Ellen White's Teachings on Debt and Financial Integrity

Borrowing money without a definite plan to cancel the debt is a demoralizing practice that misrepresents the truth and dishonors ChristCM 96.3+2. While debt should generally be avoided, it is better to borrow money to advance God's work—such as building schools, sanitariums, and meetinghouses—than to allow the work to be hindered or to endanger the health of workers through extreme inconvenienceLLM 28.5+3.

The Personal Danger of Indebtedness

• Demoralizing Influence: Frequently borrowing money to meet pressing needs without calculating how to repay it is a self-deceiving practice that stains the characterCM 96.3+1.

• Economic Discipline: Many people become overwhelmed by debt because they fail to educate themselves to keep expenditures within the limit of their incomeCS 249.1+1.

• Spiritual Risk: Those who rob God of tithes and offerings to settle their debts to men are being tested; unfaithfulness in these transactions reveals a lack of principle that endangers their eternal life13LtMs, Ms 150, 1898, par. 21.

• Avoiding Luxury: It is better to practice strict economy and suffer want than to commit a dishonest act through unpaid debtsCM 96.3+2.

• Industry and Knowledge: Persistent industry and careful economy of time qualify a person for influence and prevent the discouragement that follows financial failure12MR 89.3+1.

Debt in Institutional and Church Work

• Prudent Planning: Institutions should not be established on borrowed capital if it can be avoided, as large debts incurred through human mismanagement become a snare14LtMs, Ms 126, 1899, par. 5+1.

• Counting the Cost: Before starting major projects like sanitariums, leaders must sit down and count the cost rather than moving forward on borrowed capital with a boastful spiritMM 155.3+1.

• Interest Concerns: Charging interest upon interest is wrong, and institutions should treat sister organizations with kindness, keeping interest rates as low as possibleSpM 181.2+1.

• Dedication of Churches: Meetinghouses should be dedicated free of debt whenever possible; however, if building is necessary, it is better to hire money at a low rate than to have no place of worshipGW 432.3+2.

• School Management: Schools should not run in debt by keeping tuition too low; instead, they should adjust prices and practice economy in diet and facilities to remain solvent11MR 162.1+2.

The Duty of Forgiveness and Repayment

• Sacred Obligations: There is a sacred obligation to return borrowed money without the lender having to ask for it, especially when it was lent for education15LtMs, Lt 112, 1900, par. 5.

• Forgiving Debtors: Following the example of Christ's parables, we must be willing to forgive the debts of those who are poor and distressed, just as we desire God to forgive our spiritual debts Matthew 6:124LtMs, Lt 111, 1886, par. 1+2.

• Brotherly Kindness: In family and business dealings, we should not be exacting or demand the "uttermost farthing" from those who are struggling14LtMs, Lt 245, 1899, par. 5.

• Christ's Sacrifice: Ultimately, Christ paid the debt for our past transgressions through His sacrifice on the cross3MR 103.3+1.

Practical Steps to Financial Freedom

• The Self-Denial Box: Families are encouraged to have a "self-denial box" to save every penny possible to help lift debts from the house of God10MR 126.1.

• Averting Crime: One should never resort to criminal or dishonest acts to ward off financial embarrassment, as this is a fatal temptation from the enemy13LtMs, Lt 15, 1898, par. 5.

• Guarding Small Leaks: True economy involves looking after small things, as "small leaks have sunk many a ship"CS 267.1.

• Putting on Christ: We must not make provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts, but rather trust in the Lord to maintain our principles Romans 13:14MC 61.3.

Managing debt and practicing financial integrity are central themes in the writings of Ellen White, specifically addressed in several important contextsCCh 154.2+1. You can find extensive instruction on these matters in Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6, where the responsibility of the youth to be considerate of family finances is detailedAH 386.3. Volume 7 of the same series also contains vital principles regarding the management of finances in our publishing institutions and the necessity of personal sacrifice to avoid institutional debtSpTB19 34.1+1. Additionally, the importance of faithful stewardship and the dangers of a narrow, avaricious spirit are highlighted in manuscripts discussing the life of Judas and the management of the early church's funds5BC 1101.5+1.

Everything connected with the finances of our schools and institutions should be perfectly straight, as a lack of economy will surely bring debt upon the work14MR 172.1+1. It is essential for those in leadership to understand bookkeeping and faithfully report the use of all monies to ensure that funds are not overdrawnCS 271.2+1. The character of the economy practiced must always be an honor to God, avoiding both penuriousness and lavishnessCCh 154.2+1. By practicing self-denial and gathering up every fragment so that nothing is lost, we honor the Lord who has entrusted us with His goods8MR 389.3+2.

...ney is to be regarded as a gift entrusted to us of God to do His work, to build up His kingdom, and the youth should learn to restrict their desires.3Testimonies for the Church 6:214, 215— AH 386.3 (1952)

...o look after small things. They think it the evidence of a narrow mind and a niggardly spirit. But small leaks have sunk many a ship. Nothing that would serve the purpose of any should be allowed to waste. A lack of economy will surely bring debt upon our institutions. Although much money may be received, it will be lost in the little wastes of every branch of the work. Economy is not stinginess— 7T 206.5 (1902)

...men are to learn what is comprehended by present truth. Our workers are to practice strict economy. God forbids all extravagance. Every dollar at our command is to be expended with economy. No great display is to be made. God's money is to be used to carry forward in His own way the...— Ev 85.2 (1946)

...Christ's followers unless we deny self and lift the cross. We should pay up squarely as we go; gather up the dropped stitches; bind off your raveling edges, and know just what you can call your own. You should reckon up all the littles spent in self-gratification. You should notice what is used s...— CCh 154.2 (1991)

... is faithfully to report the use of all monies passing through his hands for the use of the school. The funds of the school are not to be overdrawn, but every effort is to be made to increase the usefulness of the school— 18LtMs, Lt 188, 1903, par. 44

The publishing work was founded in self-denial and should be conducted upon strictly economical principles. The question of finance can be managed, if, when there is a pressure ...— CH 304.3 (1923)