How important is paying off debts?

[evangelist6589]

I know this can be controversial and my intention is not to start a flame war but to get different perspectives on this topic. I listen to a certain financial talk show often (perhaps too often) and hear people scream they are debt free. I envy some callers, but once I hear their story on how they became debt free my spirit is grieved. Some tell stories of how they worked 70+ hours a week, stayed away from their families and kids during their pursuit of being debt free, and most likely did not tithe or contribute in ministry to God's house and evangelism (the one thing you cant do in Heaven). Biblically if someone puts this above God they are in sin. Charles Stanley also agrees as someone asked him that question if he should use his extra funds to tithe or pay off debts. Clearly Stanley said it would be a sin to not tithe and use your extra funds to pay off debts.

No this post is not suggesting that we should not be good stuarts of our finances, as we should be. We should work towards the goal of being debt free if this is possible. I have heard some callers call this certain financial show whom were in so much debt, and some at a very old age, or having some physical disability, the best they could do was pay what they could. But I have heard other callers whom have been blessed with a quality income, and had it in their power to pay off debts. So paying off debts is possible for some, and not possible for others.


Opinions?


John

 

[mandym]

and most likely did not tithe or contribute in ministry to God's house and evangelism


John

How did you reach this conclusion?

 

[Amy.G]

How did you reach this conclusion?

Possibly because God will not take care of the disobedient. I heard Charles Stanley preach on tithing recently and he was spot on.

 

[Deacon]

...God will not take care of the disobedient.

Wherever did you get that idea? Just curious.

Who ever you are in debt to becomes your master.

Owe too much debt and you can't pay a tithe.

Rob

 

[mandym]

Possibly because God will not take care of the disobedient. I heard Charles Stanley preach on tithing recently and he was spot on.

What I was referring to was the small portion I quoted. He seems to have made an assumption and I was just trying to find out how he came to that conclusion. I know a number of people who are deep in debt but are still tithing.

 

[stilllearning]

The statement was made.....

“God will not take care of the disobedient.”

Then someone asked.......

“Wherever did you get that idea? Just curious.”

--------------------------------------------------
This is where I get it.......
Galatians 6:6-8
V.6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
V.7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
V.8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
-------------------------
V.6A Let him that is taught in the word
(A member of a Church where the Bible is preached and taught
------------------------
V.6B communicate unto him that teacheth
(They are to support their Church and pastor
“communicate” Lit.(share with)
------------------------
V.6C in all good things.
(The top 10%) (The first fruits
------------------------
V.7A Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
(Don’t think that you can get away with not doing this
-If you’re a Christian!- (The unsaved will get away with murder!)
------------------------
V.7B for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
(God’s Spiritual law of sowing and reaping!)
------------------------
V.8A For he that soweth to his flesh
(Using God’s 10% for yourself!)
------------------------
V.8B shall of the flesh reap corruption;
(You will be cutting your nose off, to spite your face
Thinking that you are gaining, when your really losing!
------------------------
V.8C but he that soweth to the Spirit
(In this context: Putting your 10% in the offering plate!)
------------------------
V.8D shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
(This will bring a “Spiritual” blessing to you....every time!)
Note: Because the blessing is Spiritual, than you may still have bills to pay or you still make get sick or have trouble: But from a Spiritual viewpoint, these are also “blessings”, if you are in the center of God’s will when they happen!

 

[Deacon]

Stillearning, we are not talking eternal destiny here, we're talking finances.

We don’t tithe to get something.
A tithe doesn’t motivate God to favor to us.
It’s an act of worship.

It seems to me that God takes care of the obedient and the disobedient.

There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 8:14 (ESV)


For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:45b (ESV)

Rob

 

[Arbo]

I was brought up that, as a matter of principle, a debt must be paid. The one who owes is slave to the one who is owed.

 

[stilllearning]

Hello Deacon

Of course the LORD blesses the unsaved; This is how He motivates them to turn to Him.

But this should not bring us to the conclusion, that the LORD disregards our faithfulness and obedience.
--------------------------------------------------
The LORD does respond, to our obedience........
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
V.13 ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.
V.14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil.

 

[righteousdude2]

Very Important, but Next to Impossible

I would love to be debt free, but I need a roof over my head, and that is one long legged debt.

Then, with the economy, runaway inflation, and my fixed (actually broken) income not meeting the monthly necessities, acquiring some debt, here and there, is next to impossible to avoid.

