Debt and the Enemy Within

 Debt and the Enemy Within

Dealing with Debt

 

February 4, 2023

Larry R Evans

 

Introduction

 

If you’ve watched the news lately you’ve noticed that there is a growing concern regarding the national debt and the “need” to raise the debt ceiling. There is a strident debate about how we are to relate to the growing debt. One thing is clear, as a nation we are in debt, and it is getting worse.

 

One economist responded to an individual who was upset about the “incredible, irresponsibility” of the government.  After all, “it’s just a simple fact,” the person said, “you don’t spend more than you make.”

 

The economist responded, 

“And this is going to upset a lot of people, but I don't think there are very many things I feel more strongly about than this. This is not the government's fault. This is the people's fault. The people demand that spending. There is an absolutely overwhelming recurrence of the people wanting the things that the government is spending money on and throwing a fit when certain things get taken away.  So, I think it's something like 90% of people that want to see the government spend less money, and it's 7% of people that have an idea of what they can be cutting. And so I believe the real problem, over time, is an inadequate level of self-government has led to the need for a much bigger government.” (https://wng.org/podcasts/the-world-and-everything-in-it-january-30-2023-1675050038)

Today’s topic is “dealing with debt.” The statement by the economist that, “an inadequate level of self-government has led to the need for a much bigger government.”  Isn’t that a good description of debt.  A lack of “self-government” reveals much for us to think about as we begin our study.

 

God warns against debt in Proverbs 22:7, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” While there are injustices there is also an inner vulnerability.

 

Materialism and the Dangers from Within

 

A factor underlying much of one’s indebtedness is a growing desire for things. Such an emphasis can result in what is labeled as materialism. John Matthews, a friend and the author of the book Stewardship: Motives of the Heart, identifies seven essential features of materialism.  Becoming aware of the dangers does not solve the problem but an awareness should alert us to common pitfalls.  One Merriam-Webster’s definitions for materialism is “a way of thinking that gives too much importance to material possessions rather than to spiritual or intellectual things.”  In brief, these seven are:

 

1.     Money. While not evil in itself, money can be a façade that hides Satan’s true identity. The craving for money can have the same chemical effect on a person as do drugs. Some call it “brain candy.”

 

2.    Consumerism. Consumerism is the never-ending cycle of acquiring more stuff. It falsely promises that possessions will bring us happiness, success, social status, and an affluence-enhanced individuality.

 

3.    Television. “Advertising reaches us through our senses--our eyes and ears. The images are attractive, the words are chosen carefully, and the music is specifically chosen to make a product enticing.”

 

4.    Sensuality. Satan works to dull our interest in eternal realities. Note this statement by Ellen White, “There is nothing more desired among men than riches and leisure, and yet these gave birth to the sins that brought destruction upon the cities of the plain.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p.156). Retailers use sensuality to sell products from kitchen sinks to clothing and it works.

 

5.    Greed. Greed has been described as “the fuel that keeps pulling us back to material things.” Jesus recognized this when He said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Lk 12:15).

 

6.   Self-focused (narcissism).  Self-focus was and is characteristic of Satan (Isa. 14:13,14). This is the opposite of the trait that Paul encouraged when he said, “value others above yourselves” (Philip. 2:3-5). Moses demonstrated this same attitude when praying for his people, “Bt now please forgive their sin--but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written” (Ex. 32:32)

 

7.    Hoarding. Matthews suggests that “Materialism is a progressive ‘religion” and ultimately leads to hoarding. A person who hoards finds his or her identity in ownership of possessions that consumes their life. It is a perversion of management and the opposite of true stewardship.

 

These seven traits and factors are often traps leading to indebtedness. There are, of course, other roads to indebtedness and some beyond our control but we must not ignore these dangerous inroads into our lives.

 

The Antidote for Materialism

 

If materialism is largely focusing and getting for self, then logic would seem to suggest that the antidote is giving.  After all, we’ve studied about the importance of tithing and giving offerings.  That, however, is not the antidote!  Afterall some giving is actually done for wrong motives and for selfish reasons. The real antidote is found in Zechariah 4;6, “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”  To fight the rampant materialism of our age is not done by what we do or give but rather by the Spirit of God working on our hearts, resetting our priorities, and bringing eternal focus to our endeavors.

 

Key Principles for Avoiding the Entrapment 

Caused by Debt

 

One definition of debt is “living on what you expect to earn in the future.” Our study guide this week identifies three primary reasons why people get into financial difficulty:

 

1.     Ignorance. Financial ignorance, that is. They are not aware of biblical and/or secular principles of money management.

 

2.    Greed or Selfishness. We have spoken about that already but these are enemies from within that are working havoc on the lives of individuals and families around the world.

 

3.    Personal Misfortune. Let’s be honest. We live in an abnormal world and bad things do happen to good people. Not everyone is born with an equal footing in this world, but everyone is accountable for being a steward with what they do have. 

 

4.   Becoming the Surety for Someone.  A surety is a person who takes responsibility for another's performance of an undertaking, for example their appearing in court or the payment of a debt.   

One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge

and puts up security for a neighbor. (Prov. 17:18)

Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge

or puts up security for debts;

if you lack the means to pay,

your very bed will be snatched from under you. (Prov. 22:26,27)

1.     Quick Rich and Pyramid Schemes.  

These financial schemes are financial traps where many are hurt emotionally and financially.  In many cases these schemes become like a “religion” and invade a congregation, divide it, and lead many out of the church believing they have found a mission to lead others out of their indebtedness.

 

A faithful person will be richly blessed,

but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. (Prov. 28:20)

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For 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 Tim. 6:9,10)

Getting Out of Debt

A Debt Elimination Process

 

Behind a lasting debt elimination process is a commitment to God to be faithful in returning His “holy” tithe,  and therefore revealing one’s desire to access His wisdom and blessings.  There are three primary steps:

 

1.     Declare a Moratorium on Additional Debt. This will help eliminate additional debt.

 

2.    Covenant with God That from This Point on You Will Pay Off Existing Debt as He Blesses.

 

If unexpected money is received remember the covenant you have made.

 

3.    Make a List of All Debts and Rank from the Largest to the Smallest.

·       Begin by making at least the minimum payment due on each debt.

·       Next double up or increase your payments when you can on the debt at the bottom of the list.

·       Use money once used to pay off the eliminated debt to apply as extra to the new bottom debt and keep working on the way up.

 

                     An Example

Inspired Counsel

Be determined never to incur another debt. Deny yourself a thousand things rather than run in debt. This has been the curse of your life, getting into debt. Avoid it as you would the smallpox. CS 257.1

Make a solemn covenant with God that by His blessing you will pay your debts and then owe no man anything if you live on porridge and bread. It is so easy in preparing your table to throw out of your pocket twenty-five cents for extras. Take care of the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves. It is the mites here and the mites there that are spent for this, that, and the other, that soon run up into dollars. Deny self at least while you are walled in with debts.... Do not falter, be discouraged, or turn back. Deny your taste, deny the indulgence of appetite, save your pence and pay your debts. Work them off as fast as possible. When you can stand forth a free man again, owing no man anything, you will have achieved a great victory.—Letter 4, 1877. Counsels on Stewardship, p.257.

Concluding Question

 

Does the following Scripture have anything to do with stewardship? What principles of good stewardship do you see in this passage . . . or are there any?

 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (1 Cor 10:31)