Heed The Watchmen

Indebtedness Toward God Alone

            The Lord has been dealing much with me over my own attitudes toward financial debt and stewardship, especially over these past eight months. While I am still in the process of learning, and being perfected, God’s conviction is upon me that now is the time for this subject in the newsletter. Such a leading clearly puts my Lord Jesus in charge; for He is teaching me even as I am then sharing with you.

             In light of that continued learning, this article is meant only to set you on a path of better understanding in regard to Biblical instruction on the subject of debt. The Lord specifically awakened me to include this section, that undue condemnation not be placed upon anyone when it seems that there is, or has been, no choice but to take debt- God will provide a way of payment! Jesus desires that every area of our lives will come under His Lordship; He is patient and merciful, fully aware of the limitations of our flesh (Psalm 103:8-14). So please regard this article with respect to greater spiritual growth toward perfection in Christ, and not as a condemnation for what you have done, or what it seems that you must do. Seek the Lord diligently in prayer, and follow His direction for you as best you are able; God will indeed bless your faithful obedience!

            To those of you in other parts of the world, some of our situation in America may be unfamiliar. But I know that financial debt afflicts people across the world—and also that the present economic crises is well known to almost everyone across the globe. It is also true the America’s own economic situation has a ripple effect which is felt in a great many nations. Our world is truly quite inter-dependant, and America consumes about 25% of the world’s natural resources. I know that the light of God’s Word will accomplish its own purpose as it goes forth into your heart (Isaiah 55:11), giving you understanding in applying this for yourselves.

            It is true that America has great wealth for its people, in comparison to many other lands. But it comes at a high price spiritually; for even the most sincere of believers end up in bondage to mammon (god of money). So virtually everyone here has debts of some kind—this is money owed for some purchase, above that which can be afforded on a daily or monthly basis.

            Cars are virtually essential to almost everyone here, and the costs are enormous. Many will purchase a car on credit, typically paying $200-$400 per month; usually for 4 or 5 years. Yet even if you fully own your car(s), there are plenty of regular expenses to account for. Insurance and car inspection are required by law. Then there is the regular upkeep, and repair expenses such as oil changes, tires, brakes, etc. And don’t forget the gas (fuel) you need every day! The final expense tally will vary quite a bit. Our current car is paid for, and this past year will have cost $1500-$2000 total; quite cheap, in comparison to others. If you are financing a car, your expenses could easily exceed $5000 annually—and many people have more than one car!

            Other expenses (most are monthly) that we and others experience are; home and health insurance, home rent, storage rent, television subscriber fees, telephone and internet service, electricity, water, food and clothing, eye and dental exams (not included in regular health care), schooling costs, and leisure activities like bowling, golf, or skiing (irregular expenses). Computers are also an ongoing expense in repairs, upgrades, and supplies (paper, ink, memory cards, etc.). The big one, home mortgages, I will address separately later on.

            To help deal with all these costs we have credit cards. These are designed to help one cope with the unexpected; what you can’t afford today may be purchased on credit to pay back at a later time—usually with interest. This can really add up! For every $1,000 dollars “borrowed” through credit cards, it is easy to pay $1,200 or more. There is typically a 30 day “grace” period, and if the bill is fully paid in that time, no interest is accrued.

            How easy is it to get caught up, and buried in credit card debt? Suppose you are living paycheck to paycheck, unable to save. Your car suddenly breaks down, costing $500 in repairs. It goes on a credit card, with the hope of paying it with one of the four extra pay weeks during the year, or with an expected raise. You expect to carry this bill only two months. But then your children become ill, and one is briefly hospitalized. More unforeseeable expenses! So the debt elimination will take a little longer…

            Then your spouse gets laid off her job. Children need clothes, and school supplies. All these things you can no longer afford, and even more is put on the credit card(s). Within a short time, that $500 bill balloons (with other costs) to over $3,000—and all you can meet is the minimum monthly payments toward the debt, so the interest keeps piling up.

