BT27: A couple in deep conflict comes to you for counseling about a certain matter. The husband says that they need a new car and wants to finance it through their local bank, since they do not have the money to pay for it in cash. His wife, basing her argument on Romans 13:8 ("Owe no man anything"), believes it is wrong to borrow money to purchase the car. The husband says he does not think that the verse refers to their situation and wants to know what you think. What will you do?

In Romans 13:8, based on the NIV Bible, the Apostle Paul wrote, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." The same verse in the KJV Bible says, "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." Given the two translations, the NIV much more clearly expresses what Paul was trying to communicate. During His earthly ministry, Jesus had often spoken about the importance of loving one another, and in Matthew 22:39, He said that His followers were to love their neighbors as themselves. That teaching had originally come from Leviticus 19:18, and the Lord re-emphasized it again to those around Him. In John 13:34-35, He said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

The lady that was distressed about her husband borrowing money to finance a new car was not correctly interpreting Romans 13:8. First, Paul was expressing his thoughts about loving one another more than about owing money to one another. Second, the Greek wording, which is more clear in the NIV Bible, shows that Paul was using the analogy of someone being late on his or her debt payments rather than simply having the debt in the first place. Third, the teaching was more cultural bound because the people of those days lived in smaller, closer communities than people today. They did not have to commute to a job that was often many miles away. Instead, they were shepherds and farmers, and they could survive more readily on a cash basis. In today's culture, the person that will not finance a car purchase will probably never earn or have enough money to pay cash for a car. Then, the passage in I Timothy 5:8, which applies to the man that will not care for his family, becomes an issue.

Of note, however, is the fact that the woman was not wrong to be cautious about borrowing money because Proverbs 22:7 says that the borrower is servant to the lender. People should not borrow anymore often, in terms of frequency, than necessary, and they should also not borrow anymore money, in terms of amount, than necessary. A couple of important biblical principles that relate to finances are for people to live within their means and for them to also be good stewards. The Lord is not honored or glorified when a Christian takes on debt foolishly. But He is honored and glorified when one of His followers cautiously cares for each thing to which he or she has been entrusted, and that includes money.

Tom of Bethany