Take the case of a married couple in Australia. They make many credit purchases. To meet expenses, both husband and wife work. Though the man’s gross weekly wage is about $180, he receives only $12 of this amount. The rest of the money is used to pay off past debts. So many purchases have been made by this couple that each payment mainly covers the accumulating interest on their debts and very little of the amount is applied to the principal. Family relations are strained, and the husband continually turns to alcoholic beverages for an escape from the pressure of the undesirable financial situation. Under the influence of alcohol, he often destroys possessions. The smashed furniture, broken kitchen items and the like must then be replaced, only adding to the economic problems.

What Bible principles could help this man and others who take on more obligations than they can handle? The Scriptures tell us: “The borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” (Prov. 22:7, NEB)

It is indeed the wise course for a person to analyze beforehand whether he can take on a particular financial responsibility. Otherwise, as the Bible says, the individual may find himself in slavery to the lender. He could become hopelessly indebted.