Debt

Debt-Free Living

Paul's admonition to owe nothing but love (Rom. 13:8) is a powerful reminder of God's distaste for all forms of unpaid debt.

Usually we think of debt in terms of monetary loans. But in light of the context of this passage (Rom. 13:1–7, 9–10), Paul seems to have a broader view of debt in mind (Rom. 13:7). He speaks to us of:

• Taxes, levies placed on us by governing authorities, such as income and social security taxes
• Customs, tolls and tariffs arising from trade and business, such as highway tolls, airport landing fees, and import fees
• Fear, the respect we owe to those who enforce the law, such as police officers and military personnel
• Honor, the praise we owe to those in high authority, such as judges and elected officials.

All of us are debtors to God's grace. As He has shown us love, we need to extend love to those around us with whom we live and work—even those who tax and govern us.

Freely You Have Received, Freely Give

Modern-day investors and financiers pay close attention to interest rates, as vast sums of money stand to be gained or lost by even the slightest movement. In fact, charging interest on loans has become a way of life in today's society. But in ancient Israel, the Law prohibited charging interest on at least one category of loans—those made to the poor (Lev. 25:35–38).

This law had many social, financial, and spiritual implications, but two are especially worth mentioning. First, the law genuinely helped the poor by not making their situation worse. It was bad enough to have fallen into poverty, and it could be humiliating to have to seek assistance. But if in addition to repaying the loan a poor person had to make crushing interest payments, the obligation would be more hurtful than helpful.

Secondly, the law taught an important spiritual lesson. For a lender to forego interest on a loan to a poor person would be an act of mercy. He would be losing the use of that money while it was loaned out. Yet that would be a tangible way of expressing gratitude to God for His mercy in not charging His people “interest” for the grace He had extended to them. Just as God had mercifully brought the Israelites out of Egypt when they were nothing but penniless slaves, and had given them a land of their own (Lev. 25:38), so He expected them to do a similar kindness to their own poor citizens.

Christians are in a parallel situation. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has paid our sin debt to God. Now, as we have opportunity, we can help others in need, particularly fellow believers, with loans that do not escalate their troubles. Jesus even gave a parable along these lines about two creditors and their attitude toward forgiveness (Matt. 18:23–35). He also instructed His followers: “Freely you have received, freely give” (10:8).

For more on this topic, see FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, “The Redeeming Relative”.