Avoiding Debt And Materialistic Attitudes

by Johnston, Brian, D. | Category: Pressure Points | May 2003

Debt is an issue whether we live in an affluent and increasingly credit-driven economy or in one where we require to borrow seed against the expectation of repaying it when harvest comes. While lower income people generally pay higher interest rates, those earning more often borrow greater amounts. Debt, therefore, is no respecter of social or economic status. It's an issue for everyone. As Christians, we, like everyone else, are surrounded by constant encouragements to live beyond our means, including offers to obtain yet another credit card to consolidate debts.

It was a poor woman who lamented, "The creditor is coming." ( 1) Poor, but wise; for recognizing the problem, she took prompt action. It was wise action too, for she sought help from the Lord through His prophet. As a result, she shut her door on the world that she might shut herself up to God. Practical help from God's wonderful supply enabled her to experience how a little can go a long way.

Having recognized the potential for a problem, even a debt problem, we, too, need to shut the door on worldly attitudes, like buying things we don't really need with money we don't really have. If things seem to be spiralling out of control, prayerfully we need to seek specialist advice, cross-checked with mature Christian counsel.

And the Bible is very practical in this area of counsel. It has been estimated that there are 500 verses about faith; but many more on handling money. After all, consider how much of our time is spent earning, spending, saving and giving money. It is doubtless true that how we spend our money says a lot about our priorities. It's salutary to make a personal breakdown of our out-goings. How is our commitment to Christ reflected in how we spend our money?

Thayer says the word translated 'content' means to be possessed of unfailing strength. The New Testament uses it in connection with money,(2) for discontentment about this betrays weakness. Contentment isn't necessarily the same as 'having enough', for society would generally define 'enough' as 'just a little more than we have'. True contentment goes against the grain of much of modern culture where, given half an opportunity, people aspire to acquire. We rub shoulders with those who ostentatiously display the trappings of success - and maybe to some degree we struggle to avoid being sucked into the temptation of playing 'keep up'. Often that's the attitude behind debt problems in affluent countries where society esteems what we have more than what we are.

Doesn't contentment teach us the virtue of waiting until planned purchases become truly affordable - or if major - at least well within the scope of a prudent repayment scheme? Not forgetting to take into account what would happen if our income was interrupted temporarily, or if interest rates shot up, or how we might deal with emergency financial requirements, including meeting needs in the church. Prudence suggests maintaining (even when borrowing) some level of savings or disposable assets. If we cannot totally abstain from debt (which God allowed for Israel in Old Testament times, albeit at zero interest rates(3)), we should certainly engage in responsible moderation. It helps to recognize that, for most of us, what we can or cannot afford is a matter of choice. Ultimately, there is the choice to invest primarily in those things with eternal, spiritual returns. In practical terms, that could mean at least postponing the purchase of some accessory in favour of, say, facilitating attendance at a Bible study week(end).

Paul gave good advice to Timothy, offering biblical help on using money without serving it. There is value in such criteria as utility, modesty and contentment when it comes to Christian consumer choices, especially when coupled with 'low-minded' and generous sharing of what we already have.(4) Wealthy Israelites gave their tithe;(5) the poor widow gave all that she had.(6) There would have been every reason in the world for her keeping something back, but materialism is there to be overcome for poorer as well as for richer.

Although given in a wider context than the management of our personal finances, a wonderful principle is enshrined in Paul's words, 'Owe no one anything except to love one another'.(7) With that as our primary motivation, we'll be equally content if God liberally prospers us, or if He delights to make a little go a long way for us, too.

1) 2 Kings 4:1 2) Luke 3:14; Heb.13:5; 1Tim.6:8 3) Lev.25:36,37; Deut.23:20

4) 1 Tim.6:6-11,17,18 5) Deut.14:22 6) Mark 12:44 7) Rom.13:8

Johnston, Brian, D. | May 2003
Pressure Points