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 diminisheth; but he that gathereth by manual-labour shall increase {it}.
24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and will love the other, or he will hold to the 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: to whom tribute {is due}, tribute; to whom custom, custom; to whom fear, fear; to whom honour, honour.
8 Owe no one anything, unless to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; but the righteous is gracious and giveth:
28 For which of you, desirous of building a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, if he have what {is needed} to complete it;
30 To every one that asks of thee, give; and from him that takes away what is thine, ask it not back.
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors,
Contentamento
Seja o vosso viver sem ganância, contentando-vos com o que tendes. O Senhor é suficiente — não nos desamparará.
5 {Let your} conversation {be} without love of money, satisfied with {your} present circumstances; for *he* has said, I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee.
6 For Jehovah thy God will bless thee, as he promised thee; and thou shalt lend on pledge to many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over thee.