his feet with her tears, then kissed them and wiped them with her hair (Luke 7:36-48). Her response to Jesus was the exact opposite of the inhospitable Pharisee, who offered no welcome to his guest. Why? Because the one who has been forgiven little loves little. But the one who has been forgiven much loves much.

Where does that leave us? Christians should be the most merciful people on the planet!

So what if you’re one of the millions of people who are trapped by debt? I have great news for you. God, not money, is still your master. 

Money might dictate when you serve, or where you serve, but it can never dictate who you serve.

Whatever your financial position, find comfort in this: “…the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good they do, whether … slave or free” (Ephesians 6:8).