How is debt a sin?
Psalm 37:21 says, “The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.” So debt in itself is not sinful, but the motivations of taking on debt can be sinful. The Bible encourages us to be debt-free and to owe nothing to anyone except to love one another.
The Bible makes it clear that people are generally expected to pay their debts. Leviticus 25:39. No one will or should advance any argument against this general proposition.
Nehemiah 10:31 - Forgo the exaction of every debt. Proverbs 22:26 - Do not become guarantors for debts. Matthew 6:12 - Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 18:27, 30, 32, 34 - Forgive because your debts have been forgiven.
If this person rightfully owes you money and refuses to pay, it's a sin and the Church needs to deal with it. Just as with adultery or any other type of public sin, the Church must exercise proper discipline or it ceases to honor God.
Wicked is not a word many want attached to their name. But this is exactly how God describes those who avoid paying their bills. So, does the Bible say that debt, on its own, is a sin? No.
not Repay.
The Bible on Debt
Read the first portion of Romans 13:8 from several different translations: “Owe no man anything” (KJV). “Let no debt remain outstanding” (NIV). “Don't run up debts” (MSG). “Owe nothing to anyone” (NASB).
One eternal or unforgivable sin (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit), also known as the sin unto death, is specified in several passages of the Synoptic Gospels, including Mark 3:28–29, Matthew 12:31–32, and Luke 12:10, as well as other New Testament passages including Hebrews 6:4–6, Hebrews 10:26–31, and 1 John 5:16.
While the Bible offers many warnings about the dangers of debt, it never says that you are out of God's will or violating one of God's commandments when you borrow. We can debate the wisdom of incurring debt under certain circumstances, but it's never a black-and-white issue.
But God tells the Christian, “Don't owe anyone anything. Don't go into debt; don't be in debt.” The service you owe to another will prevent you from serving God. The money you must pay out to bills will prevent you from giving to the work of the Lord.
Should Christians use credit cards?
We are to be content with what God has given us, even when we don't have as much as our neighbor. Even more important than that, our use of money should reflect our love for God. Using credit cards to pay for something outside of your budget because you are discontent or greedy, then, would be wrong.
In Christian tradition, the love of money is condemned as a sin primarily based on texts such as Ecclesiastes 5:10 and 1 Timothy 6:10. The Christian condemnation relates to avarice and greed rather than money itself.
Sin 2: Impulsive Buying
Unplanned expenses are the bane of your budget and directly correlates to overspending. It leads to financial strain in the long run.
If we take God's Word seriously, we should avoid debt when we can, since “the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7, NLT). And since Jesus tells us we cannot serve both God and money, we should ask ourselves, before undertaking any debt, How will this affect my capacity to give generously?
While biblically, there is no overt ban of taking on debt, it is discouraged so the believer can make decisions based on God's will, and not on owing another person money.
- It's wrong not to repay your debts. "The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously." ( ...
- We Cannot Serve God and Money. ...
- Debt Enslaves Us. ...
- Jesus Came To Set Us Free.
Matthew 6:12
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
If this person rightfully owes you money and refuses to pay, it's a sin and the Church needs to deal with it. Just as with adultery or any other type of public sin, the Church must exercise proper discipline or it ceases to honor God.
The Bible encourages saving.
Saving is accumulating appropriate material resources for a defined, responsible purpose. A wise person does this (Prov. 6:6-8, 21:20). As you work and God provides you with income, He expects you to pay your taxes, give to His work and meet your present needs.
Although there are some who experience gambling as something rewarding and fun, it tends toward being highly addictive and potentially ruinous. The Bible doesn't call gambling a sin as such, although the Bible warns against the love of money and get-rich-quick schemes.
Does God want us to be financially free?
God wants you to be financially free so you can put Him first in your life and be sensitive to His voice, ready to follow Him whenever -- and wherever -- He leads.
- Lust.
- Gluttony.
- Greed.
- Sloth.
- Wrath.
- Envy.
- Pride.
You may have felt like your sins are too serious or that you have made the same mistake too many times. But no matter how much we have sinned, we can always repent and be forgiven. Some sins may be easier to correct than others, but Jesus Christ has provided for total forgiveness from all sins. He is eager to forgive.
If forgiving someone more than once or twice seems unreasonable, just remember how often God forgives you. He doesn't put a limit on how many times you turn to him with your sincere heart, humbly seeking forgiveness. He's just glad you've returned. May we do our best to model our forgiveness after God's example.
You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your brother owes you. if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
