There are a lot of folks that run short of cash at points in their lives; like when unexpected hospitalization happens, or when our vehicles are beyond repair and a newer one is the only recourse, or a severe weather event that devastates our residences and personal belongings. There might be much less dramatic events, but all may require a quick influx from a loan. The penalties for delving into retirement accounts and other financial instruments can be quite high, and a small loan may be the very practical decision.

A “loan” sounds like a pretty innocent term, but it carries a heavy responsibility. There are (2) verses in the Scripture that reveal a certain “hierarchy” to this process. The first one is:

Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

In other words, the ones who seeks resources that they don’t have submit to an obligation to another in order to secure such resources. This could be borrowing money, a tool for a project, assistance in higher education, a promise of future wealth in an endeavor with investments of some kind, a slight of hand or by-pass of regulations to achieve a goal, or an uneven barter or trade for materials / service/ favor agreed to in advance. The “borrower” is many times not “poor”, but still in need. But the one who provides the assistance is the one in charge and in authority over the one who receives such benefit.

Isaiah 24:2 – “And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.”

Again, the Scripture specifically creates the image of one in control of another with agreement.

Question 1: What happens when the “borrower” does not fulfill their obligations to repay or complete arrangements per the agreement? The lender then has permission to extract the value of the agreement through many different channels, legal and otherwise; depending on the morality of the lender. This can get really ugly.

Question 2:  What happens when a borrower asks the lender for flexibility in fulfilling the obligation after the agreement has been reached and the repayment is fully underway, but not complete? The answer to that is based on character. Interest rates can be re-negotiated, repayment schedules can be revised, or sometimes the balance of the debt can be forgiven altogether.

Question 3:  When Jesus made the incredible celestial agreement to die for the sins of mankind, what was the condition of the agreement? What demands did He make? The irreversible, non-negotiable, and permanent contract was signed in His own blood for a “trade”. A trade, you may ask….. Yes, a trade.

Jesus, Himself explained that when we choose to accept the ”trade”, we receive the benefit of the “trade”. He said not all will accept this trade, because they fail to accept the simple condition of it. They think it must be a lengthy, works-worthy, and noble effort and one that must be earned. Jesus said a “ticket” to heaven can only be secured by abandoning self-interest / self-importance and turning to Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and turning your life over to Him. The trade is this:

You trade the “control” of your life to Him so He is in control your life. You trade control. Our part then becomes to live FOR Him, not for ourselves. We have literally been purchased, but not all will receive the receipt as a condition of the transaction. They choose to stay on the self-proclaimed shelf of the unredeemed.

I Corinthians 6:20 – “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Think about this. After we receive Jesus Christ, what do we owe Him? What currency is legal tender for Him? What do we offer the One who has EVERYTHING? What is our recourse?

• Trust Him – Take not thought for tomorrow, and don’t “worry”.
• Lean on Him – He has ultimate strength and unlimited resources.
• Pray to Him – He loves hearing from us
• Accept Him – He is perfect, holy, and totally complete in every way
• Invite Him – There is a place for Him in our lives, if we allow Him to be there
• Cry to Him – He knows your situation before you do, and is waiting for you to fall into His arms
• Laugh with Him – He gives you all green lights to speed you along your way
• Chuckle with Him – When He gives you all red lights to protect you from the dangers that would be in your path
• Love Him – Because He wants you to know Him and make Him known. Be fearless

“Lord, I owe You my life. When I was born, I had no idea that You performed such an act of love for me. I want to repay You with my dedication, service, acts of kindness, commitments, tithes, generosities, sacrifices, obedience, and love. Thank You, Lord for not demanding this in unreasonable ways!InJesus’ Name, Amen.”