Q. I am disturbed that Christians are buying things on credit rather than waiting until they can afford them. Does the Bible say anything about credit financing?

A. The Scriptures command that we "owe no man anything, but to love one another" (Rom. 13:8). On the basis of this verse, some say that the Scriptures prohibit borrowing.

However, lending is taught in the Scriptures (Ex. 22:25; 13:8; Matt. 5:42). If borrowing is condemned in Romans 13:8, then it would seem that lending, which is taught in the Scriptures, would encourage others to sin by borrowing. Therefore, "owe no man anything" cannot be a prohibition against borrowing.

"Owe no man anything" can be understood by considering the verb tense of the Greek text. More accurately, this verse reads, "continue owing no man anything."

That is, do not fail to meet obligations to anyone, whether these obligations are financial or in showing honor (Rom. 13:5-7). However, verse 8 also teaches that the debt of loving one another is never discharged completely. Loving one another is to be continued.

One way to look at borrowing is to consider the root reason for borrowing. Of course, one basic reason for borrowing is covetousness.

Some parents subject themselves and their children to an almost constant barrage of advertisers on television whose job is to convince viewers that they need a certain article, that they deserve to have it, and that they must have it--now.

Providing reasonable housing through a home mortgage loan is different than purchasing items that wear out, rust out or become obsolete almost as soon as the last monthly payment is made.

Also, purchasing a home by time payments is much different than living from hand-to-mouth by charging for perishable or consumable items each month and then paying interest charges for plastic (credit card) purchases.

A large percentage of Christians purchase a home on time payments and end up owning the property, even though they have paid dearly in interest through the years.

But buying a home on payments is generally better than paying rent; and a home mortgage may be a hedge against inflation.

It is disturbing to see that lending institutions are encouraging indiscriminate borrowing on home equities. The idea seems to be: arrange a credit line that is the maximum that you could borrow on your home equity and "write a check" for whatever your heart desires (never think that you will have to pay it back together with interest, and never consider that you may lose your home).

Encouraging anyone to buy anything that is not for his good is not fulfilling the commandment to love one another.

Most interest charges (other than for a home mortgage) could be prevented if the parents would: 1) be willing to drive an older car; 2) do without many of the things that the world wants to sell them; 3) refrain from impulse buying; 4) do as many of their own house and car repairs as possible; 5) use fewer "prepared" foods; 6) refrain from eating out frequently; 7) train their children "to be able to live" without designer clothing and 8) purchase some items at garage sales.

The answer to many interest charges lies in "doing without." Many people are in financial trouble because they have not learned to deny themselves anything.

Solomon learned by experience that things will not buy satisfaction in life. He said, "And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy . . . and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit" (Eccles. 2:10,11).

Verse 11 might be paraphrased to read, "And everything was as meaningless as vapor that appears for a moment and then vanishes, and everything was like chasing the wind and not being able to lay hold on anything." There was no satisfaction in having "things."

Since there is no real satisfaction in having "things," Christians need to learn to find their satisfaction in pleasing God and in serving others, to His glory (Col. 3:23,24; Acts 20:35). (See and and .)

If finances are managed to the glory of God, then there will be a priority on Christian giving, and there should be money to help others. Remember, one of the basic reasons for working is to be able to help others (Eph. 4:28).

Christian parents, other adult Christians and churches need to model "doing without" to children and youth. Further, parents (together with grandparents) need to show real wisdom and restraint and not try (vainly) to show love by giving lavish or inappropriate gifts.

Then parents are in a good position to insist that their children and youth do without things that are contrary to good stewardship.

Another basic root of the problem of inappropriate spending is that many have never learned to "wait." If a person can "wait" to buy something, then he can "wait" a little longer; and if he can "wait" a little longer, he can either "wait" until he can afford it, or he can do without it.

Children "cannot" wait for an anticipated event, and youth "cannot" wait to grow up. They believe that they will never get old enough to do anything.

Sometimes, it appears that the parents cannot wait either. Some parents seem to be pushing their children into adulthood and into adulthood experiences. Sadly, without realizing it, they may be robbing their children of their childhood, the opportunity of learning to "wait" and future contentment.

The Scriptures tell a remarkable story of "waiting." When Jesus was 12 years old, He went to Jerusalem with His parents to observe the Passover. Mary and Joseph went a day's journey back to Nazareth, supposing that Jesus was with some of their relatives.

Then, after a hurried journey back to Jerusalem and three frantic days searching the city,"they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions" (Luke 2:41-47).

His sinless mind had absorbed the Scriptures like a sponge taking up water. His knowledge of the Bible was far beyond His years, and both His knowledge and wisdom astonished the most learned Bible scholars (v. 47).

Mary said to Jesus, "Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you sorrowing" (v. 48).

Jesus, in all sincerity, replied, "Didn't you know that I must be about My Father's business?" (v. 49). His understanding of the Scriptures was far beyond His years. Did He think that it was time for Him to start His ministry?

Yet with all of His understanding of the Scriptures, He was not ready to start His ministry at the age of 12. His ministry was to be the most difficult ministry ever accomplished--the ministry that would change, for eternity, all who would believe in Him and His substitutionary death on the cross.

Apparently, Mary and Joseph told Jesus to go home with them, and in His sinless obedience, He said, "Yes, mother; yes, father"; and He went with them without complaint.

The Scriptures are silent on the years of Jesus' "waiting" to start His ministry, except for the fact that He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (v. 52).

It is assumed that He learned the carpenter trade from Joseph, working by the sweat of His brow (Matt. 13:55). He who had created all things and who had held the atoms together by His own power, was forming objects of wood with crude tools while He waited to begin His ministry (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:17).

He waited, and He waited, and He waited--until He was 30 years old. Eighteen years was a long time to wait for a young man whose mind and knowledge of the Scriptures at the age of 12 was already equal to, or superior to, the most learned men.

Learning to wait should start in childhood. A baby demands immediate gratification, small children find it difficult to wait for anything, youth want it now.

One way to help children learn to wait is to be sure that everyone waits at the table until everyone is served. This is only courtesy, and it is not likely that anyone will starve. Children of five years of age should sit with their hands folded in their laps, waiting for the host or hostess to take the first bite, even though ice cream and cake have been placed in front of them.

If parents, grandparents and others can wait, and if they will wait, children can learn to wait. They can learn to wait for the first bite of ice cream, and they can wait until the appropriate time for each event in life.

If they are not taught to wait, it is not likely that they will "be able" to wait until they can afford to buy "things." It is not likely that they will "be able" to wait until marriage for sexual relations. Instead, it is likely that their wants and desires will control them--simply because they have not learned to "wait."

The answers to problems with Christians' finances? Learn to get satisfaction from pleasing God, rather than vainly attempting to find satisfaction in "things." Learn to serve others and find the happiness that comes from giving rather than receiving (Acts 20:35). Learn to "wait." Learn to "do without."

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