Many Christians in the Western world are in debt. They owe on their houses, cars, and credit cards. Consequently, they seem to be disobeying the Lord's command that we owe no debt. Some people try to rationalize this by saying that many other people are in debt — even Christians and churches. However, just because disobedience is popular doesn't make it something other than disobedience. Some say that we shouldn't take Romans 13:8 literally, but in context. However, the immediate context of Romans 13:8 is quite literal in speaking of such financial matters as paying taxes (Rm 13:7) and refraining from stealing and coveting (Rm 13:9). Another argument is that the Lord allowed loans in the Old Testament and therefore debt (e.g. Sir 29:1-2). However, the Lord in the Sermon on the Mount commands: "Lend without expecting repayment" (Lk 6:35).

Most people would just as soon drop this subject and go on being in debt. However, Jesus commands us to turn our backs on, even hate, our very selves (Lk 14:26). We must let Jesus radically, and even violently (see Mt 11:12), rearrange our lives. Otherwise, we will do violence to His Word by warping, compromising, and disobeying it. We live the life of Christ when we do what Christ wants no matter what we want or what our culture promotes.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 12, 2017

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