            Other unexpected expenses will also undoubtedly come up, but let’s assume for the moment that things get steadily better from this “low” point in life, and within three years you are out of debt. By this time you will have paid back nearly double what was initially borrowed for your need! Living in debt therefore gets to be a way of life for nearly everyone in America, whether by circumstance or by unnecessary purchases.

            No one ever really spoke to me about being financially responsible while I was growing up. Neither was I exposed to any teachings through the organized church concerning God’s will on the subject. So unfortunately, and to my own shame, as I became a young adult I was swept up in the current of the financial ways in the world around me. Even through my fall, and then my return to the Lord, it did not occur to me at all that this was an area of my life in need of submission to Christ, and His lordship. I was blind to this sin, and all that God’s Word has to say regarding it. I do not understand how such contradiction (hypocrisy) could exist within the heart of this true follower of Christ. Yet it is a testimony to the truth of the Bible; and the deeply sinful ways in which mankind is corrupted. The Lord has chosen this time and way to reveal the truth to me. He has cleansed me through His blood, and delivered me, and I will glorify Him!

            The financial systems and ways of this world are tools of the devil, and therefore a great abomination to God. I think the way things are could be found quite humorous, if these depraved systems were not destroying so many lives (and souls). Jesus also seems to lightly regard the financial ways of this world, and He showed this to us while here on earth in the flesh. Can you see the humor in the following passage?

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. Matthew 17:24-27

            Our Heavenly Father wants us to completely trust in only Him for every need; it is a great glory to His name! I am not being the judge of anyone for their specific situation. I think we have to grow in trust of our Lord, and He perfects us more each day. What I am saying is that we usually run far too quickly to the visible “help” that seems an appropriate way of dealing with a situation. When Jesus is the Lord of our lives, we need to turn toward Him in prayer; for our very deliverance, or the direction that we need.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalms 91:14,15

            When we turn to the Word of God about this subject, we really find that it has much to say. Again, we find this instruction to be both direct, and implied. The interest which accrues in a loan is referred to Biblically as usury. Let’s look at some specific scriptures with regard to borrowing or lending.

            God makes great provision for the poor, with direct instructions for His people. The Old Testament takes the time to spell out the Lord’s wishes specifically. Yet I find a solid overall directive in the Word that we (believers) should give, and not take (for debt of otherwise).

For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee. Deuteronomy 15:6

The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. Deuteronomy 28:12

Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Luke 6:30-35

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

            More specific rules and reflections on borrowing and lending are found in the following verses, which I encourage you to study. I will give here only a brief summary of those passages to keep the length of this article manageable, and to put time and emphasis on the weightier points concerning debt. Please read Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:35-37; Deuteronomy 23:19,20; Nehemiah 5:1-12; Psalms 15:1-5; Proverbs 28:8; Jeremiah 15:10,11; Ezekiel 18:5-18, 22:12.

            God instructs His people to lend to each other (fellow believers) without interest. Also condemned is the practice of lending on the interest. In other words, if interest is taken, it will only be on the original loan. Credit cards today add interest to the interest, though they often attempt to mask what they are doing.

            Simple example:  you borrow $1,000, and agree to repay it with 5% interest. The interest comes to $50, so you have agreed to pay back $1,050. However, when the time comes to return the money, you are unable to. Your lender then decides to charge you another 5% on the full amount you owe; $1,050. But that extra $50 was already an interest amount, so you are being charged interest upon the interest as well. So then your new “payback” amount becomes $1,102.50. The Bible strictly forbids this practice of lending upon usury.

            Just to note:  among God’s people, the Bible actually qualifies the “no interest” loan to the poor. You may take this into consideration, yet it is most often the poor who will be borrowing! And also consider passages like Deuteronomy 15:1-3, which instructs us to release the debt in the seventh year. Pray for wisdom and discernment in these matters.

            The real problem with borrowing is that it gives sinful men lordship over us. Our God is merciful and longsuffering toward us, and He wants to be our provider in all needs, great or small. This observation obviously does not apply if a believing brother loans you money with no interest! Most of us could only acquire the funds needed through institutions which grant loans as a part of their business.

