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The Pastoral Lens
A Debt Left Owing
Tuesday, January 7, 2003
Every year at this time, after the Christmas holidays have passed and the new year has begun, there is that awful leftover (no, not your grandmother's turkey casserole!) that hangs there in January. It's called "credit card balance." Our consumer-oriented society is plagued with this twentieth century ill due to our never-ending passion for "more" here in North America. Oh, it's not all our fault, mind you. After all, who can resist all those brightly-coloured ads from the retail giants that stream into our homes each year in November and December with their pitch for stuff they are sure we need. Yes, these ads come during the rest of the year, too, but the lacquer is particularly thick at year end.So, it's off to "Stuff-Mart" we go ( a term coined by the makers of Veggie Tales), "heedless of the wind and weather" to start the charging frenzy. If the credit cards made it through the pre-Christmas pandemonium, then there is the Boxing Week sales to negotiate, as well. It all adds up to a HUGE amount on our January statement. Funny, when we were out there buying away it seemed like this day would never come, yet like the inevitable death and taxes, the day finally arrives. As a pastor, I am well aware that this phenomenon exists. All I have to do is consult the giving records for December and January. December's boom gives way to January's gloom. If December is the party, then January is definitely the hangover!
The Bible has a fair bit to say about the folly of debt and its control over the human race. However, I want to focus on the one debt that the Lord commands to be ongoing. Yes, you read that correctly. There is one debt that we are to pay on continually, yet never finish. It's found in Romans 13:8: "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law." All other debts need to be paid up in full but not this one.
Let me ask you something? Is this a debt you can live with? Are there people in your life that you owe some love to and haven't made a payment in a while? What about people who have hurt you? Do you hurt them in return, or are you willing to do what the Lord says and return good for evil (Rom. 12:17-21)? My guess is that most of us are behind a few payments. Don't worry, though, because I have great news for you. God isn't wanting to foreclose on your life for your negligence. He is anxious for you to start with a payment, regardless of how small it may be. He will help you with it and with all subsequent payments. Why not ask Him for help? He is only too willing to come to your aid.
