Romans 13:8 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…” (NIV)

There are many ways to be unrighteous with money.  We can have an evil love of money. We can covet and be jealous of other people’s money.  We can be greedy, always wanting more.  We can sin in what we do to get money.  Christians do not normally beg, steal or borrow.  Money is a tool, and we can use it for good or evil.  It is not right to be selfish. Spending on pleasure, while those we are responsible for live in need, is not Christian.

Extreme debt comes from poor money management, and is unrighteous. It results from the practice of immaturity.  The mature individual knows that they delay gratification.  You earn it, before you buy it.  We live in a world that wants you to believe you do not have to wait on anything.  That belief is a lie, and it leads to financial slavery.  Debt deletes the buying power of money. A $2500 credit card purchase at 18% making the minimum payment will end up costing $8397. This is more than unwise; it is evil.  Christians are trading their tomorrows for quick pleasure today, and credit cards make it easy.

Extreme debt takes away our freedom.  When you have debt, you are not free to leave your job and enter active mission work if God calls you.  You cannot cut back on your workload if your family needs you.  Worry and stress steals your peace of mind, and you are not free to relax.  Debt steals your freedom to share God’s blessings with others.  If God gave you extra money to help someone in need, you could not; you already owe it to the banks.

Christians will continue living in debt unto they are willing to call it sin.  It may not be rebellious, but it is not God’s will.  We are stewards of all that God has entrusted to us.  Extreme debt is not good stewardship.  Christians must manage money wisely.  If we do not know how, we must learn how. To do otherwise is sin.