The burden of debt robs happiness and joy from life. In our economic crisis, our world has been propelled into a dark period of hardship, sadness, and depression. As many have spent their time enjoying whatever the heart finds to do the day of reckoning brings about the reality of life unbridled. Free spending of temporary wealth has plunged untold families into financial nightmares. Thousands have lost their homes, jobs, and the joy of life. Insurmountable debts are brought about by not giving due consideration to the cost; throwing aside caution and wisdom to enjoy the passing pleasures of life. Reality is the wake-up call that for every action there must be a reaction. But we do not speak of the spending of money – we speak of the spending of lives marred by sin.<\/p>\n
Paul reminds us that “whatever a man sows, this he will also reap<\/em>” (Galatians 6:7). When we spend our lives enjoying whatever the heart finds to do there will be a day when the harvest will be gathered. It seems joyful for the moment but then reality settles in and the debt of sin overwhelms the soul. Eve thought that a little taste of the forbidden fruit would be enjoyable and she also gave some to her husband (Genesis 3:6). But then their eyes were opened and it was too late. They were ashamed and fearful of what they had done.<\/p>\n The nature of immorality is that it looks appetizing and appealing and fun, and we must know there is a hunger and desire that is pleasant and enjoyable. In those moments when Adam and Eve tasted the fruit, there was enjoyment and pleasure. It was the aftertaste that changed their minds. Immorality is a tempting fruit of desire that brings fulfillment but for a moment. The aftertaste is a life of guilt, sadness, despair, and ruin of the loss of innocence, purity, and holiness before God.<\/p>\n Wisdom suggests that a clear picture of sin must be understood in the debt that will become a burden hard to bear. The crafty woman of Proverbs 7 is one that entices the young man with all the finery of her day and the alluring speech enticing his heart to lay with her. “With her many persuasions she entices him; with her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, so he does not know that it will cost him his life. Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words of my mouth. Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths. For many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain. Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death<\/em>” (Proverbs 7:21-27).<\/p>\n The cost is the slaughter of one’s life, and what a high price is paid. If wisdom had been the guiding path and the cost would have been counted the young man would not have passed near her street (Proverbs 7:6-20). The proverb writer goes on to say that “the fear of the Lord is to hate evil<\/em>” (Proverbs 8:13). Hating evil is to stay far away from it and count the cost of coming near to evil. “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil<\/em>” (I Thessalonians 5:21-22).<\/p>\n Consider the debt of sin before paying the ultimate price. “Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned? Or can a man walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched<\/em>” (Proverbs 6:27-28).<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Kent Heaton The burden of debt robs happiness and joy from life. In our economic crisis, our world has been propelled into a dark period of hardship, sadness, and depression. As many have spent their time enjoying whatever the heart finds to do the day of reckoning brings about the reality of life unbridled.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[179],"class_list":["post-55681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-sin"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3760,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-does-the-bible-say-about-credit-cards\/","url_meta":{"origin":55681,"position":0},"title":"What does the Bible say about credit cards?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 21, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: What the Bible said about credit cards, especially for the Christian? I cannot understand people using a credit card to give to the Lord. It brings many problems when you have no control over your spending. I cannot understand this. It is my belief that this is not God's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":13413,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-there-a-distinction-between-forgiveness-and-redemption\/","url_meta":{"origin":55681,"position":1},"title":"Is there a distinction between forgiveness and redemption?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 20, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: First, I must say that your web site is fantastic!\u00a0 There is much cool stuff here that I wish I had more time to read. At Bible class last night, the issue of forgiveness vs. redemption and taking away sin came up.\u00a0 The issue, and my question, is whether\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":91329,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-it-cost-too-much\/","url_meta":{"origin":55681,"position":2},"title":"Does It Cost Too Much?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by David Gibson The parable is only one verse long, but what a lesson is packed in those few words! \"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18752,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/if-a-christian-must-file-for-bankruptcy-is-he-still-obligated-to-pay-off-his-debts\/","url_meta":{"origin":55681,"position":3},"title":"If a Christian must file for bankruptcy, is he still obligated to pay off his debts?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 26, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: If one borrows money and they get behind the eight-ball, if you will, so they file bankruptcy, are they morally responsible to pay the borrowed amount back? I said if they did it with the intent of trying to rip someone off that was a sin, but I didn't\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":42269,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/facing-reality\/","url_meta":{"origin":55681,"position":4},"title":"Facing Reality","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 21, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by George Slover \"Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, \"How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly\" (John 10:24). Although the above request was most likely in jest, it is nonetheless an interesting one. How often does anyone really\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/search-300x199.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3766,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-it-a-sin-to-be-in-debt\/","url_meta":{"origin":55681,"position":5},"title":"Is it a Sin to be in Debt?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 22, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton An article in the paper caught my eye. \"For some Christians, it's a sin to be in debt.\" As I continued to read, the author admitted that only a few \"hardliners\" say owing money is morally wrong. The verses they used to justify their belief were\u00a0Romans\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55681"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55681\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}