Dívidas
As dívidas podem escravizar, mas a Bíblia nos ensina princípios de sabedoria financeira: não se endividar imprudentemente, pagar o que se deve e confiar em Deus como provedor.
O devedor é servo do credor
O rico domina sobre o pobre, e o que toma emprestado é servo do que empresta. A Bíblia convida à liberdade financeira.
7 The rich ruleth over the poor;
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished;
But he that gathereth by labor shall have increase.
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Princípios financeiros
Pagai a todos o que lhes é devido. Deus promete que o justo não será desamparado e que a bênção virá sobre os obedientes.
7 Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again;
But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.
28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it?
30 Give to every one that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Contentamento
Seja o vosso viver sem ganância, contentando-vos com o que tendes. O Senhor é suficiente — não nos desamparará.
5 Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.
6 For Jehovah thy God will bless thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over thee.