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Chapter 14
ETHICAL ISSUES IN BUSINESS
SOLOMON FOUND that the wise exhibit faithfulness, integrity, and trust as companion virtues. Faithfulness blesses one’s health and refreshes one’s soul. It is even desirable in the form of correction by a friend. Unfaithfulness, on the other hand, is destructive by its very nature. It leads to lust, feeds on violence and it frustrates present confidence and future expectation. It is the unfortunate failing of fools. Integrity is a Virtue of lasting value serving as a reliable guiding principle of life and mapping a secure path for the wise to follow. Trust in God is the wise way to receive divine guidance. Trust promotes happiness in the present and prosperity for the future. It enables wise people to feel safe in the presence of impending peril, and frees them from relying on riches. A lack of these virtues leads ultimately to wickedness by way of contempt. Therefore, the wise desire to cultivate faithfulness, integrity, and trust virtues that honor God. Business ethics in all human endeavors should build upon these foundational virtues. He who pursues righteousness and lovefinds lie, prosperity and honor” (ROMANS 21:21). The application of these principles will assure that your life and business will never be the same.
Avoiding Compromise
Avoiding compromise is perhaps one of the toughest things to do. But What does a compromise look like? What form does it take? A compromise can be very sneaky because it can surface at the most inopportune of times. No doubt the best way to avoid a compromise is to decide beforehand what you will do or won’t do. Then, when the need to compromise arises, you will recognize it, and know how to avoid it. How can you know beforehand what you will do? Refer to Scripture: “… in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (PROVERBS 3:6). If you know beforehand what God’s principles are, and have decided wholeheartedly that you are going to follow them, it will be much easier to recognize compromise when you come face to face with it.
Nehemiah was able to identify such a compromise. When the enemy tried to undermine his work (rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem) by having a false counselor advise him to hide in the temple, he responded: ”But I said, ‘Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go! ’ I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him” (NEHEMIAH 6:11-12).
One way to protect yourself from negative aspects of compromise is to have an accountability group of those you trust and be willing to ask for counsel. ”Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise” (PROVERBS 19:20).
It is assumed, for those in business, that your business will have one or more purposes, or goals. If opportunities are weighed against purposes, compromises will be much more easily identified. Compromise often means a tempting shortcut has presented itself. This shortcut may look attractive because of its potential to enhance the bottom line. In fact, probably very few compromises in business are not related in some way to financial appeal.
”For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (I TIMOTHY 6:10-11). ”The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out” (PROVERBS 10:9).
Proverbs’ contribution to the matter of ethics is its concept of justice. It is concerned not with what is acceptable, or what works, but with what is just. At the heart of true wisdom is morality. There is no place among the wise for the unprincipled. Together, justice and wisdom touch all aspects of business. In fact, wise business people avoid discussing or even thinking anything that is unethical. Because ethics affects everything in a person’s business, this becomes another good reason to avoid being ”unequally yoked” in partnership.
Any time you find yourself involved in a suspected unethical business arrangement you should do your best to extricate yourself, for ”The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy; he is put under oath and dare not testify” (PROVERBS 29:24).
From this verse it would seem better to be unemployed!
Justice in business demands fair value for a fair price. An honest business person will not sell low quality goods or render mediocre services. Similarly, she will take care in treating all customers fairly for her Master despises injustice. That means you are to be honest “… for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence” (PROVERB3:32). Honesty means more than merely telling the truth; it also means not telling a lie or even a half truth in order to be profitable.
Being In Debt
Borrowing Money
The legal principle of bankruptcy has been perverted. Some may try to rationalize it by saying that if someone gets too deeply in debt they should be able to liquidate and make a fresh start. But that only treats a symptom, not the problem. In many instances, the underlying problem that brought them to the verge of bankruptcy will return, perhaps again and again. The basic problem is the violation of a biblical principle.
God’s Word teaches that how we handle our money is the clearest reflection of our spiritual value system. Excessive debts, even bankruptcies, are not our real problems. They are more accurately external indicators of internal spiritual problems. Literally, they are attitudes reflected in actions. That is not meant to indict those who are in debt or who file for bankruptcy, but to remind everyone that Christ said those who are faithful with little can be trusted with much more, and those who cannot handle a little will not be put in charge of much.
