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Romans 13:7-8 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. My favorite radio station** frequently advertises offers of great low financing rates on auto transmissions, mortgages, and pretty much everything else you can buy with credit. Whenever I hear these ads, I cringe a little. I have a lot of debt. I have concluded that debt is the opposite of freedom. In light of my experience, then, it makes sense that Paul would admonish believers to "let no debt remain outstanding." My husband and I know that God's call on our life for this time is to pay off our debts. Which is probably the least fun calling we could have, but I think it's absolutely a necessary step on our path to freedom in Christ. I suppose it seems odd to me that a Christian radio station is being paid for by advertisements promoting something that is directly contrary to Biblical wisdom. It's irked me for a while (ever since I started listening to the show). What are your thoughts? Does it irk you too, or am I over reacting? **Disclaimer: when I use the phrase "favorite radio station," I am being facetious. My real favorite radio station is the ever-liberal NPR. |
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HI Allie,
I am with you, I do not believe the Lord desires for us to be in debt and I do not think it is "charitable" to lend money for excessive repayment(i.e. usery.) I have been rereading parts of the book "Money, Possessions and Eternity" by Randy Alcorn and he has a good section on this. He sites various scriptures. He does mention that the Israelites were not to charge interest to their own brethren--but at that time inflation was virtually non existent--he suggests that it might be reasonable for a fellow believer to lend to another with a rate of inflation added--but Alcorn also would not encourage this lending for just any reason.
After marriage, Marty and I went to school, saved money--then eventually purchased a very inexpensive "fixer upper" (both of our mothers were visibly depressed after seeing the house we bought!) We added onto and renovated this home as money was available--thereby avoiding debt. It is very free.
The lenders of money for services like in the add--may be doing a service if what they are offereing is really just a "payment plan" with very low interest (say the rate of inflation.) It would maybe have to be looked into individually.
Anyway, just some thoughts. The Lord is doing a work in me still regarding money and the Kingdom. It is scary--I want "my money to be my money." But the more I learn from His word, I am finding out that it is not mine anyway. That is a whole other subject!
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beth |
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August 18, 2007 at 5:44am |
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Debt is a bondage. The Lord has been doing a work in our lives for many years regarding finances, debt, and how to be faithful stewards with what God has given us. We have found that debt is just the hub of the wheel, however, with many, many spokes contributing to it. Greed is a spoke. Pride is a spoke. Impatience is a spoke. Lust is a spoke. Doubt, lack of trust, being tight-fisted, our God is too small - are all spokes. As we began to examine them, one by one, God has taken us from total bondage into financial freedom. The biggest step was recognizing it is a spiritual battle, not one that can be won by clipping coupons. Even though our entire nation is being held captive, we (the body of Christ) can be among the redeemed and delivered. Amen?! |
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| Allie I am so with you!!!! there are quite a few commercials on that radio station, as you so nicely put it, irk me.... i believe that some of the messages (like buying with credit) put out by them is contributing to the confusion of what being a follower of Christ is... just adding to the deciet and lies of the enemy... while there are some good messages on that station... they can sometimes be an after thought to what is being heard by listeners who dont know what to "look" for, just not having discernment yet... |
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Okay, just a warning, I'm taking a slightly different stance than the previous commentors... But I will say this first... God's calling for Mike and I is also the same and no, it's not very fun either... Patience seems to be a very helpful thing though...
As far as advertising for things to be put "on credit", I don't agree with the idea of credit, however, I have seem many times where it is nessecary. When I worked in collections, I saw various times that many people needed something, if for no other reason, to just get back on their feet. For instance, in order for them to get a job, they need transportation and they were outside the bus line. To get a car, they needed a low interest loan to get the vehicle so that they could move forward. Unfortunately, many times this lead to a cycle where they would get a not so great car and need repairs and have to go get another loan on top of that. Too often you see people relying on the fact that they can always get a loan if they need to or that they can always use plastic and pay it back later.
My point is, there are some uses for credit if used wisely and when you need it, not when you want it. People miss this point most of the time which is why debt is such a big problem. However, I do agree that being debt free would the best result, but it's not something that can be achieved overnight. Good point though. |
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| Allie, I agree with your assessments and was so glad that we finally have an alternative, even if the play list is a little redundant! While there are times when the world exhibits more wisdome than the church, I believe those times are few. So why would we build our businesses to model their philosophies? Commercialism being one of the most blantant. Perhaps it's a fine line, after all I would like to do business with other members of the body, so knowing where to find those people can be helpful. But then again, do I believe I can trust everyone who advertises on Christian radio? No... so what's the point! God's blessings on you and Dan as you live out your current calling. May you grow together as you grow in freedom and may your testimony bring others to freedom and keep others from the same mistake!! |
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I would really like to get some folks together and talk about this (finances, debt, tithing, giving, etc.) I feel strongly that it should be addressed in community. I talked to Lisa D. about this a little bit, and she loaned me the Alcorn book, which I have been reading.
Anyone interested? |
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Sue |
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September 03, 2007 at 8:34pm |
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I never let the ads bother me. After all, they are paying the bills that keeps the radio station going. So unless I am willing to foot the bill, I don't feel I should complain :)
Anyway, I added a post on how to get out of debt. Please check it out, if you get a chance.
http://www.mychurch.org/blog/54527/How-to-Rise-Above-The-Bondage-of-Debt |
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