Читать книгу The Truth About Debt - Themba A Malashe - Страница 5

WHAT IS DEBT?

The definition of debt is broad and may differ in definition from one person to the other. But I have found it very significant and relevant

for me to look at this question based on the following three pointers.

In my simple terms, debt is:

owing something;

an obligation or liability to pay;

or

an offence or trespass requiring forgiveness.

If we want to understand the meaning of debt, it is very important that we look at every word that is connected to the true meaning of debt.

Let’s look at these three pointers individually:

Debt is owing something

To owe something means that you have either borrowed or taken something from someone with his permission, or you have made a vow or a promise of something to someone. It all means that you owe that thing to that person.

I guess that in this life, we all owe something to someone and owe our lives to God who gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die on our behalf for the forgiveness of our sins. ‘Debt’ means owing something to someone — it does not necessarily mean owing money, but rather it means owing something. It could be money, time, life, love, favour, etc.

We need to look at how one ends up owing something to someone.

1.By borrowing something from someone with an arrangement to return it — you owe that person what was borrowed.

“If someone borrows an animal from a neighbour and it is injured or dies when the owner is absent, the person who borrowed it must pay compensation to the owner.“ Exodus 22:14

Some of the things that we borrow:

a)Money

b)Cars

c)Property

d)Equipment e) Clothes

2.By making a promise (vow) of doing something for someone. By making a vow, you become indebted to that person to whom you made the vow.

“A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it.“ Numbers 30:2

Vows and promises that we make:

a)Marriage

b)Pledges

c)Friendships

d)Memberships e) Promises

Debt is an obligation or liability to pay

Let us take a look at the definitions of the two key words in the preceding definition: obligation and liability.

An obligation is a duty to do something. A duty is a ‘must’ — it must be done. A person who is indebted must perform his duty of paying his debt. This means that when you owe someone, there is only one way out, and that is to fulfil your duty.

Liability is defined as being legally responsible for something.

In this context, debt consists of being duty bound and legally responsible to pay what is owing.

Let’s look at how one ends up having this obligation or liability to pay.

1.By being a person or human being

“Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.“ Romans 13:7

Things that we are obligated or liable for as people:

a)Taxes

b)Rates

c)Honour and respect

d)Praise and worship

e)Tithe and offerings

2.By being a parent, guardian, leader, by standing surety, etc.

“Owe nothing to anyone - except for your obligation to love one another.“ Romans 13:8

Things that we are obligated to or liable for as parents, leaders, guardians, by standing surety, etc:

a)Love

b)Care

c)A Legacy

d)Help and support

e)Guidance

f)Leadership

Debt is an offence or trespass requiring forgiveness

To examine debt as an offence or trespass requiring forgiveness, we ought also to understand the key words of the concept. Key words are ‘offence’, ‘trespass’ and ‘forgiveness’. Let’s look at each separately:

An offence means breaking the law.

Trespass means to breach, violate, break-in, contravene, or disobey.

Forgiveness means pardon, mercy, or amnesty.

We need to look at how one ends up committing a trespass or an offence which requires forgiveness:

1.By breaking the law:

“‘Who told you that you were naked?’”the Lord God asked. ‘Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?’” Genesis 3:11

2.By not doing what you know must be done — omission:

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard’. ‘I will not’, he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir’, but he did not go. Which of the two sons did what his father wanted?” Matthew 21:28-31

Things that require forgiveness or reparation:

a)Sins

b)Iniquities

c)Misconduct

d)Omissions

e)Disrespect