THE DANGER OF UNNECESSARY DEBT
Proverbs 22:26-27 & Romans 13:8
Intro: Let me first start by saying being in debt is not a sin. Being in bondage to your debt is sin. We are living in a society they is absolutely dependent on credit. The United States national debt is 8.8 trillion dollars. Since 1969 the United States has spent more than its income. In 1946 a man named John Biggins invented the “charge-it” program that later became the basis of the first two credit cards issued in 1958 the American Express and Visa. Without credit it is almost possible to buy anything. Without some type of credit score you can’t buy a car and you definitely can’t borrow the money for a house.
Credit, when used right, is not a bad or sinful at all. It can be a powerful and useful tool. The problem with credit is that it has become abused and absolutely ruined the lives of millions of people and will claim millions more. Right now in the United States alone there is $753 billion dollars in credit card debt alone. I want to preach this evening on the subject; “THE DANGER OF UNNECESSARY DEBT.”
However, credit card debt is not the only type of debt I want to preach on this evening. Many people today take on a load of debt without considering the dangers that accompany it. With all debt there is a certain level of risk the debtor assumes. When a person overloads their self then they become in bondage to that debt. That is when debt becomes sinful. I know many people who have just overwhelmed themselves and then laughed when the bank repossessed their stuff. Now if you make a debt you are legally bound to meet the obligations of paying it back on the terms you agree on including the interest. In the Old Testament the collecting of interest on a loan was forbidden against the poor. This goes from everything to cars, houses to even taxes. Now whether we like it or not we are legally bound by the Word of God to subject ourselves to the higher powers of this land (Romans 13). Our text tells us not to go into debt or even cosign one unless we are sure we can repay it. Many times many of you out of the goodness of your heart have co-signed for an in-law or a distant family member but the Bible is plainly against it. (Proverbs 11:15) He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. You very reputation is on the line when it comes to debt and you will do yourself a favor by just telling that person no. I want to give you three ways unnecessary debt can affect you.
I. DEBT CAN AFFECT YOUR HOME LIFE
A. A recent survey showed that the leading causes of divorce were as follows
1. Financial hardships
2. Infidelity
B. Many young married couples take on more than they can handle
C. Often times a wife who has never worked a day in her life is forced to take on a job (This is not safe!)
D. They want to live the big lifestyle then they find themselves overloaded with debt
E. I am a firm believer that a family should spend time together in a vacation atmosphere. Debt often hinders that
F. I believe it is right at times to take you wife out to eat and your kids somewhere fun but when you are covered in debt you cant do that
G. Have you ever saw your wife looking at something and you knew she wanted it real bad but you just had to pass it up because of the debt you was in
H. The reason for this is because you are either always working trying to pay for all the things you have bought or you are to tired from working to pay for all the thing you bought
I. Because of this joy is taken out of the home life
II. DEBT CAN AFFECT YOUR CHURCH LIFE
A. Many Christians today are in a financial mess because of one simple reason
B. They refuse to tithe.
C. I have heard the saying it is an Old Testament concept
D. Well what it is, is the right thing to do ‘
E. If you want to set around and do without the blessings of God withhold what is rightfully His and see what happens
F. You may set around for awhile with a pocket full of money put there will come a time when it will be gone
G. Tithing is one sure way to have joy with God. The lack of tithing is one sure way to be a miserable person.
H. Ever wondered why the car stayed tore up all the time or why something was always breaking down at the house?
I. Even wondered why you just didn’t have enough money to make it to the next payday?
J. Tithing is an essential part of the joy of salvation. Offering just brings more joy on top of that
K. Does it bother you when the stewards come around and the Lord has told you to tithe and you put in that $1.
L. Many people would much more joy if they would tithe.
M. I am talking about taking out your tithe money before you pay any other bill
N. I guarantee you this. If you will tithe and be faithful in it God will bless you for it. Don’t tithe Sunday and expect God to return it four-fold Monday. Just do it because you love him. Give to the church freely and God will return freely.
III. DEBT CAN AFFECT YOUR TESTIMONY
A. Whether we will admit it or not we all have somewhat of a social life
B. All of us know and associate with people outside of this church and even with those who are sinners
C. This is the social life I am talking about.
D. We are to be an example to these folks. That is our testimony
E. Unpaid debt can even cause those people to wonder if we are really what we say we are.
F. I would hate to have my name put in the paper over delinquent taxes
G. I have seen many a church peoples names in the newspaper where they failed to pay their property taxes.
H. Imagine what all of their lost friends thank of them
I. ILLUSTRATION: (ROY STIEFEL CITY LAND TAXES)
J. ILLUSTRATION: (MAN WHO OWNED STORE IN TOWN AND LET PEOPLE HAVE CREDIT. MOONSHINERS WOULD PAY THEIR CHARGE ACCOUNT EVERY WEEK BUT THE CHURCH PEOPLE WOULD NOT)
Close: Debt is not a sin until it has gotten out of control and you have become its servant. Maybe this is a place in your life you need some help with. There is no shame in asking God for help with your finances. But when you ask you have got to be committed to whatever route he take you down.
