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 him that lendeth.
27 Do not withhold him from doing good, who is able: if thou art able, do good thyself also.
11 Substance got in haste shall be diminished: but that which by little and little is gathered with the hand shall increase.
24 No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You 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 therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honour, to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbour, hath fulfilled the law.
21 The sinner shall borrow, and not pay again; but the just sheweth mercy and shall give.
28 For which of you having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down, and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish 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 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 manners be without covetousness, contented with such things as you have; for he hath said: I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee.
6 Thou shalt lend to many nations, and thou shalt borrow of no man. Thou shalt have dominion over very many nations, and no one shall have dominion over thee.