Whoever holds our debt owns us.
Whoever has borrowed money is bound to the lender. We live in a different time
than the first century church did and in order to not be fooled by the fear
mongers, we have to take a practical look at our time and the time prior to the
first century. Almost all wars are banking
wars, meaning wars are started over money. Whether it is debts being called
in or a desire for the wealth of resources under the ground, wars today are not
about conquering land or people but resources. Humans are simply an
inconvenience. Whoever owns the wealth and resources is the one who directs the
play. Typically, banks have invested in
both sides of warring nations, to help drive up debt. That is the beauty and
vulgarity of capitalism, many companies play both sides of the field making
financial gains while impoverishing regular citizens. We also have evolved from
ground wars to cyber wars, and while ground wars are still fought, today’s wars
include cyber-attacks and hacks. While the average person doesn’t even
recognize this is going on, and won’t even engage in this type of battle, all
people are affected. It is not about someone hacking into your bank account,
but someone hacking into the banking and lending systems of a nation, and
controlling a nation’s laws and policies. You may wonder why insanity and
hypocrisy seems to keep invading our communities, but it is due to the control
of the puppet masters. As Christians, we
can be smarter about who we allow to own us by limiting our own personal debt
so we are not personally controlled, even if the world around us is in chaos.
We have previously studied
Matthew 24 quite extensively and from that perspective we want to know what
people did when they saw what Jesus said come to pass. Of the three questions
the disciples asked, the one we want to pay attention to is what they should do
when they saw the city of Jerusalem surrounded; which was going to lead to
every stone being overturned and taken away. This is why we have so many
mistaken ideas as to where the original Temple stood, because not one stone was
left upon another. Those stones were used to build other buildings. We have
studied that in the past as well, so I won’t bore you with those details, but
we know where the original temple was and it was not on the temple mount, but
rather over the Gihon Springs. So when the disciples of Jesus told others what
to look out for, they all did something interesting. Today, we have a lot of
fear mongering within the body of Christ, and as in times past, people tend to
do irrational things when in fear. What does the Bible say about money, debt,
and loans, and how can we help ourselves not be in a compromised position in
life.
In both Matthew 24 and Luke 21,
Jesus tells the disciples that they will be beaten and killed for his name’s
sake. When they saw the city surrounded by Roman armies, it was the time of the
desolation which continues until the times of the nations are fulfilled. Jesus
told them to get out of the city and that there would be no time to pack their
belongings, just flee. This took place in 70 AD.
Luke 21:20-24 But when you see
Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know and understand that its desolation
has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and
let those who are inside [the city] get out of it, and let not those who are
out in the country come into it; 22 For those are days of vengeance [of
rendering full justice or satisfaction], that all things that are written may
be fulfilled. 23 Alas for those who are pregnant and for those who have babies which
they are nursing in those days! For great misery and anguish and distress shall
be upon the land and indignation and punishment and retribution upon this
people. 24 They will fall by the mouth and the edge of the sword and will be
led away as captives to and among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden
down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (completed).
[Isa 63:18; Dan 8:13.] AMP
The disciples were warned, and were
waiting for a coming tribulation in their lifetime. They understood what Jesus said would take
place, but from about the time Jesus told them, to the time of the event, it
was about 38 years. It was easy to forget it or dismiss it, but they prepared
for it by living communally. Many of the apostles left Jerusalem after Jesus’
ascension, and were killed outside of Jerusalem. Yet many disciples stayed in
Jerusalem until the desolation was upon them. This is what they did.
Acts 2:43-47 Everyone around was
in awe — all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! 44 And all the
believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. 45 They
sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need
was met. 46 They followed a daily discipline
of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration,
exuberant and joyful, 47 as they praised God. People in general liked what they
saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary
Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
And…
Acts 4:31-37 While they were
praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all
filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's Word with fearless
confidence. 32 The whole congregation of
believers was united as one — one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim
ownership of their own possessions. No one said, "That's mine; you can't
have it." They shared everything. 33 The apostles gave powerful witness to
the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them. 34 And so it turned out that not a person
among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought
the price of the sale 35 to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles
then distributed it according to each person's need. 36 Joseph, called by the apostles
"Barnabas" (which means "Son of Comfort"), a Levite born in
Cyprus, 37 sold a field that he owned, brought the money, and made an offering
of it to the apostles. (from THE
MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All
rights reserved.)