            Again, I would like to take a moment to clarify that some loans may have to be taken—I cannot judge that, for your circumstance is unknown to me. But we need to see what God’s Word teaches us about debt, and submit to the direction we receive from it. The Lord wants us to grow and be perfected in His likeness in every area of our lives.

            The bondage of debt has far-reaching tendrils. God’s work can really be hindered this way! Here are some of the ways that debt will interfere with a true Christian’s walk for Christ; (1) Exhaustion: Physically, being so utterly tired that your life becomes a cycle of only working, eating, and sleeping. (2) Lack of time: Working many hours takes a time commitment that could be used more directly for Christ. The available time will just not be there for witnessing or prayer. (3) Unable to give: With all your resources devoted to paying bills, what is left over? Many ways to help are hindered because of debt; this is usually (not always) because we have put our own interests first which led to the debt. (4) Unable to witness: Yes, the Lord may present opportunities to witness at work; yet these are very few and far between. The objective of a job is to accomplish the tasks given, not to socially interact. In fact most businesses have forthright policies prohibiting the sharing of faith. (5) Broken homes: Your children will suffer from your absence, or lack of interaction due to job stress or fatigue. Marriages also suffer as many couples “work” themselves out of their relationship. Time spent together is crucial to marital success! Affairs are more easily fallen into when each spouse is spending more of their quality time with work companions than with each other. These are just some of the bad fruit which can come from debt—what are others that come to your mind?

            So even when the Bible does not specifically mention financial debt, it has much to say about debt in general—and also about directly depending on the Lord. It is a matter of prioritizing God’s values first, and then all our material needs will be provided. Let’s look at some applicable passages for inappropriate debt.

Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield. He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver. But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. But if thou wilt go, do it; be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down. And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this. II Chronicles 25:5-9

            In these verses, King Amaziah stepped forward in the trust of men to fight his war, hiring an additional 100,000 men from spiritually fallen Israel. He was rebuked for this by a prophet, showing the king that his trust should be only in the Lord. It did not matter to God that so much money had already been spent—God was concerned with obedience first.

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:5-8

            Only too many times, in too many ways, do we trust in the “arm of flesh.” We are cursed when we resolve things in this way, and blessed when we trust in the Lord (Jesus:  Philippians 2:11). Our lives should continually grow in dependence on Christ.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Acts 8:18-21

            This man Simon sought to buy a spiritual gift with money—which ought to be a lesson taken to heart by many today. In America it is often rationalized that the more we can spend (financially), the more spiritual “good” we can do. Bigger buildings, better equipment, bigger congregations ($); in the wisdom of men, this would achieve results. Not so, according to God! Of course, it is true that money is needful for many things to some extent. But we need to keep our priorities straight—investments should focus around adequate supplies of King James Bibles. We need to let the Holy Spirit do the work; “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…”—from Psalms 127:1.

            Many churches also become indebted to men through the funding of their new, “needful” buildings. Depend on the Lord of financing, not creditors. If God has spoken it, so shall it be provided for (faith; with patient waiting).

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. I Corinthians 7:23

            Every service of a true Christian needs to be an extension of our spiritual life in the Lord Jesus. Our effectiveness for Him is greatly hindered by unwarranted service to mankind, regarding temporal (earthly—temporary) things. We bind ourselves to debts, homes, or jobs. Many bind themselves to leisure activities, which often cost much in financing; but still the cost is far greater in the time we lose. Above so much else, we ought to be redeeming the time (Ephesians 5:16).

            Please seek the Lord in prayer for any unknown ways in which you are bound into the service of men, above the service of God. Scripture is filled with examples of this principle spoken of here, but for brevity’s sake just a few more are listed; Psalms 108:12, 119:134; Matthew 7:6; Acts 5:29; Romans 8:12,13, 13:8.

            Home mortgages are the greatest financial burden upon those in our country. We have been sold on a line of reasoning which tells us that we should own a home. The real question is whether or not God’s Word supports this reasoning; we must not concern ourselves with men’s opinions.

