The cost of living is continuously increasing and as such, it can be really difficult to make your financial ends meet at times. You are likely to find yourself having to turn to the use of a credit card/other credit options at some point during your life and this is perfectly fine so long as you do not borrow more than you can afford to repay (for this can lead to bankruptcy) and do not borrow for reasons – or in a way – that is contradictory to your Christian values.
The bible might state that:
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
(Matthew 6:24)
…but this does not mean your shouldn’t seek financial aid when such is absolutely necessary, or that attempting to keep your head above financial waters will see you become any less loved by or connected with God.
When the pressures of living in a capitalistic economy begin to bother me and I find myself lusting over something that I cannot fund, I turn to the good book for inspiration. I try to keep the following ideology and verses to mind.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Can you keep your Christian promises?
“If man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”
(Matthew 30:1-2)
When you sign your name on the dotted line of a credit agreement, this is the equivalent of you giving your word that you will repay all that you borrow. Borrowing too much will see you land yourself in financial trouble and break this promise to repay. This sin will lead to both guilt and a bad credit rating.
Are you a Christian that buys more than is necessary?
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”
(Luke 12:15)
Before you decide to pursue the option of credit, you must ask yourself whether you are need of extra funds because of a necessity to provide for yourself and/or loved ones or because you are too frivolous with your spending. Man does not need much beyond the roof above his head, clothing on his back and a loving relationship with God and so, if you are borrowing money in order that you can wear designer labels or get your hands on the latest Apple gadget then you are succumbing to the sin of greed. This leads nicely on to the next question…
Are you attempting to keep up with the Jones’?
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
(James 3:16)
If you continually strive to have what others own, you will never find your path to true happiness. The quest to keep up with others will see you borrow beyond your means and disorder in the form of bankruptcy or another struggle is likely. Rather than striving for more than you already have, you should aim to help those who have less than yourself.
Do you donate to those in need often enough?
“The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.”
(Psalm 37:21)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
(Corinthian 9:6)
Giving to others will see you focus less on that which you do not have and the lord shall protect you from harm (like which can occur from financial struggle) in return for your good deeds. A balance between serving your own basic needs and helping those in need must be achieved.
The author of this guest post – Kat Wiley – has found herself dependant on credit cards for bad credit in the past before she found salvation in our lord Jesus Christ.
Related articles
- Stock Carnival Ecstasy – September 22, 2011 (fastswings.blogspot.com)
- Using Secured Credit Cards To Improve Bad Credit (debt-consolidation-2u.com)