By selling their possessions they
freed themselves from burdens and when the city would be surrounded they could
leave quickly. Today that is an idealistic way to live, but also an impractical
way to live. For our time, living without debt is not an easy task. Therefore
we need to limit what debt we have so that we are not so overly extended that
we cannot live in a crisis situation. Cyber wars extend to wasting resources,
and destroying infrastructure, as well as targeting weapon stockpiles. All our
city systems are vulnerable, so if our water is poisoned we have to buy water
from somewhere else. But if our personal debt is too high we will have a hard
time with the extra expense of buying clean water. Remember the cases of
churches’ whose loans were called in? Those churches lost their investments,
their buildings, and congregations. Someone else was directing the play, not
the churches who borrowed the money, but the lenders. Who are those lenders?
Who owns the bank? Those are good questions to research before taking out a
loan. Many times the ones who own controlling portions of our debt are from
other countries. The idea of not overextending oneself goes for church groups,
parachurch-ministries, and individuals alike.
It is not wise to loan money or
be a co-signer on a loan, as that also puts us in danger of extra burdens. That
is the key to living in our time period, living with less financial burdens.
Let’s read Proverbs 6 from the Septuagint and understand what is being said.
Proverbs 6:1 My son,
if thou become surety for thy friend, thou shalt deliver thine hand to an
enemy. 2 For a man’s own lips become a strong snare to him, and he is
caught with the lips of his own mouth. 3 My son, do what
I command thee, and deliver thyself; for on thy friend’s account thou art come
into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir up even thy friend
for whom thou art become surety. 4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor
slumber with thine eyelids; 5 that thou mayest deliver thyself as a
doe out of the toils, and as a bird out of a snare.
This seems pretty clear, get out
of any loans you became a guarantee for, and if you co-signed for someone else,
get out of it quickly and legally. Then work hard to pay your own debt, and
store up for hard times so that poverty doesn’t overtake you.
Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant,
O sluggard; and see, and emulate his ways, and become wiser than
he. 7 For whereas he has no husbandry, nor any one to compel him, and
is under no master, 8 he prepares food for himself in the summer, and
lays by abundant store in harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how diligent she
is, and how earnestly she is engaged in her work; whose labours kings and
private men use for health, and she is desired and respected by all: though
weak in body, she is advanced by honouring wisdom. 9 How long wilt
thou lie, O sluggard? and when wilt thou awake out of sleep? 10 Thou
sleepest a little, and thou restest a little, and thou slumberest a short time,
and thou foldest thine arms over thy breast a little. 11 Then poverty
comes upon thee as an evil traveller, and want as a swift courier: but if thou
be diligent, thine harvest shall arrive as a fountain, and poverty shall flee
away as a bad courier.
Next we are warned about being
foolish and making deals with criminals. If we are foolish enough to deal with
wrongdoers we will suffer along with them.
Proverbs 6:12 A foolish man
and a transgressor goes in ways that are not good. 13 And the same
winks with the eye, and makes a sign with his foot, and teaches with the
beckonings of his fingers. 14 His perverse heart devises
evils: at all times such a one causes troubles to a
city. 15 Therefore his destruction shall come suddenly; overthrow and
irretrievable ruin. 16 For he rejoices in all things which God hates, and
he is ruined by reason of impurity of soul. 17 The eye of the
haughty, a tongue unjust, hands shedding the blood of the just; 18and a
heart devising evil thoughts, and feet hastening to do evil, —are hateful to
God. 19 An unjust witness kindles falsehoods, and brings on
quarrels between brethren. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Proverbs/index.htm
Notice the criminal rejoices in
the things God hates and he is ruined by his own impure soul. While someone added the words regarding the
“six things God hates even seven “ and those words do not appear in the Septuagint,
these seven things are hated by Yahweh. Therefore our admonition is not to be
fools and work with criminals.
Deuteronomy tells us not to
charge interest to our kinsmen if we are lending money. Today, the only ones
who seem to do this are the Muslims. While foreigners are allowed to be charged
interest, the Israeli nation coming out of Egypt was not to charge interest to
other Israeli’s.
