Proverbs 22:7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Every nation on our planet, is now mired in spiraling debt, with the exception of one. When one is mired in debt, there are several offshoots to the problem that can affect a person adversely. Debt often leads to worry, and much worry could lead to depression, and depression can lead to osteoporosis, by which a person’s bones can become brittle.
When David was continually worrying about the sin he committed with Bathsheba, he went into a bout of depression, which then affected his bones, and this no doubt, contributed to his early death, for he died before his time.
Unbridled debt can also lead to arguments between spouses, friends and family members, as one seeks to blame the other for the unfortunate situation. It is a fact that fellow church members and once upon a time good friends have become alienated because of debt, and in such situations, it can become very difficult to heal the wounds that were made.
Credit is the ability of a person or business to obtain goods and services before payment is made, based upon the trust that payment would be made in the future. It has become a sort of necessary evil in our day, since the exorbitant prices of homes and other big-ticket items, prevent some persons from paying immediately for what they may need or want.
But ideally, one should pay immediately for goods and services if one can afford to. Very much is made of a high credit score, and indeed, it has become a badge of honor in our day, where those who have excellent credit are rewarded, and favored more than those who don’t.
But the scriptural perspective on credit is to avoid it wherever possible, for if persons are not very, very careful, they can become trapped in one of satan’s most successful and favorite snares, which he lays for the feet of the unwary, including governments.
For instance, the debt ceiling right here in the U.S, was originally set at 11.5 billion in 1917, which then limited the government’s ability to burrow, to the set figure. But in 1939 it was increased to forty-five billion, in order to cover the growing expenses of the government.
The fed would have hoped that spending would be constrained and that monies thus burrowed would be paid back as soon as possible, so as to extricate itself from a debt spiral in the wrong direction. That has always been the upfront intention with persons and governments, but in reality, intention does not always synchronize with practice when it comes to the issue of credit.
In fact, the road to destruction is often paved with good intentions and some have discovered the hard way that merely having good intentions might not prevent an adverse outcome. With inflation doing a number on us, persons who have become used to the snare of credit are finding themselves digging in deeper, just to make ends meet.
Thus, we have observed over the years that once a person or government becomes ensnared with any one of satan’s traps, it often becomes very difficult to escape, and since that time when the nation first set its feet into the snare of credit, the debt ceiling has been raised about 78 times.
And as a result, we’re firmly in the grips of a never- ending cycle of borrowing, thus having to pay back enormous interest to the tune of 479 billion dollars each year, and counting. And folks can rest assured that the diabolical cycle would continue, until, like the proverbial albatross around our necks, we are forced into a day of grim reckoning.
When the Hebrews were about to pass through the lands that God had given to Esau, as an inheritance, they were specifically instructed to pay promptly for any goods and services that they would need along the way. They were not to distress the inhabitants of the land in any manner, and this was abundantly clear, given the way in which it was worded. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 2: 2 And the Lord spoke unto me, saying,
4 Command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:
5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.
6 Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink.
7 For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand.
In the history of the ancient Hebrews, there were times when persons who for one reason or another, had fallen into the unfortunate situation of needing credit, and thus, they were forced to use it as a last resort. However, even though the practice of borrowing was not to be encouraged, God made provision in the year of release, so that a person would not have revolving debt, hanging over their heads all of their lives.
Whatever our interpretation of scripture might be, one thing is certain: God’s ideal will for folks in this matter is to avoid the use of credit where possible. But if folks choose to go that route, strict discipline should be brought to bear on the use of credit, lest persons gradually get trapped in the snare that has been the downfall of so many.
The use of credit cards on a personal level will often come with a host of enticements and inducements for us to use plastic; enticements such as sky miles, or cash back or discounts at various restaurants and stores, and other perks as encouragement to spend.
While the perks, in and of themselves may be good, one thing persons should always remember is that snares have always come with perks. Always! Eve was offered perks in the Garden of Eden, as was Adam and ever since that time temptations have always come with different incentives and perks, in the overwhelming majority of cases.
Thus, we have to be extremely careful and diligent, lest the inducement to spend, without having to pay back the full balance each month, draws us into the snare that our nation is now embroiled in. There are not majorities who step into the snare of credit who then escape unscathed.
