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.
A rich man commandeth to poor men; and he that taketh borrowing, is servant of the lender.
Do not thou forbid to do well him that may; if thou mayest, also do thou well.
Hasted chattel [or substance], that is, gotten hastily, shall be made less; but that that is gathered little and little with hand, shall be multiplied.
No man may serve two lords, for either he shall hate the one, and love the tother; either he shall sustain the one, and despise the other. Ye may not serve God and riches.
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.
Therefore yield ye to all men debts, to whom tribute, tribute, to whom toll, [or custom for things borne about], toll, [or such custom], to whom dread, dread, to whom honour, honour.
To no man owe ye anything, but that ye love together. For he that loveth his neighbour, hath fulfilled the law.
A sinner shall borrow, and shall not pay back; but a just [or rightwise] man hath mercy, and shall give.
For who of you willing to build a tower, whether he sit not first or he first sitteth not, and counteth the expenses that be needful, if he have to perform?
And give to each that asketh thee, and if a man taketh away those things that be thine, ask thou not again.
and forgive to us our debts, as we forgive to our debtors;
Contentamento
Seja o vosso viver sem ganância, contentando-vos com o que tendes. O Senhor é suficiente — não nos desamparará.
Be your manners without covetousness, satisfied with present things; for he said, I shall not leave thee, neither forsake,
he shall bless thee, as he promised. Thou shalt lend to many folks, and thou shalt not take borrowing of any man; thou shalt be lord of full many nations, and no man shall be lord of thee.