Our church started a new series a couple weeks ago on money. It's a good series based on the Bible and a book by a pastor in TX who went through his own journey of getting out of debt. At LifeGroup yesterday we were studying how debt puts us into bondage. Here are a couple thoughts from that...
It's not about money! It's about re-orienting our focus, framework, perspective back to the one, true God. It's about walking away from the yoke of credit card companies and banks to living under the umbrella of God's protection. It's about making the choice and deciding to live under the Lordship of Jesus, not money.
Those who are Christ followers should use the language of debt in terms of relationship with God and others - not in terms of finances. Jesus the Christ paid our debt (because of our sin, due only to God) on the cross. We cannot pay God back. So, then, how do we respond? We strive to payoff the continual debt of LOVE to each other (Romans 13:8). I like how the NIV says the "continuing debt", meaning it can't be paid off.
To the question, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt. 22:36-40)
Our response to God's love for us is to love everyone else. This is the Biblical definition of debt. Otherwise, the Bible says those who go into debt are fools. Ouch, that hurts! It is, nonetheless, true. It doesn't say going into debt is sinful, just foolish because financial debt chips away at our ability to be 100% fully devoted to God.
0 comments:
Post a Comment