But in our day, credit has become a mainstay of our communities and governments and the practice has now devolved into a sort of death spiral, from which individuals, families, local and federal governments, vainly seek to rid themselves. That is because credit is one of the most important tools in satan’s arsenal which he uses in nefarious ways to take us down.
Contrary to secular understanding of spiritual things the devil is not a fool, for he was once the covering cherub, standing in the direct presence of God, and before he fell, he was the supervisor of the angelic host. He retains much of that giant intellect, and he is more capable and intelligent than mortals would like to admit.
The Bible gives us several examples of how he goes to work, in the destruction of souls, and nations and warnings are given in scripture, against his devices lest persons or nations be deceived concerning his malignity. He invents numerous “good temptations” to keep us from studying the word of God, which strips him naked, and reveals to us all his snares.
The following are just a few examples of his work in the minds of men, and it is truly amazing to see how he inserts himself into our thought processes, with no one being aware of what is taking place, in the overwhelming majority of cases. Let us observe, and then we will return to the topic of credit as a snare. Let’s read:
1st Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
If we were to ask David personally if he believed the devil was the author of that thought, David would most likely reply no, for he would almost certainly chalk it up to his own personal ambition, wisdom, military acumen or his own ideas.
What The Lord is saying to us in no uncertain terms, is that the idea didn’t originate with David, for he was not the author of the thought. He was only the human agent through whom satan worked to bring to pass his purposes in the matter.
Thus, he remains hidden from view, and the poor human agent takes the credit for the ideas and the genius, all the while not having a clue that they are indeed, doing the bidding of devils. Let’s read:
1st Chronicles 21:2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
3 And Joab answered, The Lord make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
4 Nevertheless the king's word prevailed
against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 28:1 The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord God; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:
4 With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:
5 By thy great wisdom and by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches.
At this point it is necessary for us to make a pit stop by the servant of The Lord as she elaborates further on the intelligence that is brought to bear against all mortals as devils seek to bring persons to ruin. It’ll require a humble heart and a teachable spirit for us to understand what is said, and how knowledge can be applied in escaping his snares. Let’s read:
[The Great Controversy pp 516>517] There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall become acquainted with his devices.
The better to disguise his real character and purposes, he has caused himself to be so represented as to excite no stronger emotion than ridicule or contempt. He is well pleased to be painted as a ludicrous or loathsome object, misshapen, half animal and half human. He is pleased to hear his name used in sport and mockery by those who think themselves intelligent and well-informed.
It is because he has masked himself with consummate skill that the question is so widely asked, “Does such a being really exist?” It is evidence of his success, that theories giving the lie to the plainest testimony of Scripture are so generally received in the religious world.
And it is because Satan can most readily control the minds of those who are unconscious of his influence that the Word of God gives us so many examples of his malignant work, unveiling before us his secret forces, and thus placing us on our guard against his assaults.
That skill, intelligence, and understanding, is always employed when presenting to persons the snare of credit and as a general rule the benefits of going the credit route are always touted. His temptations only consist of three categories, namely: [1] The lust of the flesh, [2] the lust of the eyes, and [3] The pride of life.
These categories are often recycled and presented in various ways that would appeal to different folk, but at their core, they are the same three that were used in the wilderness with Christ. So here are some examples of how satan brings the snare of credit to persons, according to the scriptures. Let us read:
Proverbs 6:1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
In instances such as mentioned in the above verses, a person might be approached to co-sign on a loan application, or the person may be asked to stand as a guarantor, in case there is a default on some line of credit. And in other instances, a person’s good credit might be requested to be used in beefing up an otherwise shaky, questionable loan application.
While it is true that the Christian should always be disposed to lend a helping hand, there are practical issues that would need due consideration, before a person goes out on a limb to sign in such situations. Good relationships are too often ruined by a default on the part of one who was trusted, and thus, good judgment and prudence are needed before signing on.