Deut 23:19-20 Don't charge interest to your kinsmen on any
loan: not for money or food or clothing or anything else that could earn
interest. 20 You may charge foreigners interest, but you may not charge your
brothers interest; that way God, your God, will bless all the work that you
take up and the land that you are entering to possess. (from THE MESSAGE: The
Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights
reserved.)
No one was to ask for collateral that would be equipment used
for someone’s business, because obviously if one takes someone’s business
equipment when the borrower is already struggling to pay back a loan, it would
create poverty for that family.
Deut 24:6 Don't seize a handmill or an upper millstone as
collateral for a loan. You'd be seizing someone's very life. (from THE MESSAGE:
The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights
reserved.)
Moses writes that we should help someone who has become
impoverished, not gouge them with interest charges.
Lev 25:35-38 "If one of your brothers becomes indigent
and cannot support himself, help him, the same as you would a foreigner or a
guest so that he can continue to live in your neighborhood. 36 Don't gouge him
with interest charges; out of reverence for your God help your brother to
continue to live with you in the neighborhood. 37 Don't take advantage of his
plight by running up big interest charges on his loans, and don't give him food
for profit. 38 I am your God who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land
of Canaan and to be your God. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary
Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
What we see is that Yahweh wanted people to have a heart
regarding money. Have you ever met a compassionate banker who gives money when
average people are in need? Quite the opposite. I remember a couple who came to
a bank pleading for a loan on whatever collateral they could offer so that
their child could get cancer treatments as they had no insurance and were
self-employed. Sadly, the bankers sometimes have the power of life and death. This
is not how our world should work, but Jesus said something we should put into
practice.
Matt 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that
would borrow of thee turn not thou away. KJV
Jesus is truly asking us to be generous, and give to
others. He is not asking us to weigh whether someone can pay us back or will
use what they borrowed wisely, he just wants us to be generous. We are told
however not to lend to someone who has more money than we do because we will be
stiffed.
Ecclus 8:12-13 Lend not unto him that is mightier than
thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost. 13 Be not surety above thy
power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it. KJV
And again we are to lend to our neighbors, but really we
should count it as a gift.
Ecclus 29:1-11 He that is merciful will lend unto his
neighbour; and he that strengtheneth his hand keepeth the commandments. 2 Lend
to thy neighbour in time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour again in due season.b3
Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him, and thou shalt always find the thing
that is necessary for thee.b4 Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to
be found, and put them to trouble that helped them. 5 Till he hath received, he
will kiss a man's hand; and for his neighbour's money he will speak submissly:
but when he should repay, he will prolong the time, and return words of grief,
and complain of the time. 6 If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half,
and he will count as if he had found it: if not, he hath deprived him of his
money, and he hath gotten him an enemy without cause: he payeth him with
cursings and railings; and for honour he will pay him disgrace. 7 Many
therefore have refused to lend for other men's ill dealing, fearing to be
defrauded.8 Yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to
shew him mercy.9 Help the poor for the commandment's sake, and turn him not
away because of his poverty.10 Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend,
and let it not rust under a stone to be lost.11 Lay up thy treasure according
to the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than
gold. KJV
Lending to someone who is better off than we are is a
mistake. We also should save money to help deliver us from affliction as money
can fight for us.
Ecclus 29:12-19 Shut up alms in thy storehouses: and it
shall deliver thee from all affliction.13 It shall fight for thee against thine
enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear.14 An honest man is surety
for his neighbour: but he that is impudent will forsake him.15 Forget not the
friendship of thy surety, for he hath given his life for thee.16 A sinner will
overthrow the good estate of his surety:17 And he that is of an unthankful mind
will leave him [in danger] that delivered him.18 Suretiship hath undone many of
good estate, and shaken them as a wave of the sea: mighty men hath it driven
from their houses, so that they wandered among strange nations.19 A wicked man
transgressing the commandments of the Lord shall fall into suretiship: and he
that undertaketh and followeth other men's business for gain shall fall into
suits. KJV
Notice that if one is following another man’s business for
gain, he will end up with lawsuits. Suretiship
or corporate suretyship is the
business of issuing fidelity bonds or insurance to guarantee the performance of
an obligation. There are three parties involved, let’s say the plumbing
company, the customer, and the insurer that guarantees the plumber will do the
job. Therefore do not be the surety for another business. Don’t guarantee your
brother-in-law can do the work he promised because he might leave you hanging
and you will end up in court, paying for your brother-in-law’s inability to
complete a service.
