Counselors Draw Lessons from Scripture On Debt and How to Live Within Means
The following is a thought-provoking article written by Betty Lin-Fisher of the Beacon Journal that was published on Sunday, July 27, 2008:
As we continue to take a look at the subject of financial responsibility, are there lessons that can be learned from the religious community?
Many religions, including Judeo-Christian faiths, have deep roots in the idea of stewardship — that money is not owned by people, but given as a resource by God.
Because of that belief, many church leaders preach about stewardship and many churches offer classes and workshops teaching the principles. Many churches also offer free one-on-one financial counseling with trained volunteers.
The Bible teaches followers to be good stewards of their money and not to go into debt, said Michael Ammirati, a volunteer at Hudson Community Chapel who heads the one-on-one financial counseling services.
Pointing to a verse from Proverbs 22:7, ''The rich rule over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender,'' Ammirati said that verse does not prohibit borrowing, but serves as a reminder that debt can place people in ''bondage.''
Many church-based financial counselors will help people distinguish between acceptable debt (for instance, to buy a house) and unacceptable debt (excessive debt on a credit card for discretionary items).
When money is worshipped instead of God, that's when it differs from biblical teachings.
''It's not that we shouldn't have nice things, but we shouldn't be putting those things before our relationship with [God],'' Ammirati said.
At The Chapel, Benevolence Director Colleen Koladzinski said her staff has seen an increase in people searching for biblical answers to their financial challenges, including ''how God designed us and what the purpose of money is for.''
''We've so lost sight of that. If you asked that question to even Christians, they probably wouldn't be able to tell you,'' Koladzinski said.
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