In the United States, it is estimated that more than seventy percent of all individuals cannot come up with five hundred dollars in cash at any given time, the average credit card debt is over ten thousand dollars, and that many will more than likely die owing someone something. I find no fault in this, for the lost it is expected that their eyes would focus only on the temporal, that they would want but have no patience in those wants, their concerns are self-centered, and for us to expect anything different from them would be foolish.
I know of a young couple whose son required some extensive medical treatments a few years ago, and so as is common in many areas, they had fund raisers for them in the community of various kinds, yet at the same time they were not only paying a hefty mortgage, but were making payments on two separate vehicles, and instead of denying themselves these items, they continued in the path of “pleasurable debt,” while continuing to ask for help. Debt is the way of life for the impatient, it is not the way for the believer in Christ, “The borrower is servant to the lender.” (Prov. 22:7) “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
For a Christian to willingly place themselves into the bondage of financial debt is to deny the Lord the opportunity to show His blessings upon us, it reveals much more than a lack of patience, it shows a lack of faith. I have lived in many places that most would not allow their dog to enter, I have lived in my car, I have lived in a tent, I have owned houses large enough to comfortably house several families, and I have been in financial debt, but until I was shown these truths by the mercy of the Lord, I was never content.
The choices we make we are accountable for; we are the last one in line when it comes to the decisions we make for ourselves; we are responsible for ourselves. There is a good reason to not be in debt, the first of course is that no man should desire to be a slave, especially for the things of the world, for all those items will pass away. The shiny baubles that call to us are called temptations, but for most, Christians included, excuses can be found to place themselves in such bondage. They are as varied as the items available, but it always comes down to the same base root, I want, and if I am offered what I want, I will accept it. Why do you think our Lord led a life of poverty for three plus years, why are we told “In your patience possess ye your souls,” (Luke 21:19) because if we are not patient in the small things, the things that the world offers, we will find little patience in our spiritual walk.
We received the fulness of the Holy Spirit the moment we were saved, the debt we owed was paid in full for us by our Lord on that cross, we are commanded to die to self because the sinful desires of the flesh if allowed to grow within us will place us right back into debt. But now for the believer that debt will place us not in bondage to the world, but to sin. It is why Satan provokes and tempts the children of the Most High who are being used in a profitable way for the kingdom, you cannot serve two masters, (Matt. 6:24) and who you are in bondage to is your master.
This type of bondage should be easily seen by the mature believer, the knowledge that the next new thing will someday soon be replaced with the next new thing, ad Infinitum. What you believe you own is never truly yours, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21) These continuous desires are meant by our adversary, and our own sinful natures, to accomplish one task only, to keep our thoughts off the eternal. No man who is seeking the things of the world is seeking the treasures of heaven, no one who is focused on the debts they owe here is contemplating the debt that was paid for them.
If you have little patience, you will be easily led into bondage, whether it be financial or moral slavery, you will fall by your own accord. To die to self means to deny ourselves, patience in waiting on the Lord is the testimony we have in our faith in Him to provide what we need, when we need it. Try it. You might be surprised with all the wants that appear at the same time.
