Some say we should not incur any debt but how is that possible in a nation of capitalism where debt is part of the system. Many people would be homeless if they could not take a mortgage. In America, there is not the common practice to live with parents until one saves enough money to buy a house and that could take some people a lifetime given the cost of buying a home. Are Christians at risk because they have debt? It depends on the kind of debt they/you have. We know that in Christ there is no debt too great. “Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?” “I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. “You have judged correctly.” Jesus said.…Luke 7:41-43.
Should we run like crazy when a sale hits the stores and put our purchases on credit just to have that handbag that matches our shoes? No, but it doesn't mean that we should avoid a good deal on clothes and shoes when they are needed. Does it mean we should not buy a home until we can pay for it? No, if we see a good investment, we should take advantage of it and buy a home and feel blessed to have it at a good price.
We take what we are given to use for His Kingdom. We don't bury our money so that we don't spend it or use wisely. And, at the same time, we don't take on more than we can manage either and go into debt for that which we cannot nor ever repay to a man. And, in saying that we come to realize that being frugal is wise but never taking a risk for His Kingdom is also not wise especially when we are given money to spend on His Kingdom... as when a good investment comes our way or a blessing is given and we hide it from sight.
Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The
man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five.
‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have
gained five more.’
“His
master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been
faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master’s happiness!’
“The
man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted
me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
“His
master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been
faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master’s happiness!’
“Then
the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I
knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and
gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
“His
master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest
where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well
then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that
when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
“ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For
whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.
Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:14-30.
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