Would God direct someone to go bankrupt? Not likely, since this would refute His own Word. In Psalm 37:21, God’s Word says that it is a wicked man who borrows but does not repay. God desires that you be righteous, not wicked. Would God forgive you if you were to go bankrupt? God indicates He will forgive any sin — past, present and future — if you confess (agree with God) that it is wrong. Bankruptcy is a legal remedy, rather than a scriptural remedy. It is understandable that under the pressure of excessive debts, a Christian would want to yield to a quick-fix, but it does not make bankruptcy any more scriptural.
Responsibility To Pay Debt
Never in God’s Word, do you find a reference to Christians avoiding their creditors. Some may claim that during the year of Jubilee a person could just forego all of his indebtedness. This is an incorrect assumption about the Year of Jubilee and about the Year of Remission. By Jewish law every seventh year all debts due by a Jew were to be forgiven by his brother. But that was always the obligation of the lender. That is, God was saying to the lender, ”I want you to forgive your brother’s indebtedness; I do not want you to hold them indebted forever.” It was never the right of the borrower. In other words, you are responsible for your actions and attitude before God. You are not responsible for someone else’s actions or attitude. You are to be concerned with what God is saying to you, rather than interpreting what He says to another person.
In the Year of Remission, every 49th year, there was a requirement that the Jew turn back all the land he had either purchased or assumed. That admonition too, was addressed to the landholder, not to the man who surrendered his land. If the Jew who held the land decided he was not going. to give it back, you could not go take it from him. The principle was specifically applicable to the lender, not the borrower.
God directs that you pay when something is due, and what is due. That is an absolute requirement of the Lord, unless a creditor says he does not require that you pay it, which is the only way to get out of it. If you borrow money with an absolute understanding that it must be paid back — with no exceptions, no matter what is borrowed, no matter how long it takes — it will make you much more cautious about borrowing.
Likewise, from a lender’s perspective, if you realize that God, at any time, may direct you to forgive that indebtedness, saying: ”I do not want him to ever have to pay it back; you are to make a gift to him of that money,” then you will be more careful about lending money.
Alternatives To Bankruptcy
What does one do when creditors are unresponsive to all appeals? We are not responsible for what the creditors do or do not do. You are responsible before God for your actions. It is recommended that you respond literally according to Proverbs 6:2-3:
“If you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words ofyour mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you havefallen into your neighbor’s hands: G0 and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor! ” (PROVERBS 6:2-3).
If, for example, you have been trapped by your own vow, you must go and humble yourself before your creditor to try to work out an agreement. If this is refused, and you are forced into bankruptcy by creditors actions, you are legally released from the debts but, not released scripturally.
Involuntary Bankruptcy?
Several creditors who wish to attach all available assets and force an individual or corporation to liquidate can initiate an involuntary bankruptcy. A biblical case can be made for the position that since the creditors initiated the action, they have settled any and all claims. But this action is often necessary to preempt a debtor from liquidating all assets and spending the money. For a Christian, the obligation to repay according to the original terms still exists.
Reorganization Of Corporation Business
According to bankruptcy codes, a business can elect to come under a court administered repayment plan. The court determines how much of the indebtedness a business can pay, and then directs the creditors to operate within that plan. There is no biblical reason why a Christian could not utilize such a remedy, provided that once the court-appointed percentage was repaid, the remaining portion was also repaid. This would be true as well for individual bankruptcy.
The key element in any decision involving a legitimate loan made to one Christian by another is that all actions honor the Lord. In a society obsessed by desires for quick riches followed by a quick court remedy for the subsequent havoc reaped, God has set no ”easy-in, easy-out” principles. We serve a Holy and righteous God who desires that all people come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. If any willful action on our part impedes that process in the life of another, He is displeased. Just try sharing your ”faith” with a creditor involved in a bankruptcy, and the true loss will be evident.
Repayment Of A Vow
A vow is a promise. Whenever people borrow money, they make a promise to repay the loan according to agreed-upon conditions. Repayment is not an option; it’s an absolute, as far as God is concerned. All rights fall to the lender, and the borrower literally becomes the lender’s servant.
As representatives of Jesus Christ before the world, Christians are admonished to think ahead and consider the consequences of their actions. This may explain why there are so many principles that deal with borrowing and lending, especially the misuse of credit. But for a Christian who borrows, it is in effect a vow to repay. ”When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it” (ECCLESIASTES 5:4-5).
Should Christians Avoid Borrowing Money?
Borrowing in business today is so common that most Christians do not question either the wisdom or logic of it. As recently as a hundred years ago, such borrowing would have been viewed as foolhardy, both for the lender and for the borrower. But the issue involves a biblical principle.