Great post, didn't inflame me, just made me sad that I can't print money like they do in Washington!!! :smilewinkgrin:

 

[percho]

If it is the financial show I have heard he always stresses the tithe first.DR

 

[Amy.G]

Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I don't know how much more plain it can be.

 

[Deacon]

Giving money won’t make God care for us more.
Giving is an act of worship.
Giving a tithe won’t make God love me more.

Matthew 6 surely is a good chapter to bring to a thread dealing with finances!
It assures us that if God cares for the birds and flowers, surely he cares for his children [even more], so don’t worry.

Matthew 6 assures us God will supply the basics, food, clothing, a cell phone, basic cable with a 42 inch flat screen TV and an internet connection, beyond that is grace. :smilewinkgrin:

Rob

 

[evangelist6589]

Giving money won’t make God care for us more.
Giving is an act of worship.
Giving a tithe won’t make God love me more.

Matthew 6 surely is a good chapter to bring to a thread dealing with finances!
It assures us that if God cares for the birds and flowers, surely he cares for his children [even more], so don’t worry.

Matthew 6 assures us God will supply the basics, food, clothing, a cell phone, basic cable with a 42 inch flat screen TV and an internet connection, beyond that is grace. :smilewinkgrin:

Rob

Flat screen? Your kidding.

 

[freeatlast]

I know this can be controversial and my intention is not to start a flame war but to get different perspectives on this topic. I listen to a certain financial talk show often (perhaps too often) and hear people scream they are debt free. I envy some callers, but once I hear their story on how they became debt free my spirit is grieved. Some tell stories of how they worked 70+ hours a week, stayed away from their families and kids during their pursuit of being debt free, and most likely did not tithe or contribute in ministry to God's house and evangelism (the one thing you cant do in Heaven). Biblically if someone puts this above God they are in sin. Charles Stanley also agrees as someone asked him that question if he should use his extra funds to tithe or pay off debts. Clearly Stanley said it would be a sin to not tithe and use your extra funds to pay off debts.

No this post is not suggesting that we should not be good stuarts of our finances, as we should be. We should work towards the goal of being debt free if this is possible. I have heard some callers call this certain financial show whom were in so much debt, and some at a very old age, or having some physical disability, the best they could do was pay what they could. But I have heard other callers whom have been blessed with a quality income, and had it in their power to pay off debts. So paying off debts is possible for some, and not possible for others.


Opinions?


John

First it is not wise getting into debt. We need to learn the difference between wants and needs. However for those who are in debt paying it off is a must if we are to maintain following in the faith. A debt is a contract and we have no right to break it and dishonor the Lord.

 

[Deacon]

Flat screen? Your kidding.

3-D T.V. is included in the recently updated Newly Inspired Version.

My six-year old grandson is outraged that his first grade classroom isn't air conditioned.

"How do they expect us to learn?" :tongue3:

I've heard that the poorest in the U.S. even have those basics and more.

We surely are blessed... and we go into debt because we want more.

You can't serve two masters.

Get out of burdensome debt as soon as possible.

Rob

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

We don’t tithe to get something.
A tithe doesn’t motivate God to favor to us.
It’s an act of worship.



Rob

Perfect. I weary of those who threaten believers with God's wrath for a lack of giving in church.

Paying debts is serious. It is directly addressed in scripture with 'Owe no man anything, but to love one another'

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Matthew 6:31-33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I don't know how much more plain it can be.

What does this have to do with tithing?

It is righteous and godly to pay our debts, isn't it? Does that mean we can claim this promise if we are debt free?

Payment of debt is a much clearer NT principle than tithing.

 

[evangelist6589]

Perfect. I weary of those who threaten believers with God's wrath for a lack of giving in church.

Paying debts is serious. It is directly addressed in scripture with 'Owe no man anything, but to love one another'

Thats the KJV rendering. The NIV says "let no debt remain outstanding." This implies that we continue to pay on debts.

 

[evangelist6589]

First it is not wise getting into debt. We need to learn the difference between wants and needs. However for those who are in debt paying it off is a must if we are to maintain following in the faith. A debt is a contract and we have no right to break it and dishonor the Lord.

Are you saying we should skip out on going to church and doing evangelism so we can pay debts? What if we owe $300,000 and make 30K a year and can barley afford a payment? What if we have tried to find a better paying job but have failed?

I had a conversation with a brother on this topic today. His view is that God is more concerned with character over debts. We should strive to pay off debts, but God has a different timetable than we do. This brother is just making $600 a month and has a income crisis. No way he is gonna pay off his debts anyday soon. However he is thankful to God that he even has a job.