July 28, 2023

DEBT AND SLAVERY

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

Proverbs 22:7 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

How does the Bible view debt? The answer is very clear, if you borrow money, you are the servant of the lender. As I write these words, I get a mental picture of Dave Ramsey with his large chains dragging them across the stage and admonishing his audience that if you are in debt you in slavery. You are a slave to the person you owe money. For many people in the American culture, debt is normal. To them it is normal to have thousands of dollars on credit cards. How could they have that great vacation without a credit card? How could they get that new card without monthly payments? How could they afford that new pair of shoes without the credit card? We have bought into the lie that borrowing is okay. Everyone else is doing it so it can’t be that bad. But we must decide if we want to allow our society or culture to determine what is right and wrong. Do we believe the Bible when it tells us “The borrower is servant to the lender?” Some studies indicate the average American spends about $1200 for every $1000 they make. That is a recipe for financial failure as well as emotional turmoil. No wonder so many people are living in anxiety, fear, and worry. They know that one protracted sickness without pay could destroy their life. If we want to enjoy the prosperity God desires for His children, we need to decide if we will allow Biblical principles to be our guide. We must decide if we will trust God and choose to tithe, be generous, and live within our means. We will not develop a lifestyle that demands credit cards to stay solvent.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit please help me to be a good steward of what You have given to me. Help me to reject the pressure of this society to live an extravagant lifestyle off of credit.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”