SHOULD A CHRISTIAN FILE BANKRUPTCY?

The Bible makes it clear we should not be borrowers, Deut. 15:6 & 28:12, Romans 13:8, and that one of the consequences of borrowing is becoming the slave of our lenders. Proverbs 22:7. Today, financial slavery manifests itself through worry, fear, and/or depression, and can lead to such things as substance abuse, nervous breakdowns, divorce, etc.. We are instructed, however, that we can't have two masters. Matt. 6:24. In other words, you can't be a slave to your creditors and, at the same time, be completely surrendered and fully in service to your Lord Jesus. Your relationship with God is most certainly affected by excessive debt.

If a Christian does borrow, then he should do so from a Christian brother, who should not charge any interest. Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:36, Psalm 15:5, Proverbs 28:8. In fact, it is God's perfect will that we lend to each other without expecting anything in return. Luke 6:35. Therefore, it seems clear that the credit industry is not the design of God, but of man. If we have a need, it is God's design to meet it through prayer and trusting in Him. Matt. 6:31-34, Philippians 4:6, 19.

If we fall short of God's will (as we all do at one time or another), we need to repent and seek the Lord's forgiveness. 1 John 1:7-10. Not only is He quick to forgive, but He provides practical answers to our problems. In the area of debt, one solution provided by His Law was a form of bankruptcy, whereby a person's debts were released automatically every seven years. Deut. 15:1-4. Similarly, the bankruptcy laws today provide a release from some, and in some cases all, debts.

As Christians, though, perhaps bankruptcy is not the end of the matter. For example, even though we are released from certain debts legally, perhaps we ought to maintain an intent to repay as soon as we are able, rising above the law, and acting by the Spirit. Matt. 5:20. Each person will have to answer that question himself, since ultimately it is God that will hold him accountable. In any event, we should certainly take the opportunity to learn from our mistakes, so that we do not repeat them. We should become better stewards of all that the Lord has blessed us with. If the money to repay simply is not there, we do not need to be under condemnation. After all, it is the Lord who even provides the ability to repay anyway.

We encourage our clients to repay their just debts before, during, or after bankruptcy, but only if they are able. Some of you, however, simply cannot do so, and we personally understand. So does God!