Christians in Debt?

Is it ever permissible?

Discuss!

No! thoughts in pending, more to come

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.(Rom 13:8b)
Edit: SBG, I agree, that isn't the main idea in this passage, it was simply what came to mind first,.

I've never been convinced entirely that that verse means that we shouldn't get in debt, but I am personally of the opinion that it is very unwise for Christians to allow themselves to fall into debt. Proverbs shows all over how unwise it is. It doesn't have to be sinful, but it is hardly ever a good idea.

I've never been convinced entirely that that verse means that we shouldn't get in debt, but I am personally of the opinion that it is very unwise for Christians to allow themselves to fall into debt. Proverbs shows all over how unwise it is. It doesn't have to be sinful, but it is hardly ever a good idea.

I might come back with more thoughts later, but I would generally say that it is a bad idea to go into debt. When, however, it is unavoidable (as in the sharecropping system of the South after the Civil war, where the landowners would force the African American farmers into debt in order to keep them in submission), I would say that it is permissible. Again, though, one should never desire, seek, or associate oneself with debt as a matter of principle, if possible.

They'd better not be in debt with us, you know how we are about monies.

I don't believe it is ever wise to get into debt. I can't say for others, but my personal conviction is that debt is wrong. (Rom. 13:8, Prov. 22:26-27) From stories of debt in the Bible, we can gather that it will just get us into trouble. (2 Kings 4, Mt. 18, Lk. 7) I do think we should lend to others if they need it, but with the mindset that it is a gift, and to not expect it to be returned. (Mt. 5:42, 6:12)

I believe that it's wrong to get into debt for something you do not +need.+ But, sometimes it is necessary. For example, if you or a family member suddenly is admitted to a hospital for one reason or another, if you can't pay all of the bill at once, a payment plan might work better for your family. You'd still be "in debt", but it's necessary.

I believe that it's wrong to get into debt *for something you do not +need.+* But, sometimes it is necessary. For example, if you or a family member suddenly is admitted to a hospital for one reason or another, if you can't pay all of the bill at once, a payment plan might work better for your family. You'd still be "in debt", but it's necessary.

Ditto!

I believe that it's wrong to get into debt *for something you do not +need.+* But, sometimes it is necessary. For example, if you or a family member suddenly is admitted to a hospital for one reason or another, if you can't pay all of the bill at once, a payment plan might work better for your family. You'd still be "in debt", but it's necessary.

Ditto!

Exactly. It is in most cases unwise, but if it is entirely necessary, it is permissible.

I agree with that. It's necessary - you can't avoid it! I wasn't quite meaning that type of debt, though - what I was talking about was like if you went into debt for something you didn't need, and weren't working as hard and as fast as you could to pay of the debt. In the hospital scenario, you don't have a choice - you or your family needs medical attention right away, and you pretty much have to agree to pay whatever they charge you! What I meant was more like voluntary debt.

I believe that it's wrong to get into debt *for something you do not +need.+* But, sometimes it is necessary. For example, if you or a family member suddenly is admitted to a hospital for one reason or another, if you can't pay all of the bill at once, a payment plan might work better for your family. You'd still be "in debt", but it's necessary.

Ditto!

I would say Ditto but that would be slightly repetitive. lol

What about collage debt? It is practically impossible to go to collage without getting in debt…

I think it is wrong to go into debt for college. It is possible to go to college without getting into debt.

A 'collage' is a artistic composition of fragments used to create arts.

That is certainly true. You have an excellent point, Carissa! Still, high-level colleges (which provide more specialized course) are generally more expensive, necessitating student loans even with scholarships and financial aid. Of course, one can attend free community colleges (which, by the way, are still great places to learn!), but attending higher-caliber schools would be exceptionally difficult to pay up-front. :)

I am currently attending a small private university with tuition costs of over $20,000 a year, and have not had to take out any loans so far, and do not plan to (I have a lot of academic and performance [music/theatre] scholarships). However, if I go to graduate school to study veterinary medicine, such scholarships will be unavailable, and I will have to take out loans.
@Carissa - would you consider graduate school to be included in 'college'? Feel free to tell me that I should never go into debt for college - it's refreshing to hear someone be willing to say what they think without being overly concerned about whether or not the other person will be offended. :) However, your previous comment is rather broad and I'm wondering if it's something you've thought through…

I agree with that. It's necessary - you can't avoid it! I wasn't quite meaning that type of debt, though - what I was talking about was like if you went into debt for something you didn't need, and weren't working as hard and as fast as you could to pay of the debt. In the hospital scenario, you don't have a choice - you or your family needs medical attention right away, and you pretty much have to agree to pay whatever they charge you! What I meant was more like voluntary debt.

In that case, I'd still say it's unwise. You're putting unnecessary pressure on yourself for something you can live without. Maybe, depending on what it might be, it could be beneficial to you and your family, but I'd still say that getting into debt is unwise. Perhaps in the case of credit cards, a case can be made that as long as you pay off your credit company as soon as you can, it's fine. And, I might agree there, but it's still risky. But then, so is crossing the street. I believe it's all a matter of what your convictions and conscience allow you to do.

Yes, I would. I don't think it is right to go into debt for something like that. Because it is definitely possible to go to graduate school/college without getting into debt.

I think it is wrong to go into debt for college. It is possible to go to college without getting into debt.

Agreed! Unnecessary debt leads to too much trouble in the end. Think of all those people who are starting out their prime years with a huge burden of college debt on their shoulders!

OK, am I not making any sense here? What I mean to say is that I do NOT think debt is acceptable unless absolutely necessary, like if someone needed immediate medical attention at a hospital to save their life. This is how I feel - I have no idea how God might be working on someone else's heart about this matter.

My parents use credit cards, and I think that is probably fine as long as you keep strict regulations for yourself about how soon you need to pay it off.