p. 4 | Avoiding Debt by T. E. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 17, 1913

Avoiding Debt

By T. E. Bowen

T. E. BOWEN

IN an article published some weeks ago we made mention of how Jesus avoided debt by providing for his disciples beforehand, or as the needs of the cause developed. Also, with what recklessness people in this age borrow money often to maintain a show of wealth, and how easily one may become involved in debt by procuring things, almost anything, upon the instalment plan — all styled "easy payments."

Church Debts

Shall this principle of carefully avoiding debt by economizing and practising self-denial, apply to the individual and the family, and stop here? Or does it still have force when individuals and families band themselves together into church relationship? In providing places for worship, shall plans be adopted which result in creating a large obligation of debt to rest upon the church for a long time to come? Is that which has been accounted a thing to be shunned and avoided when applied to the individual and the family now become a thing to be countenanced and desired when applied in a more direct sense to the work of God? Does that which has been styled an enemy to the peace and contentment of the individual and home, now become robed as an angel of light and admitted to an honored pew in the church?

Bible Instruction for Erecting Houses of Worship

The wise man wrote: "Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house." Prov. 24: 27. God's three great dwelling-places, in which he was worshiped and in which he visibly dwelt, were built in this manner. The tabernacle in the wilderness was dedicated without debt, all materials provided beforehand; likewise Solomon's temple — probably the grandest structure that ever adorned this earth; also the temple rebuilt by Ezra and his associates after the captivity. Money, timber, gold, silver, stones, and all building materials needed were first provided either by gifts direct from the people or by kings, as in the preparations made for the temples at Jerusalem by David, Solomon, and Artaxerxes. Ample provision for building these houses of worship was made first; then the structures went up to a finish, and that, too, without debt.

When the house of the Lord at Jerusalem needed repairing in the days of Jehoash, king of Judah, this same plan was adopted of first providing the necessary means and then doing the work. We read: "Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the Lord: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the Lord. And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the Lord. And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the Lord: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the Lord, and to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the Lord, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it." 2 Kings 12: 9-12.

The Principle for Building Laid Down by Jesus

Jesus laid down the same principle: "Which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish." Luke 14: 28-30.

Instruction of the Testimonies Concerning Debt

In carefully studying what has been written in the Testimonies on the subject of debt, both in communications addressed to individuals in private life and to boards and committees responsible for the conduct of institutions, one can not but be impressed with the plain statements regarding the baleful effects resulting from debt. Let us refer to a few of them.

LIVING WITHIN ONE'S MEANS

To a man constantly in debt, comes this personal testimony: "A man with a small family, and a good capital of strength, yet constantly involved in debt and leaning upon others. This is all wrong. You have lessons to learn. . . . Here you are with a man's strong energies, and yet are not self-sustaining. . . .

"Were you infirm, were you unable to labor, then your brethren would be in duty bound to help you. As it is, all you needed from your brethren when you changed your location, was a start. If you felt as ambitious as you should, and you and your wife would agree to live within your means, you could be free from embarrassment. You will have to labor for small wages as well as for large. Industry and economy would have placed your family, ere this, in a much more favorable condition. God wants you to be a faithful steward of your strength. He wants you to use it to place your family above want and dependence." — "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. II, pages 435, 436.

DEFRAUDING OTHERS BY UNPAID DEBTS

Another personal testimony regarding running into debt, found in Volume V, pages 179, 180: —

"You bring a reproach upon the cause by locating in a place where you indulge indolence for a time, and then are obliged to run in debt for provision for your family. These your honest debts you are not always particular to pay, but, instead, move to another place. This is defrauding your neighbor. The world has a right to expect strict integrity in those who profess to be Bible Christians. By one man's indifference in regard to paying his just dues, all our people are in danger of being regarded as unreliable. . . .

"God has given you strength and skill, but you have not used them. Your strength is sufficient to abundantly support your family. Rise in the morning, even while the stars are shining, if need be. Lay your plans to do something, and then accomplish it. Redeem every pledge, unless sickness lays you prostrate. Better deny yourself food and sleep than be guilty of keeping from others their just dues."

(To be continued)