Should You Avoid Debt?

Corey —  August 7, 2012

Too often people in both niches of finances and religion identify a situation as black and white when it is actually gray. I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but the world is much more complex than to have a clear cut answer for every question out there. This is the reason why it is important to be intentional with your finances. Making well-thought-out decisions about what and why you do them is an important step for every individual and family. While it is a wise decision to get advice from those you trust, you have to make the decision.

One of the most challenging questions is whether you should avoid debt like the plague. Most people, including myself, will tell you that it is better to live a debt free life because of the flexibility and freedom that it gives you. Yet, there is also many benefits of using debt to your advantage. Many card companies offer credit card rewards for using their card on everyday purchases. You can leverage your money in real estate by taking out a mortgage instead of buying a home in cash. Thus, I think it is an important question to ask whether one should avoid debt at any cost or if you can use it to your advantage.

Biblical Defense?

One of the most common things that I see among other religious finance blogs is the use of the bible to support one argument or the other. But, if you examine the entirety of the book, you will see that it isn’t black and white.

Pro-Debt Use:

Luke 19:11-27

11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and becausethey supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,[a] he gave them ten minas,[b] and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant![c] Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

While not explicitly about debt this passage in luke helps illustrate the importance of using what we have been given to grow wealth. Most of the time this is use to argue about using our personality strengths for the purpose of God’s work. While this analogy may still apply, this passage has many financial illustrations:

  • The money that the nobleman gave to his servants
  • Talk of interest, bank, minas as a form of investment (note that a mina is about 3 months work for a laborer – imagine getting three months of your salary, how would you invest it?)

On the other hand, there are a number of other biblical verses that are strongly against debt:

Proverbs 22:7 –

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

Romans 13:8 –

 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

While it is important to consider the context of both of these passages (which I don’t have time to explore) the message is quite clear. Owing money to other people or companies can limit your pursuit of happiness and justice. Living in debt can be a debilitating thing.

My Take on Using Debt

While I would love to hear from my readers considering this interesting debate, I will give you my stance on debt (which isn’t normal). For the most part, I live a hard and fast rule of living a debt free life. Again, I said for the most part. I do think that owing money (like getting a mortgage) whether that be for your own home or real estate investments is a great way to go, but within reason. Too many of my friends and family jumped into buying a home before they could afford it and are now under water.

When you are considering using debt to leverage your money and build wealth, be sure to ask yourself it is worth the risk AND whether you can handle the risk. Will you be able to pay the debt should anything terrible happen? Or are you praying to God for a miracle each month to pay the mortgage. People often make a distinction between good debt and bad debt, but I’d like to propose smart debt and stupid debt. Stupid debt is the one that is bordering on insane. This is the type of debt that people get just because they want to – whether that be drive a new car or getting a HUGE house. Smart debt is the idea of using debt responsible to build wealth and obtain financial security much faster. These examples include using credit cards, getting a mortgage that you can afford, etc.

Debt is not something to be used out desperation, but something that can be beneficial to the people who use it correctly. It’s too simplistic to say that you should avoid debt ALWAYS, but then again, it may not be a bad motto if it keeps you from making huge mistakes.

Readers, what’s your take on going into debt?

 

Corey

Posts

Corey is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in religion. While he enjoys learning and writing about Christianity, another one of his new passions is writing about personal finances in order to help others make wise decisions with their money.

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