Counsels for the Church

“Owe No Man Any Thing”

Many poor families are poor because they spend their money as soon as they receive it. CCh 155.1

Abstracting and using money for any purpose, before it is earned, is a snare.¹⁹⁹ CCh 155.2

The world has a right to expect strict integrity in those who profess to be Bible Christians. By one man's indifference in regard to paying his just dues, all our people are in danger of being regarded as unreliable. CCh 155.3

Those who make any pretensions to godliness should adorn the doctrine they profess and not give occasion for the truth to be reviled through their inconsiderate course of action. “Owe no man anything,” says the apostle.²⁰⁰ CCh 155.4

Many, very many, have not so educated themselves that they can keep their expenditures within the limit of their income. They do not learn to adapt themselves to circumstances, and they borrow and borrow again and again and become overwhelmed in debt, and consequently they become discouraged and disheartened.²⁰¹ CCh 155.5

You must see that one should not manage his affairs in a way that will incur debt. When one becomes involved in debt, he is in one of Satan's nets, which he sets for souls. CCh 155.6

Be determined never to incur another debt. Deny yourself a thousand things rather than run in debt. This has been the curse of your life, getting into debt. Avoid it as you would the smallpox.²⁰² CCh 155.7