Does God’s Word prohibit borrowing in order to start or operate a business? If not, are there any guidelines for borrowing? A study of biblical principles for borrowing is really more one of degree. That is, how much borrowing is acceptable and how is the debt to be secured? An unsecured debt requires a personal endorsement as surety. Surety is a biblical principle involving money that is most commonly violated. It means assuming an obligation to pay (a debt) without an assured way of repaying it. Proverbs 22:26-27 tells us: ”Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.”
If borrowing is not prohibited in Scripture (only non-repayment), but at the same time we are warned about creating surety, then how is a Christian to borrow? Other questions follow: should a Christian in business extend credit to others and, if so, should he charge interest?
Lending To Others
For Christians in business there are principles that apply to both borrowing and lending. This matter of finding it necessary to extend credit is often a difficult issue for Christians. Many times, lending to another is less than voluntary. For instance, whenever materials are shipped without prepayment, credit is extended, which really constitutes a loan. There are also other occasions when loans are made outright, both to believers and nonbeliever, e.g., through a bank or by personal loan.
An old cliche’ states, ”The definition of a distant friend is a close friend who owes you money.” While this may not always be true, it contains enough truth to make us want to evaluate lending on the basis of biblical principles. But first, let’s evaluate it from a human viewpoint. Why would anyone want to lend another person money? There are several logical reasons:
To make a profit. When you place money in a savings account, you have loaned the bank money. Obviously, you would like your money back, plus interest. The interest represents a profit on the loan you made.
Because they have a need. You may know someone who is short of funds for a business or a personal need. You want to help, but feel you cannot give the money outright.
Because they asked. Many Christians lend money because they were asked and were too timid to refuse. This is typically true where close friends or family are involved.
It does not take much research to discover that the precedent of lending extends far back in history. No record exists of a society that operated for any period of time without utilizing borrowing and lending. Rather, it is as old as man’s written records, and common during the lives of Moses, Solomon and Paul. Some of the earliest records of mankind are account ledgers describing the credit offered and collected by merchants. The penalties for non-payment were harsh: imprisonment or mutilation. Almost without exception, the lending laws enacted heavily favored the lender and protected his ”rights.” Because a merchant knew he would collect the money owed him, a steady flow of commerce was assured. Obviously, a borrower used great discretion in determining how much debt he would take upon himself, lest he lose his freedom along with his money.
A Biblical Principle: The Ability To Lend Is A Blessing
It would be much simpler if God’s Word merely prohibited being a borrower or a lender. But this admonition is found only in the book of “opinions.” God does not say anyone must lend, but neither does He say you cannot lend. If a Christian is engaged in a lending business, this is a vital biblical issue for him. If God’s Word prohibited lending, that prohibition would, of course, apply also to an individual’s working as a lender. Some Christians in the banking business have asked about being involved in lending. It might be that God would not want an individual to be involved in lending because of the morals or ethics of the day, but it would not be because lending in itself is unscriptural.
Interestingly, the ability to lend is one of God’s blessings promised to those obedient to Him. In Deuteronomy 28:12, God’s Word says,
”The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.”
Thus, God promises a surplus that can be loaned (at interest) to enhance His people’s prosperity. From all this you see that lending per se is not prohibited in Scripture. On the other hand, God’s Word has much to say about collecting (or accumulating) that you must heed as you serve Him.
Lending At Interest
As mentioned earlier, one motive for lending is to make a profit. Making a profit can result from lending when interest is charged (literally, usury) or by taking an unspecified return (investing). Until recently, questions about lending money at interest did not cause much concern in Christian circles because interest rates were low, and most Christian borrowers did not think much about it. However, when rates began to climb, feelings escalated as well. As a result, lenders have been recipients of harsher judgment by those around them. God’s principles, however, are not governed by prevailing interest rates. Nor should our decisions be based on whether or not we “feel” we can get a good (or bad) deal.
Little in Scripture deals with specifics of lending and charging interest, but what there is seems very clear: at least on personal loans do not charge interest to your ”brothers.” ”Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest” (DEUTERONOMY 23:19). A loan can be made to anyone, but loans to those within God’s family should demonstrate that God can provide apart from charging interest to one another.
In regard to lending to others, God’s Word says, ”You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a brother Israelite, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess ” (DEUTERONOMY 23:20). Thus it is apparently permissible to charge interest on loans to nonbelievers, even personal loans. This does not mean that you must charge interest. God may well convict someone about extending a loan at no interest, as a testimony in order to share the message of Christ.
