KEEPING OUT OF DEBT
By
PERCY W. HEWARD
Has
the Holy Spirit anything to say in Scripture concerning debts? Undoubtedly and, if we are God’s children,
shall we not have ears to hear? Temperament
and circumstances of early upbringing affect many very deeply as to this
subject: there are lands where almost everyone is in debt. But though believers should be patient and
tender to those who have not received so many privileges as themselves, we are
not to make our temperament, or theirs, authoritative. Love to the Lord, and reverence for His words,
must ever be first.
The
word "debt" means more than a duty, it implies an overdue duty, or one which
cannot be fulfilled at once. If you
send me certain goods with an account, I am not in debt if I have wherewith to
pay, and gladly remit at your request. The
money is yours at my house. But if I
have only half the needed money, and keep you waiting a week, I am in debt
before God.
We
are conscious of one continual debt. The
very passage which forbids material debts humblingly
implies this: "Owe no man anything, but to love one another" (
Debts
have always existed, and apparently will remain. The rules for
But
is a believer warranted, in the light of Romans 13:
11, in allowing a debt today? The
fact that God deigned to bless the widow in 2 Kings
4: 1-7 affords no approval. Moreover,
the advantage of a temporary loan is no reason for it unless we can find the
authority of the Lord.
Surely
we feel that the prohibition of debt already seen is definite, and that to seek
to get round it is to oppose the will of the Lord. If only children of God would take this
standpoint, and in faith render unto Him freely (Mal.
3: 16), they would surely find His supply of "needs". Debts
may be expected if we do not give readily unto Him. The believer who unwisely says, "I cannot afford a tenth" - less than
[* A word in this connection as to the ever
extending principle of the "hire system" may be permitted. A believer may be technically out of debt
obtaining furniture thus, but he will often find a heart-ache and uncertainty,
if simply wishing to please the Lord.]
I
need hardly say that loving sympathy should be felt for those who are saved
when in debt, and prayerful interest does not hastily judge such. But faith will bring such a victory, and godly
care will be rewarded. If, however, a believer saved in debt is
careless, and spends indulgently, he cannot expect the Lord’s encouragement.
Moreover,
there may be cases where a child of God in business, or through sickness, is
suddenly confronted with peculiar problems. Arm-chair criticism is not a mark of
godliness. It may be our loving Heavenly
Father has some lessons to teach such - ah, more than "may be" - but
are there not with us, even with us, sins against Him (2
Chron. 28: 10), and do not we also need His
gracious humbling - for it is in love? Granted
that the words of James 2: 15 refer to
complete destitution, and that the tried believer on his part should feel
called to sell goods rather than expectingly "ask"
others (or decide what they ought to do), it is the privilege of each to ponder
the Holy Spirit’s words, "Bear ye one another’s
burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Gal.
6: 2).
Need
it be said that "collective" debt is quite unscriptural? An assembly should never think of such a
course. How often it has been brought about through un-appointed buildings and
display. Undoubtedly many will help men willingly as to such steps, but
this does not make any action the will of the Lord. That is the fundamental question, and His
redeemed people need have no hesitation as to the answer. His will, and not expediency, is the
"pattern" which has been graciously shown them.
And
thus we plead with those who desire to provide things honourable ("not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of
men"), and to take Him at His Word, and to trust Him to enable
expenditure within income. And if trials come, they are not by chance. Our heavenly Father is willing to teach, and
willing to step in, as for Abraham in Genesis 22., though it
may be at the last moment. His people should be bowed before Him, for all
pride, and feverish excitement will hinder hearing His voice. "In nothing be
anxious." He is worthy of
faith, and let the principle of love’s prompt obedience suggested and urged by Proverbs 6: 3 be seen in the life of any to whom
this message comes when in debt.
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NOTE
The
Tsar Nicholas was accustomed to visit his camps at night, clothed as an
ordinary officer, that he might know, without being
known, what was going on. Late one night he made his tour of inspection. Seeing
a light shining under the paymaster’s door, he entered it; and he saw a young
officer, the son of an old friend of the Tsar, sitting at the table, his head
resting on his arms and sound asleep. The Tsar stepped over to awaken him, when
he noticed a loaded revolver, a small pile of money, and a sheet of paper with
a pen that had fallen from the hand of the sleeping man.
On
the sheet of paper was a long list of debts, gambling and other evil debts. The
total ran into many thousands of roubles: the officer had used army funds to
pay these wicked, reckless debts, and now, having worked till late into the
night trying to get his accounts straight, had discovered for the first time
how much he owed. It was hopeless. On the sheet of paper, below the terrible
total, was written:- "Who can pay so great a
debt?" Unable to face the disgrace, the officer had intended shooting
himself, but completely worn out with sorrow and remorse, he had fallen asleep.
The
Tsar’s first thought was to have the man arrested and then court-martialled;
but as he remembered his love for the young officer’s father, mercy triumphed
over judgment, and, picking up the pen, he answered the question with one word:- NICHOLAS.
Soon
after the Tsar had left, the young officer woke, and took up the revolver to
blow out his brains; when his bewildered eye was suddenly caught by the
signature. Surely it was impossible! He had some papers in his possession which
bore the genuine signature of the Tsar, and quickly he compared the names; and
to his intense joy, yet bitter humiliation, he realized that his Tsar knew all
about his sins, knew the utmost of his mighty debt, and yet instead of
inflicting the penalty he deserved, had assumed the debt himself, and justified
the debtor. Joyfully he lay down to rest, and early the next morning bags of
money arrived from the Tsar sufficient to pay the last penny of "so great
a debt".
"BY HIM EVERYONE THAT BELIEVETH IS JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS
FROM WHICH YE COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW" (Acts
13: 39).
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