The Quick Take-Aways:

• The borrower is slave to the lender
• You can't serve God and things
• Get out of debt
• This current infrastructure bill is the opposite of what needs to be happening with inflation
• Governments in debt lead to corruption and oppression
• Speak out against our government being in debt

Transcript:

Welcome to the podcast! You are listening to “Perfectly Equipped.” I am your host, Josh Hurley. 

Perfectly Equipped examines a current event through a godly lens to understand how we have been perfectly equipped for the day in which we live. 

This is episode #1! - The National Debt Crises
In this episode we are going to talk about this 3.5 trillion dollar spending bill that has been broiling in the US House of Representatives for a few months. Thankfully, there are more than a few people who are saying that they aren’t going to support it which puts those who want it to pass in the minority, for now. 

Does national debt matter to you as a Christian? I think it should. But before we tackle the national debt, can I tackle your personal debt? If you have racked up burdensome debt in your life, I think we both understand that you would be quite the hypocrite to say that America needs to learn how to live within its means. 

Now, I understand there are emergencies and long term investments like education and housing that could be a touchy subject. So, I’ll largely speak to your American lifestyle that demands that you have the next nice car, latest trendy clothes, 84” TV or whatever else you decide you want now and for which you can’t wait to save.

In Proverbs 22:7, Solomon points out that “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”

Jesus gets a little more pointed when he is recorded saying in Matthew 6:24, ““No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

So, if you are living beyond your means, are you a slave to God or a slave to your stuff? This is a real choice we are making daily which the American church must confront so that we can then address what is in the news.

If the American church began living within its means, it would be more obedient and the Federal Government wouldn’t need to come up with a quote, “infrastructure bill” unquote, to take care of the people in our country the church should be taking care of.

We would be in a much better spot from which to tell our representatives: QUIT SPENDING MONEY THE GOVERNMENT DOESN’T HAVE!

Does Solomon’s wisdom apply to our country? I believe it does. Is the US in a downward spiral of slavery to the people, corporations and other countries that hold our debt? It sure is. We are sadly very misguided if we don’t understand that our money and the choices we are making with it is driving this country into the ground. 

The reason we can’t have a flat tax which is scientifically and mathematically proven to work is because there is no room for corruption when everyone has to pay the same percentage for the government to function well. 

And, why can’t we get rid of corruption? Because we owe the people who demand it lots of money and influence.

How do we respond? We tell our representatives it is time for it to stop NOW. It is time to bite the bullet, raise interest rates and eat this inflation nightmare. It is the only way to stop the spending spiral.

Let me tell you something about inflation. Inflation comes from too much money and not enough product to meet demand. Everyone has cash right now. What we don’t have is materials. The answer to solve inflation is not for the government to add onto the materials burden by starting infrastructure projects and adding onto the money burden by handing out more of it for free.

In a depression, one strategy is to start infrastructure projects. You put people to work who want to work but can’t find jobs. You spend money from the government on materials which creates more jobs and then you use those materials to create more jobs building infrastructure. This puts money into the market into the hands of laborers who want it and will work for it and boosts the economy. 

That is EXACTLY the opposite approach to inflation. And, anyone with any study of economics or history or politics KNOWS it. So why are we doing this at the national level? Because you are letting them. It’s hard to know who is pulling the strings to make this seem like a good idea. But, are you the one standing by letting it happen? 

I’ll close out this episode with the talk about politics. And believe me, I’m going to give it often if you stay tuned in to the podcast.

You live in a Constitutional Republic. You don’t live in a democracy. Democracies are run by the mob or the majority to take and do whatever they want. Constitutional Republics are run by representatives of the people who hear the voices of the minority and the majority and then work within the Constitution (something they both previously agreed upon) to try to meet the needs of both. 

Jesus, when asked about paying taxes was recorded in Mark 12:17 saying, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”  Pay your taxes? Sure. It’s the government’s money. Stay out of debt? Sure. God requires it for you to serve him instead of things.

But what else do God and Caesar require? In our Constitutional Republic, Caesar requires your voice. To be subordinate to government authorities as Paul wisely instructs in Romans 13 is to be subordinate to the Constitution of the United States. People who have boldly proclaimed that they want to get rid of the Constitution (overthrow our government) and try something else like Democratic Socialism are the ones who are pushing this 3.5 trillion dollar spending bill. 

What should you do as a Christian? Speak up. Whether or not you think you are making a difference, Caesar requires it. And, God requires it. As a Christian you are to stand against oppression and for justice. You are to lead your country to be led according to moral principles. Gross debt with no way to repay it is theft. It is immoral. It leads to oppression. Be obedient to Caesar and God today: Let your voice be heard!

And...work hard to get out of debt yourself. 

Today, we’ve seen that you are perfectly trained by the Word of God to deal with this debt crisis facing our country. You need to personally get out of debt. You need to speak up about our country going further into debt. You need to be obedient and take care of the widow and the orphan. You need to stand up for the government God has put in place in America which is our Constitution. 

Sitting by quietly is allowing immoral debit. It is allowing an overthrow of this country and it will ultimately lead to injustice and oppression for your children for generations should Jesus not come back soon.  

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Hopefully we’ve accomplished some of that today with His Word. 

In the next episode we are going to be talking about the Brian Laundrie manhunt and Domestic Violence. Please subscribe on whatever platform you are consuming this to be notified when the next episode is available. As always, you can visiting joshuahurley.com to listen to past episodes.

If you want to help us in our personal calling of leading the church through starting a Teen Center in Cascade, please visit cascadegamechanger.com to learn more and to pledge support!

Thanks for listening. Go walk in the good works for which you were created!