According to Luke 6:35, lending should not always be undertaken to gain profit. ”But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
It should be noted that the context of the above verses talks about lending and charging interest where the poor and needy are concerned. The context also refers to personal or charitable loans, not for commercial or productive loans. This distinction will be discussed later.
Lending vs Giving
Hopefully, it will be clear by now that lending is not unbiblical, even lending at interest, under most circumstances. But there are some occasions when God would have you give rather than lend. This is particularly true where basic necessities are involved. However, difficulties arise in determining what constitutes a ”necessity.” Needs vary in different societies. A car may constitute a need for someone in the US, whereas it might be an extravagant luxury for a person in a developing nation. You may feel that you are suffering if you do not have a comfortable home, while someone in the Middle East feels blessed in finding a rundown apartment that still has electricity.
This principle of lending regardless of whether or not the money can be repaid is shown in Luke 6:34: ”And If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ’sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full.” The implication is to give to those who have needs even though they would seemingly never be able to repay or reciprocate. This is not ”giving” in the normal sense, because normally giving comes from funds which have been set aside for ”God’s work.” This type of giving comes from undesignated funds. In other words, God may be testing you to see where ”your heart” is. ”For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (MATTHEW 6:21).
Collecting Debts
What limits a Christian’s collection rights for debts? Should you sue to collect a legitimate obligation owed you? If Christians become lenders, the question of collecting debts inevitably arises. If a Christian must submit to the authority of others who make these decisions, then it becomes a matter of obeying that authority. But, assuming the decision is yours to make, how far should you go in attempting to collect on that obligation? Should a collection agency be used to pursue a nonpaying customer? I Such a u is not an easy one, but every Christian must realize that God judges attitudes more than actions. You cannot absolve yourself by allowing others to Violate biblical principles on your behalf. Lenders must face certain decisions about collections. If you are not willing to confront borrowers who refuse to pay what is due, it is better not to lend.
It is a certainty, especially in business, that Christians who are involved in any way with lending will be tested in the area of collecting. But the boundaries within which Christians are to operate are much narrower than those of the world. According to God’s Word, neither lending nor collecting requires that a Christian sit passively while someone refuses to pay what is owed; yet it does not allow us to use the world’s tactics to collect. A relevant passage in Scripture states, ”Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” (MATTHEW 18:32-33).
Collecting From Christians
Christians are clearly admonished in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians not to take another Christian before the secular court for any reason. This would seem to apply to the collection of debts. ”If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints?” (I CORINTHIANS 6:1). Scripture says it is better to be defrauded than to lose our witness by suing one another. ”The very fact that you have. lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” (I CORINTHIANS 6:7). This does not, however, leave Christians with no recourse if a loon legitimate loan is not repaid by another Christian. According to Matthew 18:15-17, you are to confront the issue (sin) publicly, even before the church if necessary.
”If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ’every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (MATTHEW 18:15-17).
It is sad that few Christians seem willing to submit themselves to justice according to God’s Word. Instead, borrowers often prefer to submit to the world’s law because it protects their assets. In addition, operating by the world’s law allows lenders to inflict some measure of punishment, forcing a borrower to pay by garnishing wages. God’s system differs in that it always seeks restoration of fellowship; the money involved is of secondary importance.
Collecting From Non-Christians
Many Christians assume that since Paul said we are not to sue other Christians, then it must be okay to sue non-Christians to collect debt. In order to understand the principle behind suing non-Christians to collect debts, it is necessary to look at your broad purpose as a Christian: to represent our Lord, Jesus
Christ. You are told in Romans 10:9 to ”believe” in your heart. This means to “live in accordance with.” In other words, you are to let your lives demonstrate what you say with your mouth. In Luke 6:30-31, the Lord said, ”Give to everyone who asks you, and if any one takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” While this does not state in absolute terms that a Christian is never to sue to collect a debt, it certainly implies that God desires a higher standard of behavior from believers than He expects from others. Everything you do must be measured against eternal values and not short-term profit or loss. ”We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited” (11 CORINTHIANS 6:3).
Business Loans
Charging Interest
The issue of charging interest in business dealings arises frequently, particularly when Christians lend to each other. Given the historical context, biblical commands condemn interest on personal and charitable loans, but not commercial or productive loans. The Old Testament does not directly address commercial loans for the purposes of starting or expanding businesses. It addresses an agricultural, not a commercial society, and appears to focus on lending for consumer purposes rather than productive purposes.