Another idea to consider is not to build a house without
the money to do so.
Ecclus 21:8 He that buildeth his house with other men's
money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial. KJV
We saw a cultural move to inspire people to build a bigger
and better house with loans about 30 years ago. The idea of moving up was what
people were told to do to show themselves successful. People were coached to
buy new cars to look successful, and wear expensive clothes to look successful.
Unfortunately all of the hype was just a front or a put on. When markets
crashed, people lost their jobs, and in turn their houses and cars. Reality hit
hard when people realized that if you do not own something outright, you are
simply leasing it, and someone may take it back from you. Today, people are
coached to fix up their homes, with updated appliances and furnishings. These
people who try to shift the public’s thinking on the basis of capitalism are
corporations. There are sponsors who pay people to counsel the general populace
to spend money, they do it for their own profit. We are told to beware.
Ecclus 37:7-11 Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but
there is some that counselleth for himself.8 Beware of a counsellor, and know
before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot
upon thee,9 And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the
other side, to see what shall befall thee.10 Consult not with one that
suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.11 Neither consult
with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in
matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling;
nor with an envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching
kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year
of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business: hearken not unto
these in any matter of counsel. KJV
Notice that the one who counsels others to buy things is
doing it for his own gain. And take note of the idle servant of much business. Idle
people who are into many businesses are also not someone to consult with in
business dealings. Pitchmen are simply sales people with the goal of a sale,
not people with your best interests at heart no matter how they spin something.
It is our obligation to be honest in business and honest in
paying our taxes. Jesus made the point that the children of the King don’t pay
taxes. The subjects of the Kingdom pay taxes. If you are required to pay taxes,
do so. Do not attempt to cheat the system. We see many Christian ministries
cheat on taxes as if they are above the law of the nation they reside in. Instead
it is a shame and a direct contradiction to what Jesus told us to do.
Matt 17:24-27 When they arrived at Capernaum, the tax men
came to Peter and asked, "Does your teacher pay taxes?" 25 Peter
said, "Of course. " But as soon as they were in the house, Jesus
confronted him. "Simon, what do you think? When a king levies taxes, who
pays — his children or his subjects?" 26 He answered, "His
subjects." Jesus said, "Then the children get off free, right? 27 But
so we don't upset them needlessly, go down to the lake, cast a hook, and pull
in the first fish that bites. Open its mouth and you'll find a coin. Take it
and give it to the tax men. It will be enough for both of us." (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary
Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
Again Jesus said to pay taxes. You do not have to like it
or agree with the money being spent, you simply are required to do it.
Matt 22:15-23 That's when the Pharisees plotted a way to
trap him into saying something damaging. 16 They sent their disciples, with a
few of Herod's followers mixed in, to ask, "Teacher, we know you have
integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion,
and don't pander to your students. 17 So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay
taxes to Caesar or not?" 18 Jesus
knew they were up to no good. He said, "Why are you playing these games
with me? Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Do you have a coin? Let me see
it." They handed him a silver piece. 20 "This engraving — who does it look like?
And whose name is on it?" 21 They
said, "Caesar." "Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what
is his." 22 The Pharisees were
speechless. They went off shaking their heads.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene
H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
An interesting story Jesus gave us to consider is regarding
the servant who hid the money he was given to use when his master left. The
master tells the servant he could have invested it.
Matt 25:24-30 "The servant given one thousand said,
'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand
the best and make no allowances for error. 25 I was afraid I might disappoint
you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe
and sound down to the last cent.' 26
"The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to
live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do
less than the least? 27 The least you could have done would have been to invest
the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little
interest. 28-29 "'Take the thousand
and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this
"play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. 30 Throw him out into
utter darkness.' (from THE MESSAGE: The
Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights
reserved.)
