Debt & christian ethics

TWINKLE

Hi Little Vics - I am in the same situation as you, are you talking about tithing etc when you talk about Christian ethics! I agree this is a v helpful site.

Prudent

Little_Vics wrote: »

I guess I want to get my head around what other Christians in debt feel about their situation and whether they're applying biblical principles (whatever they may be - I haven't got my head around them to be honest) to their money management. I thought it would also make an interesting debate amongst believers, and that we may be able to help/support each other.

Start from what you think Jesus would feel about your debt. My guess is he would be right alongside you. Jesus reached out to people who were under stress, impoverished and in a bad place. The story of the woman at the well is a good example. In terms of repayment he praised the poor woman who gave little because she had little, but was less impressed with those who only gave a token from great wealth.

There are lots of passages in the Bible where its suggests that God wants us to be good stewards of our money, using it wisely and not borrowing money that we can't repay. However God understands that some times we blow it big time. The prodigal son squandered all his inheritance and was in poverty, but was still welcomed back to share in the family wealth.

Don't let your debt hold you back. We often grow in the desert places and become stronger and wiser people. I spent time in a financial desert - not because of debt but because of marriage breakdown. I learnt loads about managing money and have been able to use this to help other people.

Rob Parsons does indeed have a good book that will help answer your questions.

TWINKLE

Couldn't have put it any better Prudent! This is encouraging.

Little_Vics

hey guys - thanks for all of this. Tithing - do people still do it if in debt? And does anyone know the name of the Rob Parsons book?

*Jellie*

The book is called The Money Secret

bookseller1980

I am a Christian who is very much in debt. We all make mistakes and sometimes bad things happen to Christians to put them in a particular place. For example, I had an adulterer for a husband and this contributed a lot to my debt as well as a business, which I tried to run with principles, which went pear shaped this year. I do not believe that I sinned to get into this state and have an inner confidence that God's purpose for me will be revealed.
That said I do wish that He would hurry up and get on with it.

beanielou

Bookie~What a lovely post from the heart.
Thankyou.

moneybuster

hi apparently the church of England is worth 6 billion pounds as of 2007 :eek:

The £6 billion portfolio consists of stock market investments as well as property assets from the commercial, residential and agricultural sectors. Indeed many people may not be aware that the Church of England is one of the largest tenants in the UK.


they dabble on the stock market too.

Regards MB

HelenKA_2

It would be great if we could get through this life without debt, but I know very few, if any who don't have debt. You could split it into 'necessary' (mortgage/car loan/student loan/buisness loan maybe) and 'unnecessary' (over spending on credit cards and loans for example). Though I'm aware that these columns could get blurred in differing circumstances.

Savings I suppose are 'good' as long as other monetary commitments are met eg council tax, bills and repayments to above 'necessary' and 'unnecessary' loans. Remember pay unto Ceaser etc

Tithing. . . I would say that if you have paid all you have to, the remainder should be tithed but also don't forget that though tithing usually refers to money you can tithe time as well and if there is nothing left in the bank then could this be something to do while you wait for the tide to turn.

We should live within our means as Christians, someone has already mentioned good stewardship, and someone else that sometimes circumstances happen. And yet someone else that sometimes we are allowed to experience these times in order to strengthen and test our faiths - remember the refiners fire.

Really interesting thread, thanks for all contributions.

OP, my friends said that CAP were the saving of them.

ps. I don't think it was money lenders per se that Jesus was angry about but the way they exploited the people, the same with tax collecters (Matthew and Zaccheaus)

angelflower_2

HI OP

thanks for your post. i am on here a lot and dont discuss my faith very often but it plays a huge part in my life and in how i think about and how i deal with my finances.

Firstly, www.capuk.org are one of the most amazing organisations I have come across in terms of helping people in debt. You definately dont have to be a christian to access their services, the name is the reason they do it, and nothing else. CAP work in the same way as the other 2 big free debt advisor agencies often discussed on this board but come with the added support of a support worker, access to free holidays, cloth stores, help with shopping costs etc. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact them. If you dont need the services of their debt remedy, but would value some help in organising your finances, try www.capmoney.org to see if there is a course in your local area. I help run these in the Edinburgh area and as you will see from my sig, am in debt so we are definately not there to preach to anyone.

Secondly, the issue of tithing is one that you should probably discuss with people in your own church. I am personally not in a position to pay a 10% tithe at the moment and go through periods of guilt at this but then just have to not let it get me down.

I also pay small amounts to 2 charities I support every month including sponsoring a child. These serve me as a constant reminder that despite my own debt and at times abject poverty, I am rich compaired to others. It helps the focus.

Money is mentioned in the bible more than just about any things else. It does talk about not borrowing, not lending (but giving) and many other things but what I have realised that as long as you are putting your focus on money, either the act of trying to obtain more, or worrying about the lack of, you are denying the power of God.

My favourite verses when I am particularly down about my current state is

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Do Not Worry

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life/SIZE][URL="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23310b"][SIZE=1]b[/SIZE][/URL][SIZE=1?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I could testify time and time again about the promises made in the above for I have experienced Gods provision over and over and at my darkest days.