by Steve Hale
"Owe nothing to apyone except to love one another, for fie who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law" ( Romans 13:8, NASV).
In Romans 13, Paul addresses our responsibility to civil government. He tells us that in regard to civil government, we should: (1) "be in subjection" (13:1); (2)
to oppose legitimate government is to oppose God (13:2); (3) do good and have no fear (13:3); (4) understand it is a minister of God (13:4a); (5) it does not bear the sword in vain (13:5b); (6) be in subjection for the sake of our conscience ( Romans 13:6); (7) pay our taxes, customs, fear, and honor ( Romans 13:7); (8) owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another ( Romans 13:8).
What? "...owe nothing to anyone...?" Surely he merely means our obliga'tion to the government? "...owe nothing to anyone...?"
When we pay our taxes, we are in essence paying a debt ( Romans 13:7). The idea of vengeance, like "I'll pay you back for that," is negated with the attitude to love one another ( Romans 13:8). Earlier, in describing love without hypocrisy, Paul said: "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY, SAYS THE LORD'" ( Romans 12:19). Our role is to heap coals of fire by doing good: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" ( Romans 12:21).
The key here is responsibility. As "light" and "salt," we Christians should be careful about debt. It's sad when some Christians have less integrity when it comes to financial matters than people in the world. No real Christian would want to be guilty of a ruse.
Young couples just starting-out or young people just launching into college or careers are especially susceptible to drowning debt. It is here, perhaps, where we can offer some practical advise.
1. Pay as you go. If you can't pay for it with cash, you don't need it...yet. Sure, there are exceptions to this, and emergencies do arise. But, you will not start out with what your parents had. It took years for them to accumulate what they have.
2. Pay credit cards! 18% interest, or more? No one is doing you a favor by issuing you a credit card at some outlandish interest rate. Quite the contrary! Incredible debts have been accumulated at "loan shark" interest! One such couple, for example, accumulated $100,000 + in credit card debt.
Just to pay the minimum payments, it cost some $3400 a month! Avoid credit cards, and if you do obtain them, use them only in true emergencies ( Exodus 22:25-27)!
3. Pray about financial decisions ( James 1:5).
Our Father owns and created everything. He knows best!