            People want home ownership, as opposed to renting, so they can say that they “have something.” They think of renting as throwing away money, rather than investing it. This way of thinking reflects earthly wisdom and priorities, rather than the reasoning of a true child of God. But if you have been indoctrinated (corrupted) into the world’s way of considering this issue, the chains are that much more difficult to break.

            In speaking to believers, we should always seek first God’s directives through His Word. Once we submit to His authority, even more practical value to those instructions will become apparent.

            We need to recognize that our physical lives here are fleeting, and quickly pass. Investing toward an earthly home is a denial of this truth. It is the attempt to “lay up a treasure” here upon the earth (Matthew 6:19-21). The Bible addresses this thinking…

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Psalms 49:6-11

            If you are a homeowner, or considering becoming one, I cannot judge your motives; nor could I know specifically how the Holy Spirit is leading you (I Corinthians 7:20). Yet if that “spirit” leads you contrary to God’s Word, it is not the Holy Spirit which is leading you (Matthew 12:25).

            What I have seen is the incredible self-destruction that can accompany purchasing a home. I have seen drug or alcohol abuse as people try to cope with the pressure they face. Families are broken up also, as at times both husband and wife must work 2 jobs each in order to afford their mortgage!

            Renting your temporary dwelling place on this earth is far cheaper, and more practical. (1) Cheaper rent will actually help you save money for all your other needs. (2) Families will be able to focus more on time together, rather than apart, due to the increased work demand created by high mortgages. (3) Owning a home is far more expensive than merely the difference between the cost of renting vs. mortgage. With home ownership, you will have far greater taxes to pay; depending on the area, easily $2,000-$5,000 annually. Yet also every home repair and “upkeep” also becomes your responsibility. This can also add thousands of dollars to your expenses, and the time loss which will accompany those repairs is enormous. (4) You will have far more freedom to relocate with only rental obligations.

            As children of God, we need to remember the temporary status of our physical lives. And while life in the flesh may only be short-lived, what we do during that brief time carries eternal consequences. Please consider the following scriptures to help you evaluate your current priorities.

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. Psalms 103:15

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luke 12:16-21

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:18

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13

For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Hebrews 13:14

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: I Peter 1:24

            Most of us take debt to purchase what we feel is needful for our physical lives. But God actually admonishes us to have faith in Him to provide those things—not by us taking debt or by working long hours, but by putting spiritual priorities above our material needs. Our God is the creator of the earth and the heavens, and He is well able to provide our every need (Ephesians 3:20,21)!

            God provided for His people Israel, though they were rebellious (as are we). When in the wilderness, they cried for meat—and were inundated with quail (Numbers 11:31)! The Lord also provided the daily food of manna (Exodus 16), and water for the people and their cattle (Exodus 17:6). Even when no provision is in sight, God can still provide.

            Another example of this is found in II Kings 4:1-7.

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. II Kings 4:1-7

            My wife and I have been recently blessed in reading the book Evidence Not Seen. It had been written by a young woman named Darlene; the wife of a missionary in Indonesia, during World War II.

            At one point Darlene is under great suffering as a prisoner of the Japanese Army. She is in isolation, accused of being a spy. Her food ration was a mere single bowl of rice porridge each day; this in turn led to great weakness and illness.

            Looking out of her window (which was made to be inaccessible) one day, she observed one of the other ladies being stealthily given some bananas. You can imagine the effect this had on one so deprived of food! She began to pray and plead with the Lord for just one banana…

            But then came the doubts! She began to consider the ways someone might get a banana to her, and realized that it just wasn’t possible. Can you relate to her feelings? We desperately need God to intervene somehow; yet it doesn’t seem like He can…

            The next morning, Darlene was unexpectedly visited by the commander of the camp where she was previously held (she had a great Christian witness toward him). He asked her a few routine questions, which reflected concern, and then departed. Darlene could hear her guard and former commander then speaking, but could not understand what was being said. Mr. Y (the commander) then drove away…

            A short while later, her guard opened the cell door—and with a sweeping gesture laid at her feet 92 bananas! Yes, they came courtesy of her former commander. Darlene was greatly ashamed at her lack of faith. The loving Lord God Almighty had shown again just how unhindered He truly is by our apparent circumstances.

