I've been asked to give two seminars on the issue of debt at New Word Alive this year (if you're not going to it you really should - see here!).
As I think about preparing this I'd like your help in answering any (or all) of the following questions, or any other questions you think need answering on this subject:
- Have you ever heard a sermon/had a Bible study on debt in your church? If so what did it say is a biblical understanding of debt?
- Do you think it is morally wrong for Christians to have debt? Why/why not?
- Are some sorts of debt more acceptable that others in our churches? Which? Are the reasons for this biblical or cultural?
- Where would you advise someone struggling with debt to go? Do you think sources of help are widely known about?
- If you have experienced problems with debt what consequences did it have for you practically and spiritually?
- What things do you think churches should be doing to address this issue either amongst our own fellowships or in the communities we are located in?
If you have seen any good resources on this issue I'd also appreciate you letting me know! Please use the comments facility on the blog.
Andrew
2 comments:
The talk a certain A Evans gave four years ago was really useful, biblical and really practical. You should look him up .... ;-)
Was going to post few days ago but reading blog crashed work pc somehow so here goes at home!!
My observation that the majority of debt I've observed in Middle England (outside of Mortgages and possibly car loans) has been generated by people wanting what others have and not wanting to save for it, so for both Christians and those who don't call themselves Christians it's been sort of covetousness.
In Church Community one of the great benefits of hanging out as people generally do is that it's not very costly, maybe the host cooks some food, gets Dvd etc but in general that's not bankrupcy causing activity. Like anything we all need to guard our hearts - possibly for those who are fortunate to have more it's worth being cautionary so not to live too flash/affluent a life and take care in not encouraging or modelling a life style which could cause a younger or weaker brother to stumble.
In terms of biblical guidance on this I'd guess most is in Proverbs but in general culturally mortgage and car finance debt seems acceptable whilst poor management style debt isn't. re student debt - As of a more fortunate grant aided generation I'm probably best not commenting!
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