Sunday, July 29, 2007

Generosity

I've talked a lot up here about the warnings of borrowing money. It is clear that in today's world, it has become a trap. What I have come to learn over the years is that borrowing money is a symptom of wanting things before you can afford them. It is also a symptom of selfishness. We should be helping others in need, not lending money to them at high interest rates, or any interest rate at all.

Materialism is the disease, generosity is the ancdedote. There are people who find themselves in debt due to medical bills. This is the cause for half of bankruptcies. This wouldn't happen if we, as a community, helped those in need. Instead, we are letting these people borrow money to stay afloat, and they fall into the debt trap. Under the new bankruptcy laws they are likely to not be given the opportunity to start over when they cannot afford to pay for a bankruptcy, or fall out of bankruptcy and lose the protection from their creditors due to the unrealistic and unforgiving repayment terms according to the law. What we need to realize is that it is only by the grace of God that we are not in that situation ourselves. Healthcare is expensive, and without very diligent financial planning for emergencies, we are only 30 days away from a downward spiral into the trap. Even then we can't do it alone. We need to learn to help others in need, so when we are in need, someone will help.


1 John 3:17-18
17 If a rich person sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against his brother, how can he claim that he loves God? 18 My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.
TEV

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