I hear so many ignorant people decrying the stock market’s
next crash. “After this seven year period, after this moon position, after this
next vote”. There seems to be a group of people who like to inspire fear into
naïve Christians as if Yahweh is pointing a lightning bolt from His finger at
the NYSE and adjusting the buying, selling, and crashing of that man made and
man run system. The stock markets are not run by Yahweh. He is not investing,
buying, or selling. Yahweh is not a day trader. Men influence trading to
influence gains for their own companies. If markets rise or fall it is not on
Yahweh’s shoulders.
Luke 19:22-23 "He said, 'You're right that I don't
suffer fools gladly — and you've acted the fool! 23 Why didn't you at least
invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on
it?' (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in
Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
While investing is not the main point of Jesus’ story, he
used this illustration in showing us that just being lazy or stuffing money
under our mattress is not wise. Just as having gifts and talents that we don’t
use for the kingdom is not wise. Let’s not confuse that idea of investing with
the money changers at the temple.
John 2:14-17 He found the Temple teeming with people
selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full
strength. 15 Jesus put together a whip
out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the
sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left
and right. 16 He told the dove merchants, "Get your things out of here!
Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" 17 That's when his
disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes
me." (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible
in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
People were to bring sacrifices and offerings to the temple,
but it became distorted when people started bartering and changing foreign currencies
within the temple courts for profit. That was not what people should have been
doing. The offerings should have been bought in the city or countryside. It was
because of laziness that people just bought sacrifices in the temple courts. Now
if it was as simple as being a service for those living outside of Jerusalem,
that may have been alright, but the merchants were fluctuating prices and
gouging people. This is due to the love of money rather than the love for
Yahweh.
1 Tim 6:10 Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but
trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely
and live to regret it bitterly ever after.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene
H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
Those who lust for money gouge their brothers and sisters
in the Lord. This is similar to what Ananias and Sapphira attempted to do.
While the Christians were selling their property and putting the money in a
community collection for everyone, Ananias and Sapphira kept part of the money
from the sale of their land for themselves.
Acts 5:1-11 But a man named Ananias — his wife, Sapphira,
conniving in this with him — sold a piece of land, 2 secretly kept part of the
price for himself, and then brought the rest to the apostles and made an
offering of it. 3 Peter said,
"Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly
keep back part of the price of the field? 4 Before you sold it, it was all
yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So
what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn't lie to men but to
God." 5 Ananias, when he heard
those words, fell down dead. That put the fear of God into everyone who heard
of it. 6 The younger men went right to work and wrapped him up, then carried
him out and buried him. 7 Not more than
three hours later, his wife, knowing nothing of what had happened, came in. 8
Peter said, "Tell me, were you given this price for your field?"
"Yes," she said, "that price." 9 Peter responded, "What's going on here
that you connived to conspire against the Spirit of the Master? The men who
buried your husband are at the door, and you're next." 10 No sooner were
the words out of his mouth than she also fell down, dead. When the young men
returned they found her body. They carried her out and buried her beside her
husband. 11 By this time the whole
church and, in fact, everyone who heard of these things had a healthy respect
for God. They knew God was not to be trifled with. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary
Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
It probably would not have been an issue to keep part of
the money they gained from selling their land, but they lied about how much
they received for the land. Many times people who lust for riches become liars
simply to gain more riches.
While we are not to act dishonestly, we are to live like
the ant, not lazy but focused. We can invest money, and not live in fear that
Yahweh is going to alter the stock market. Markets always change, they are not
subject to superstition and calendars, and they are subject to men’s desires.
If men want you to invest, uninvest, or generally control your thinking, they
will scare you into it. Meanwhile, if someone wants to put you in bondage or into
their control they will convince you to borrow money and live beyond what you
can afford so that you become a slave to “things”. Don’t make deals with
criminals, don’t be sold by smooth talkers, and don’t take financial counsel
from broke people. While it is not likely we will live communally and share our
wealth, we should help one another when our friends fall on hard times. We
should attempt to save money, and not feel scared to invest as investing helps
us to earn just a little bit extra. If we can learn to be content with what we
have, and not lust after money or riches, we can help to insulate ourselves from
being controlled by others. This way if our banking systems and political
systems change hands we can be free from financial burdens if our loans are
called in. Keep in mind Yahweh has your back, in all things. Do not fear, but
instead turn your heart to Him. Eternity is your future, not the amount of
money you have.
