It is a sad proverb, but so true: ‘The borrower becomes the lender’s slave’ (Proverbs 22:7).
Tossing and turning through the night, the heavy borrower is a depressed soul. He dresses with prison clothes every morning and lugs his shackles to work – that job that offers so little hope for setting him free. He dreads the coming of the mail, and has few waking hours without remorse. Serious debtors crave freedom but often, sadly, borrow even more in their desperate attempt to shake open their prison door. The overwhelmed debtor is fawning toward his lender, but despises him for all his generosity.
Debtor’s prison
I once knew a very godly man who owed about a million dollars. He was forever at the bank working out this and that deal. It was a huge burden from one week to the next, taking a mammoth amount of his time and ‘worry’ capital, even though he attempted to do things as correctly as possible. His bondage promised to be never-ending. Is this what life is to be about?
Finally, through some discussions together and a lot of meditating, God opened my friend’s eyes to see the immense value of being completely out of debt in both his business and personal life. He had always thought that could not be possible. But it was.
It was a light that guided him over the next few years until he arrived at the desired end. He thought of this ‘awakening’ as one of the seminal events in his life. And God has blessed him for it so much that he is now able to be an extremely generous giver for many significant Christian causes. His shackles are removed for ever.
Others are smaller players in the debt business. Yet with that student loan, the car payments, the credit card debt and the mortgage, it has become normal for people to go to bed like a prisoner who turns his head to the wall to weep. Many people are £5,000, £10,000 or even £50,000 in debt on just consumer items.
Time to seek a different life
Even in their laughter there is sorrow. Indebtedness has been the cause of not a few cases of depression and ruined families. It has kept potential missionaries from going overseas and aspiring entrepreneurs from taking bold steps. It has claimed its share of suicides. It is a load too big for us to carry. Yet ‘friendly’ credit card companies are happy to help you get there.
It is time to seek a different life. Wouldn’t you agree? I know that sometimes unavoidable crises come. Regardless of how you got there, however, it is time to turn in another direction and seek the freedom God can give his children. Here are my suggestions:
Work strategically toward a life with no debt at all.It may take many steps, but don’t think it is impossible. If any couple had fewer prospects of being debt free on their home, it was us, considering my meagre income. When my wife and I set our minds to it, however, God acted on our behalf. We immediately found that the wall of debt around us was shaking.
Sooner than you would imagine, the last 20 years of mortgage debt crumbled away completely. Adding even a little extra money regularly on your mortgage repayments may make years of payments vanish. You can have a life without any debt at all.
If you must have some debt, make it ‘reasonable’.In my opinion, student loan debts, for instance, are not reasonable. Young people with no collateral and no real job bringing in money, are often sadly lured into this strategy for completing their education. It has bound many who will pay for years to come on unnecessary loans.
Taking extra jobs, reducing expenses, and trusting God would be a much better way. Reasonable debt is permitted in the Old Testament, but it is not the high road. Why not have God’s best?
Avoid borrowing on depreciating items.As an illustration, you may think you must drive such and such a vehicle – but is it true? When you come to sell your car you may find it is worth more to you than you can get for it if sold. The car salesman will happily keep your debt going with a new car, but remember that you are getting deeper in.
If you don’t use credit, you may not drive the prettiest car, but you will be able to put fuel in it! And remember that nothing depreciates faster than clothing, food, household items, etc. Live smarter and pay cash.
Destroy your credit cards. I know most think it is impossible to live without ‘the card’, but that is not true. I’ve had over 30 years of married life, travelled all over the world, bought homes and cars – all without ever owning a credit card. I like the use of a debit card as a substitute for writing cheques, of course. It does the same thing as a credit card overseas.
Some find credit cards useful for records and for certain small benefits if you pay them off monthly. There certainly is no harm in that, per se. But for everyone who can use them well, there are scores who plan to do so but don’t. Think like this: There is life without credit cards!
Get financial counsel.Many people struggle for years when they could have been helped early on to control their income and outgoings better. Some Christian leader in your church, or someone trained through a Christian financial counselling program, can do wonders if they are biblical in their approach. Use them.
Give to God, but don’t give away what you do not have.There are many wonderful promises in the Bible for the giver. But God would rather you work on your debt first so that you can give what is actually yours later.
It seems right to me to limit your giving to your church to 10% of your income (though I don’t believe Christians are under this OT law of percentage giving) until you are actually free. Then, when liberated, give as generously as your love for Christ will lead you. Until then you may have to think of other ways to be generous, like giving time, sweat or possessions.
Finally, make a debt-free plan and work the plan by faith.It might take years, but you are getting freer all along the way. It’s an adventure. Be smart about it, get help, but trust God above all. God is in this; he will show you his power. Your weakness is your greatest asset if you acknowledge it and turn to him.
Remember that God has called us to a life of faith. ‘Without faith it is impossible to please him'(Hebrews 12:6). Most Christians are trusting their bank or their credit cards instead of God. You must not be like that.
Repent if you have had a misplaced trust, and start a vigorous life of faith immediately. You will be surprised to see what God will do for those who trust him fully.
Copyright © 2007 Jim Elliff
