We Owe, We Owe, So It's Off to Work We Go!

So do this, my child, and save yourself, for you have come into your neighbor's power: go hurry, and plead with your neighbor. Proverbs 6: 3 NRSV

This proverb is speaking directly to debt. Whatever you have to do, it says, get out of debt!

But why? What does Proverbs have against being in debt?

Because being in debt to someone means that you are in their power. And once you are in someone else's power, how can you be true to God's commandments? You are under the commandments to the one whom you owe. Only if you owe to no one are you completely free to be under God's commandments.

This is so very contrary to our Western society, where we have all gotten heavily into debt, even if our debt only includes our home.

My family has been trying to follow a plan to get out of debt. Right now the only credit card we own is a Lowe's card, believe it or not. And I am working on getting my husband to cut that one up (why is that so hard for him, hmmm?). We do have a couple of other debts which I hope we can someday get out from under. I must say there is something freeing about cutting up those cards. What a feeling! I think it would be so freeing not to owe anyone anything at all. We might not be rich, but we would be free.

How about you?

Are you in debt to anyone?

Have you ever tried to get out of debt? Did you? If so, how did it feel?

Do you think we can be totally free and still owe money?

God, you ask us to place ourselves in your power, not the power of the credit card or mortgage companies. Help us to pay off our debts so that we only owe to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims