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.
24 »No man can be the bondservant of two masters; for either he will dislike one and like the other, or he will attach himself to one and think slightingly of the other. You cannot be the bondservants both of God and of gold.«
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 Pay promptly to all men what is due to them: taxes to those to whom taxes are due, toll to those to whom toll is due, respect to those to whom respect is due, honour to those to whom honour is due.
8 Owe nothing to any one except mutual love; for he who loves his fellow man has satisfied the demands of Law.
28 »Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not sit down first and calculate the cost, asking if he has the means to finish it?« –
30 To every one who asks, give; and from him who takes away your property, do not demand it back.
12 and forgive us our shortcomings, as we also have forgiven those who have failed in their duty towards us;
Contentamento
Seja o vosso viver sem ganância, contentando-vos com o que tendes. O Senhor é suficiente — não nos desamparará.
5 Your lives should be untainted by love for money. Be content with what you have; for God Himself has said, »I will never, never let go your hand: I will never never forsake you.«