Economics Analysis
Essay Sara Carroll-
Morgan GOVT 200-S02
Professor Pyle
Liberty University
October 21, 2016
Overview
We all know that the United States Government and the principles that are found in the
Bible are not correlated in many instances. One of the great truths of the Bible is that the
principles that can be found are beneficial for anyone who reads them. These truths are
applicable for any person regardless of their walk of life. The advice that is provided in scripture
is just as applicable to the pauper as it is to the largest governments of the world. In our world
today, we find that the United States Government is not in the greatest economical position
possible. This is because there are a variety of issues where the decision makers of the United
States have ventured to believe that they are smarter than the principles that are found in
scripture.
Debt Usage
Utilization of debt is one of the biggest areas in which the United States has overstepped
the biblical principles that have been laid out for our own good. The current national debt has
climbed to $19,754,257,061,882.16. This debt cannot simply be pinpointed to one instance or to
one person. In fact, our National Debt is still rising to this very moment. This means that the
fault cannot simply be placed in one area. In fact, this issue could be better stated by
acknowledging to self-depreciating nature and tendency of humanity. Throughout scripture we
are able to see choices that are made that lead individuals, groups, and countries to complete
destruction. In fact, we must not be surprised by the fact that our own government is making the
same mistakes today. The Bible addresses the topic of debt in several different instances.
Debt in the Bible
The Old Testament is filled with scripture that addresses the use of debt. In Psalm 37:21,
the Psalmist states: “The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous
and gives”. In Proverbs 3:27-28, Solomon (who happens to be the wisest man to live other than
Jesus) states: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to
do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you
have it with you.” Solomon also states in Ecclesiastes 5:5 “It is better that you should not vow
than that you should vow and not pay.” Also, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses
the use of debt in Romans 13:5-8. “Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's
wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the
authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them:
taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is
owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the
one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
Solutions
Some people may believe that a debt that is this large simply cannot be overcome. After
all, $19,754,257,061,882.16 is a large amount of money. However, we all know the only way
to eat an elephant – one bite at a time. Some politicians or decision makers may ask themselves
why we would even fight to get rid of our national debt. The answer is simple - whenever we
find ourselves strapped by decisions that we have made in the past; we are unable to plan for the
future that we must have in order to be as successful as we would like to be. It is selfish for
politicians and decision makers to make a decision to keep adding to the debt knowing that the
future generations will be the ones that have to deal with the situations that they leave them in.
Unfortunately, our generations are the ones that are left with this mess to deal with right now.
We must move forward by choosing to elect individuals that refuse to add to the national debt
and use more money than we are able to. Obviously, this is not a situation that can be resolved
by one individual. However, if we are able to choose individuals that are committed to resolving
this issue we will finally be freed up to move forward in the ways that we need to in order for our
country to be able to have and spend money in the ways that we truly need to!