By the time of the New Testament, Israel’s economy had changed so much from the Old Testament days that usury (the charging of interest) was common practice, even among God’s people. Therefore, Jesus did not condemn receiving usury. He even accepts the concept of banks and lending institutions charging interest by affirming that the wicked servant should have put his money in the bank and receive interest, ”Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest” (Matthew 25:27).
Collecting Of Business Loans
No doubt one of the most difficult areas associated with lending is the business loan. Usually, this kind of loan is made to extend credit for services rendered or products purchased. Obviously, the lender incurs out-of-pocket expenses for such things as time, utilities or products when making the loan, so when the loan is not repaid as agreed, additional hardships may be experienced. It is easy to understand that the lender, Christian or not, could feel resentment. Therefore, a special caution should be added here to avoid striking out in vengeance. Instead, try to deal in love with those who do not pay. The following are a few alternatives to suing or to using a collection agency.
Contact the Individual Directly
Many who feel unable to pay a bill will avoid the creditor out of embarrassment. In this case a well worded letter or phone call stating your willingness to work out a reasonable repayment plan may help to restore the relationship. ”A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (PROVERBS 15:1).
On occasion harsher means will be necessary. But remember, God’s concern is for restored relationships. Therefore, if you desire to demonstrate His character, then wisdom and discernment are critical.
Work Out an Alternative Payment Plan
Everybody can pay something toward what they owe. But again, embarrassment may prevent them from making an offer to pay a little each month. Lenders must do everything possible to insure that borrowers are given every opportunity to repay what is owed. It may mean devising a barter plan so that the borrower can work off the loan through providing services such as cleaning, painting or yard work. Without exception, it is recommended that an unbiased financial counselor be used as an intermediary to work out a fair and equitable repayment plan. “Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice” (PROVERBS 16:8).
Use of Collection Agencies
Using a collection agency is not necessarily the same as suing. However, for a Christian, the collection service automatically becomes an extension of his or her witness. For this reason it is important to consider what kind of a witness a particular collection agency would present. Since in the collection process a partnership is formed (or at least implied), it would seem wise to use another believer to pursue an obligation owed. You can be sure that whatever image the collection service presents will be reflected back. Merely selling collection accounts does not relieve a Christian creditor$ of that kind of obligation. A Christian must always represent Christ’s position, including His position on collections. Matthew 5:39-40 summarizes in excellent fashion what your attitude toward others should be:
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.”
Considering aspects of liability, you must first determine what your position should be. According to Scripture, you are to be stewards, or managers. Everything belongs to God; He is the owner not only of the cattle, but the hills as well. Perhaps the hardest thing for you to do is to relinquish control (and ownership) to God. You only fool yourself if you believe He needs “your money” or ”your things” to assist in His Kingdom.
Your position, should you be sued, is to turn the other cheek — to offer your coat as well. Scripture does not say, ”fight back, counter sue.” It says, ”In all that you do, demonstrate My character. Show love and compassion, for if I am for you, who can be against you?”
Lending Summary
Good business practices should always be in force when one considers or makes a loan. Underlying all these practices should be biblical principles concepts to be applied when charging interest, creating surety, making collections, repaying loans and forgiving debts.
Christians should not make a loan without also being prepared to give it or lose it.
”But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (LUKE 6:35).
Interest may be charged, but not for a personal loan to a poor or needy brother in Christ.
”Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything
else that may earn interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a brother Israelite, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess” (DEUTERONOMY 23:19-20).
Charging interest on business loans is acceptable and considered good stewardship, provided biblical principles of justice are followed.
”Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest” (MATTHEW 25:27).
While you should not create surety (or guarantors) for yourselves, you need to counsel others to whom you loan, or assist in acquiring loans, about the matter of creating surety for themselves.
“A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for .his neighbor” (PROVERBS 17:18). ”Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.” (PROVERBS 22:26-27).
You have the right to collect debts, but need to take care about the way in which you do it.
“If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? But instead, one brother goes to law against another — and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (I CORINTHIANS 611-10).
Always expect to repay a loan.
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously” (PSALM37:21). “When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fufillfl your vow” (ECCLESIASTES 5:4).
Debt forgiveness should always be a possibility
At the end of every seven years you must cancel all debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the Lord’s time for cancelling debts has been proclaimed. You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your brother owes you. However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over nations bud none will rule over you” DEUTERONOMY 15:1-6).
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