Tuesday June 30, 2015

Read Romans 13:8-10

There are many people and families who have debts, and these debts help them purchase things connected with their life and lifestyle. For a few, these debts become a great burden. When they entered into the agreement for the debt they felt they could manage the repayments and be free of the debt with the time allocated.

Being human, we are not able to see the future. We don’t know when circumstances will change and catch us unawares – for example, being unexpectedly made redundant in our work, or health issues, mean we are unable to work. If we are loaded down with debt at such a time, then we can feel like a slave to that debt.

Paul urges us to, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8) Paul is urging that we honour our debts (financially). The only ongoing debt we are to have is the debt of love to one another.

This does not mean that we are to be mean and withhold our love from others – thereby having a debt, but to always be loving and never to tire of giving our love to one another.

All the commandments are based on love because as John wrote: “love comes from God.” (1 John 4:7)  God is the author and perfect example of love. Jesus summed up the commandments with: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind, and… love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-40) Laws such as, “Do not commit adultery”, “Do not murder”, “Do not steal” and “Do not covet” are all demonstrated in this kind of love. Love will protect, honour, overlook wrongs, persevere with patience and build up the other person in truth, purity and dignity.

In loving others like this, we are reflecting the nature of God to others. And therefore, if we neglect to pay back our financial debts to others, then we are saying that our God is a liar and a cheat, He is not considerate of others and He will cause harm rather than protect and nurture.

Of course this is not the image we are given of the Lord our God. Psalm 23, for example, describes Him as the protector, provider, corrector, and forever blessing those who trust in and love Him. The cross reminds us that God loves us and offers salvation to all who believe in Jesus – the eternal reward being, eternal life with God in heaven.

Debt is not wrong, in and of itself, so long as we pay our debts. However, it is better by far that we do not have protracted debts as they will wear us down and make us feel like slaves to our debtor/s. Living within our means is always a healthy attitude to have towards money.

Having said that, money should always be our servant rather than our god or master. Paul warned Timothy about the pursuit of money – a favourite past-time of many within the world, because “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. ” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Ecclesiastes 5:10 tells us: “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income.” Our contentment should not be in money and things, but in the Lord and what He gives us in life. Sometimes He will surprise us with blessing we have not sought. Other times He expects us to look to Him in prayer and faith, depending upon Him for our daily needs.

Our attitude toward money and our spending is to reflect our dependence upon God and love for Him, even as we demonstrate His nature in the way we use it. Give firstly of yourself to God and then to fulfilling His command to love one another.

Prayer:

Using today’s passage and the reading notes spend time in prayer.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

· Praise the Lord for the finances you have and ask that He will give you wisdom in using it for His glory and reflecting His nature of pure love.

· Pray for those who are enslaved to debt and poverty.

· Pray for the governments of our land that they will have compassion on the poor and the needy, and will provide the appropriate care they need without promoting a handout attitude.

· Pray for love to be your strength and motivation in your relationships with others in your church.

 Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. What does it mean for you to have no outstanding debt, except to love one another?

2. How is your knowledge of God reflected in the way you think about money and debt?

3. How should we consider others who are poor?