Business Reply - FOR 1 HOUR WRITER

Discussion Board Instructions

Replies

Read two of the threads posted by your classmates; select at least one thread which presents the opposite conclusion of your thread. Compose a reply for each using a word processor. Each response should be APA-formatted and should incorporate research to support your opinions and ideas. Please note that “I like what you said,” “That’s a good comment,” and “I disagree with your comment” in and of themselves do not count as a complete reply. Rather, stating reasons that support the opinion, adding additional ideas/thoughts, or providing alternative ideas/thoughts count as a reply. Courtesy in any disagreement is expected; thus, personal attacks or calling an idea “stupid,” etc. are not acceptable and will count against your grade. Each repy should be at leaset 200 words in length.

One of the goals of Discussion Board assignments is to encourage student community learning; thus, not every posting will have a response from the professor. Rather, the instructor may respond to a few postings in a way that adds to the conversation, asks a pertinent question, or summarizes some of the key points made by students.

Pleaase reply to following classmates:

Philip topic:

Top of Form

Forbid

       While the Bible does not say, “Thou shall not commit bankruptcy” it does say, in Exodus 20:15 “You shall not steal”.  I would remind Carl that he made an agreement with his creditors, an oath, when he purchased the property. Christians think that there are no victims when they file bankruptcy, but someone is not getting paid, or paid substantially less, than what was agreed upon.  Psalm 37:21 states, “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” Carl certainly cannot read that and confuse Gods intentions in this matter. Proverbs 22:26-27, “Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.”  This is the situation Carl finds himself in and I would advise Carl going forward to only purchase what he can afford today with cash.  Only put on credit what you intend to pay off at the end of the month.  I would suggest that Carl create a budget, and assist him in living within his means.  Carl also needs to reconsider what is really needed.  Is cable TV necessary, is a cell phone contract necessary? How often does he and his family eat out? If necessary, can he work a second job?  These are hard choices, but he placed himself in a hard situation.  Now he needs to do the right things to correct the situation. The Bible is also pretty clear about credit. While the Bible does not straight out say do not borrow money, it does include warnings for those who do.  For instance, Proverbs 22:7 states “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”  However, Christians should lend money to the poor and it may be necessary for the Christian to then forgive the debtor of that loan.  God blesses us so that we may bless others, we cannot do that if we are not financially sound.

Edward

Does Not Forbid

Carl indeed placed himself in a precarious situation by living above his means.  The Bible makes it clear that money in itself is not evil, but the love of it contradicts God’s will.  Living the lavish lifestyle has led him to his current situation of needing to determine whether his option for bankruptcy falls within laws mandated by God.  Bankruptcy laws seem to have validity from a Biblical context.  Deuteronomy 15:1-2 states the following:

 

"At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts.  This is the manner of remission: every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because the LORD'S remission has been proclaimed” (New American Standard Bible, 2014, Deuteronomy 15:1-2).

 

Although it is permissible to file for bankruptcy, Proverbs 22:7 warns that “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave”.  My advice to Carl would be to consolidate his life.  He has already refinanced and maxed out his options.  Had he been more cautious and realized the error of his ways prior to this situation, he could have avoided bankruptcy by selling any major assets that are above his means, and acquiring a more humble lifestyle.

 

The Bible does not forbid borrowing money.  In fact, Exodus 22:14 states, “If a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution”.  However, I think the context of this verse refers to an individual in need of food, not someone that is clearly squandering their money.  Carl could have asked family or friends for temporary loans, while agreeing to pay them back incrementally as Matthew 5:42 states, “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you”.  In addition, Psalms 112:5 affirms that borrowing is acceptable due to the ideology that “It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice”. As Carl’s situation is nearly beyond repair, he should file bankruptcy, but make attempts to payback what he owes during the process to help reestablish his credit.

 

 In conclusion, the Bible does not forbid Carl from filing bankruptcy, but warns him and other individuals of the ramifications of becoming enslaved as a debtor.  Borrowing is also permissible, but the individual needs to make good faith and pay off debts.  The Bible encourages individuals to remain debt free in order to prevent owing anyone anything with the exception of love.

 

References:

 

Grudem, W. (2003). Business for the glory of God: the Bible's teaching on the moral goodness of business. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books.

 

New American Standard Bible. (2014). 31 Bible verses about being in debt. In Knowing Jesus. Retrieved September 1, 2014, from http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Being-In-Debt.