Whether such a situation, as standing security for another works out favorably or not, the Bible says it is a snare, and as such, it would not hurt to take the matter to God in prayer before moving forward. It is a fact that some birds do escape from the snare of the fowler, on occasion, but the good outcomes do not change the fact that it was a snare.
Whenever such a favor is requested by another, the one who is inclined to help should understand that there is the possibility of default, and as such, if the helping one can afford to lose the amount of money in question, then, a deliberate choice in the matter can be made.
In addition to the possibility of default, the one who shows the other person the favor must be prepared to forgive and forget, if it comes to that, should the transaction not work out the way they expected.
It cannot be stressed enough so we must emphasize again: the one who puts his/her name and credit on the line for another, should be prepared to absorb the entire debt if needs be and should also be ready to forgive and forget, if things do not work out as planned.
Especially within the family of God, the possibility of taking a fellow believer or a family member to court for restitution should be taken off the table up front so as not to cause any embarrassment to the cause of God, nor to the one who defaulted. Let’s read:
Leviticus 25: 35 And if thy brother be waxed poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.
36 Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.
37 Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
Matthew 6: 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Another way in which the snare of credit comes to us, is by indulging the habit to spend money before it is actually earned. By getting accustomed to the habit of borrowing against one’s future earnings, the stage is set for the inordinate use of credit, and after a while, persons can get too comfortable in the snare.
A good and faithful steward of God’s blessings will carefully monitor his/her inflows and outflows, so as to preempt any imbalances that would put one in a situation where such a person had no choice but to resort to dependence on credit.
In certain situations, this may be unavoidable, but wherever a person can do better, we should try to avoid the snare of becoming credit dependent. We are at that time of year when the inducements to splurge without careful thought, are all around us.
The “spirit of the season” often leads persons to a form of recklessness that produces remorse in the first month of the new year. Therefore, the prudent and the wise will bring to bear on all transactions, the wisdom and principles found in the scriptures, so as to avoid being sucked into a vacuum of debt.
While it is good to give gifts to friends and families, be careful lest you give what you really didn’t have. In other words, if one has to borrow from Peter to purchase gifts for Paul, the gift is really coming from Peter, and as such, the one who is passing on the gift is just a middleman for the time being, and will be holding the bag. Let’s read:
Romans 13: 8 Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
[A.H pp 392] When one becomes involved in debt, he is in one of Satan's nets, which he sets for souls. Abstracting and using money for any purpose, before it is earned, is a snare.
Generosity and charity are noble characteristics, yet they must be exercised with prudence and wisdom, lest adverse, unnecessary outcomes become the end result. Many advertisements include the words hurry, call now, or within the next five minutes, or offer ends soon.
What is being done is that they are appealing to the irrational, impromptu, spontaneous side, and quite often, the way the advertisement is worded, could cause persons to believe that if the purchase is not made immediately the world might come to an end.
The prudent, level-headed Christian will weigh the matter carefully and objectively, avoiding the often clutter of hasty words at the end of advertisements that are rattled off at the speed of lightening.
In most cases, if one cannot clearly understand the words being spoken at the end of an advertisement, it means that a snare is most likely being set for our feet, because an honest advertiser would like you to hear and clearly understand that which is being said and advertised.
As we close, whenever an individual or a nation has become embroiled in the snares of credit, diligent and well directed effort are to be made, in order to reverse the gravitational pull downwards.
There are times when even valid needs may have to wait so as not to upset delicate balances between inflow and outflow. Yes, folks may actually need it, but do you need it at this very moment, or could it wait until a more convenient financial season, if we are to avoid taking on more debt?
Again, paying the bare minimum on an outstanding balance is to be avoided wherever possible because these are the kinds of folks, credit card companies and financial institutions love the most. If we look to God for wisdom in managing the temporal affairs of life He will be more than pleased to lead us in the right direction.
The wisdom of this world is often foolishness with God, and the Christian in our day has unnumbered and varying snares being laid for our feet every day. Let us therefore consult with The Living Word, and the written word, for advice, intelligence and good understanding, so that like the character in Pilgrim’s Progress, we may avoid the slough of despond.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that would encourage us to seek the wisdom that comes from God, for it is His ways and His principles that always make the most sense in life. Let’s read:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
God Bless!