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.
The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,
but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
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.
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
The wicked borrows but does not pay back,
but the righteous is generous and gives;
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.
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.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
For the Lord your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.