Danger of
Debt
Bondage of the
Debtor
What general rule
is laid down in the Bible respecting
the meeting of obligations?
“Give everyone
what you owe him; if you owe
taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then
revenue; if respect, then respect; if
honor, then honor.” Romans 13:
7,8.
In what condition
is one who borrows?
“The rich rule
over the poor, and the borrower is servant
to the lender.” Proverbs
22:7.
To what extent is
one responsible for that borrowed?
“If a man borrows
an animal from his neighbor and it is
injured or dies while the owner is
not present, he must make
restitution.” Exodus 22:14.
Why did the young man
in Elisha’s time feel so
concerned about the loss of an ax
head?
“As one of them
was cutting down a tree, the iron ax
head fell into the water. “Oh my
lord,” he cried out, “it
was borrowed.” 2 Kings 6:5.
What miracle did
Elisha work for its restitution?
“The man of God
asked, “Where did it fall?”
When he showed him the place, Elisha
cut a stick and threw it there, and
made the iron float.” Verse
6.
Business
Discretion
How does the good
man guide his affairs?
“Good will come
to him who is generous and lends
freely, who conducts his affairs
with justice.” Psalm 112:5.
To
what should those listen that lack
business discretion?
“He who ignores
discipline comes to poverty and
shame, but whoever heeds
correction is honored.”
Proverbs 13:18.
Note – It is wise
for those who, from lack of natural
business ability, find themselves
constantly running into debt, to seek
advice and counsel from those endowed
with more wisdom in such matters.
Which
of Christ’s parables teaches
business discretion?
“Suppose one
of you wants to build a tower. Will
he not first sit down and estimate
the cost to complete it.
For id he lays a foundation and is
not able to finish it, everyone who
sees it will ridicule him saying,
“This fellow began to build and
was not able to finish.”
Luke 14:28-30.
How
were means provided for building the
tabernacle?
“Moses and the
whole Israelite community, “This
is what the Lord has commanded. From
what you have, take an offering to
the Lord. Everyone who is willing
is to bring an offering of gold,
silver and bronze; blue, purple and
scarlet yarn; ram skins dried red and
hides of sea cows, acacia wood; olive
oil for the light, spices for the
anointing oil and for fragrance
incense; and onyx stones and other
gems to be mounted on the ephod and
breastplate.” Exodus 35:4-9.
What
promises did David make for building
the Temple?
“With all my
resources I have provided for the
temple of my God – gold for the
gold work, silver for the silver;
bronze for the bronze, iron for the
iron and wood for the wood, as well
as the onyx for the settings.
Turquoise stones of various colors,
and all kinds of fine stone and
marble – all of these in large
quantities.” 1 Chronicles 29:2.
How
did the people respond to his call
for contributions?
“Then the leaders
of the families, the officers of the
tribes of Israel, the commanders of
thousands and commanders of hundreds,
and the officials in charge of the
king’s work gave willingly. They
gave toward the work on the temple of
God five thousand talents and ten
darics of gold, ten thousand talents
of silver, eighteen thousand talents
of bronze and a hundred thousand
talents of iron. Any one who had
precious stones gave them to the
treasury of the temple of the Lord in
the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.
The people rejoiced at the willing
response of their leaders, for
they had given freely and
wholeheartedly to the Lord. David
the king also rejoiced greatly.”
Verses 6-9.
When King Jehoash
wished to repair the Temple, what
provisions did he make for raising
the necessary means?
“Joash said to
the priests, “Collect all the
money that is brought as sacred
offerings to the temple of the Lord
– the money collected in the
census, the money received from
personal vows and the money brought
voluntarily to the temple. Let every
priest receive the money from one of
the treasurers, and let it be used to
repair whatever damage is found in
the temple.” 2 Kings 12:4,5.
After sixteen years,
it was found that those repairs had
not yet been made, what was done?
“Jehoiada the
priest took a chest and bored a
hole in its lid. He placed it beside
the altar, on the right side as one
enters the temple of the Lord.
The priests who guarded the entrance
put into the chest all the money that
was brought to the temple of the
Lord.”
Verse 9.
What
was done with the money thus raised?
“When the amount
had been determined, they gave the
money to the man appointed to
supervise the work on the temple.
With it they had paid those who had
worked on the temple of the Lord
– the carpenters and
builders.” Verse 9.
Note – These
examples furnish good lessons on
financing gospel enterprises. In each
instance, it will be noticed; the
means were provided before the work
of building was begun. No debt,
therefore, was created. In all
business transactions this pan is
excellent one to follow.
