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March 25, 2008
Is debt a spiritual problem?
John Yeats, Director of Communications, with the Louisana State Baptist Convention views debt as a spiritual problem. He writes in "When debt becomes demonic":
Statisticians often find no major difference in the personal finances of American Christians and the general population. However, the failure of American Christians to trust God with prudent financial decisions does not mean that Christians don’t have an available solution. Obedience to God in the area of biblical financial stewardship can tame the demon of consumer debt and set the Christian free to be a conduit of kingdom resources for the glory of God. [emphasis mine]If we believe that debt is first a spiritual problem and second a behavioral issue, then we must not rely only on behavioral modification programs to provide a lasting effect. We must treat the underlying cause which is an incomplete understanding of our time, talent and money as assests to be managed for the Kingdom rather than personal wealth to be spent at will.
If we believe that debt is a spiritual problem, then it deserves a spiritual answer. The church should be the venue through which people find spiritual and financial transformation.
Below are some previous posts that remind us that the time for the church to respond is now:
American debt
Howard Dayton on debt
Two main causes of debt
Americans and Debt
Spending habits of church and non-church members
Salvation through stewardship
Get rich slowlyPosted by bstroup at March 25, 2008 1:43 AM
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