            Jesus promises us that He will take care of our daily needs, as long as we put Him first. We are shown this as an example through Elijah in I Kings 17:10-16. But the Lord provides even more assurance of this directly through His words in Matthew 6:25-34;

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 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. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:25-34

            Remember that God is always faithful to His Word. The Lord Jesus takes time to prove the truth of those previous verses a little later, in Matthew 15:32-38;

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. Matthew 15:32-38

            So we can see from these verses (I added the bold type for emphasis) that when the people sought God first, food was divinely multiplied to them—just as Matthew 6:33 had promised. Consider also the following scriptures for similar encouragement.

Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver. For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. Job 22:21-26

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Psalms 34:8-10

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalms 37:25

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. John 6:27

            To live in such a way, depending daily on the Lord for our every need, takes faith. It is an other-worldly way to live; a way that many times (if not most) will not agree with our perception of the physical circumstances that we see and feel. Again, in the following verses I have added bold type for emphasis.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5,6

            Believe that every promise you have been given from God is absolutely truthful. He tells us that faith is challenging, but also gives encouragement to spiritually stand in faith, and grow. When God promises to direct us, He shall!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Romans 8:24,25

            It may seem not only as if God can’t get you that banana, but that there really aren’t any bananas to be had! Remember that God created the banana, and He delights in bearing “fruit” in our lives (John 15:8)! As for debts/needs, and the finances to meet them, the Lord would remind us of Haggai 2:8;

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:8

            If you have believed, and received Christ as your savior, you have already begun with a huge step of faith! You need to continue on this path. If you have believed God at His Word to save you (Romans 10:17), you need to believe the rest of His promises as well.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

            Our God is eternal, and does not change. When you read the Bible (KJV), remember that the same God who parted the Red Sea is the one you have a current relationship with, through Christ. He is the God who heals the sick, and raises the dead. He reminds us that He is always the same, to the encouragement of faith in our lives.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Matthew 22:31,32

            By faith in God’s promises to us, we can be certain to always have enough for our needs. Therefore He also encourages us to give, that He may bless this act of faith. Many times we might tend to hold on to our resources even when all our needs have been met. Yet when we can see a plain need, and help out, God assures us that it is right to step forward to give. Do you see the trend concerning debt? The Lord wants us to give, and not borrow.

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. Psalms 37:21

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Psalms 112:5

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:24,25

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. Proverbs 13:7

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17

Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Matthew 5:42

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38

            The Lord has rebuked my wife and I for not being the 100% stewards of His that we thought we were. We still held back significant portions for ourselves, not fully trusting Him in regard to His promises and directive. Because of this withholding from Him, He has also withheld greater blessings from us. Our Lord has continued on faithfully with His mercies, and small blessings for encouragement. But every part of God’s Word is true; so how can He bless, when the Bible shows us that our condition (spiritual) will prevent it? God will be true to His Word. Our rebuke was revealed through Luke 16:10-12;

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? Luke 16:10-12

            The Lord shows us also how to respond through His Word, as well.

If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land. Leviticus 26:40-42

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

There is also the principle of sowing and reaping regarding our actions;

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 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. Galatians 6:7,8

            These things I share so that you will know; we are all in the same boat, together. Each of us stumble, and need Jesus Christ to cleanse our unrighteousness. This is not a one-time occurrence that comes with salvation, but an ongoing cleansing which will continue until our physical bodies die.

            Now you know that taking debt is a sin (Matthew 6:12); God wants us to trust in Him alone at all times. Even Jesus’ disciples practiced this walk of faith; bidden by their Lord to go from town to town, without physical provision in tow (Mark 6:8). This is an other-worldly way to live, but is a part of our path to eternal life.

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Hebrews 12:11

The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. Proverbs 15:24