Worried about debt? There’s a lot of pressure these days for Christians to be or strive to be debt free. It’s also controversial. The secular world accepts deficit spending as a normal part of life. But the world accepts many things as normal we as Christians should reject.

Does that mean using credit is sinful? No. By credit itself is not a sin – at least as far as my own studies have taken me. However when it begins to interfere with our relationship with God, then we as Christians need to deal with the problem and our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Some circumstances are unavoidable. Sickness, death or some other catastrophe can cause problems even in very responsible Christians.  However, many of us simply overspend. We buy a bigger house than we can afford, a newer car than necessary or  even buying something because “we deserve it”. This kind of spending usually leads to trouble.

As Christians, we should set our affections above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. If we are focused on things of this earth – material things, then our attentions are misplaced. Then we are in sin. In addition, carrying a large debt burden causes us to take our eyes off Christ and focus on our jobs, our bills and other earthly matters.

Not that we shouldn’t ever attend to earthly things, but we should serve them either. They should be tools to help us store up treasures in heaven.

Money is one of the hardest subjects to discuss. We seem to shy from it and yet be drawn to it at once. Many believe it a sin to be rich. This concept is simply not scriptural. God says he want's us to "prosper and be in health". In other places He points out the lazy or slothful are doomed to poverty. Does that mean poor people are sinners? No!

The fact is many of us have faulty ideas about money and wealth, especially in connection to spiritual matters. The fact is God wants us to do all things to His glory. He wants us to live happy abundant lives. While He never promises we will be free of tribulation, He assures us He is with us in every situation. If God be for us, who can be against us?

As Christians, we should be the freest people on the planet. We serve a loving God who promised to meet all our needs and we look forward to spending eternity with Him. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels. And sometimes we are very susceptible to human error. Rather than condemn ourselves, we should pray, ask forgiveness and for guidance to get back on track and in line with God’s perfect will. Where do you stand?

The articles in these pages will give you some basic information about debt. Some are from a Christian point of view, much are not. You may find enough infromation here to stem the tide and get back on your feet. If not, there's no shame in seeking help.

If you think you’ve gone too far, please seek out counseling. While I’d personally prefer a Christian financial counselor, your needs may be different. Either way, do seek advice from a trusted Christian brother or sister, do compare any advice you get with your understanding of scripture. Seek out God and His wisdom. He says He will never leave you nor forsake you.

In Christ’s name,

Andy Havens

Andy Havens is a writer, marketer and businessman who also happens to be a Christian...or is that the other way around?