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 Scripture Reading : Romans 13:8

The story is told of a Christian woman who got into debt and had difficulty paying her bills. On more than one occasion she heard the exhortation, "Owe no man anything," and was once spoken to about it in an unkindly way. She complained to the preacher that although she had often heard this first part of the verse, no one had ever said anything to her about the latter part of it, "except to love one another." It is good to heed the first part, but let us particularly notice the latter part.

Owe no one anything

A Christian should stay out of debt, if at all possible. When our verse says, "Owe no one anything," it implies that we should keep out of debt, not only to Christians, but to others as well. Certainly we should always pay our bills. Sad to say, it is true that some Christians are not always honest in this way. Sometimes even Christians order things and never make any attempt to pay. This kind of thing brings reproach on the name of Christ.

Borrowing and loaning

Borrowing and loaning between Christians often causes hard feelings. In order to get along well, it is good not to borrow from fellow Christians without proper security, and then do your utmost to pay at the appointed time. It is also wise never to loan to fellow Christians, except in a businesslike way. If possible, it is far better to give and not to expect a return. There will never be hard feelings over such acts of love. The accumulation of debt has brought spiritual defeat to some Christians. It is a good rule never to buy anything you cannot immediately pay for. Let us live below our income and not try to do business above our means. This may slow up financial progress, but it may also save much misery. Remember, any of us could die at anytime, and what a sad reflection it would be on the name of Christ and Christianity if we left behind large debts.

What is a debt?

A debt is not really debt until the bill is due. It is not always possible to pay cash for a home, etc., and thus it is not wrong to buy on contract. However, a Christian should not buy anything unless reasonably sure of the ability to pay for it, as per agreement. If unforeseen circumstances arise, and we cannot pay, then we should at least be ready to relinquish claim to the goods, returning them to the original owner. Are there any bills which we owe and can pay? Then we should pay them when due. If we cannot now, do so as quickly as possible, even if it means self-denial of other things. Explain to your creditors that you will pay as soon as you possibly can. "Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor" (Rom. 13:7). "The wicked borrows and does not repay" (Ps. 37:21).

A debt of love

While we are to do our utmost to keep out of debt, there is one debt that we will never get through owing. On this debt of love we can pay and pay and pay, yet continue to owe it. If we pay it today we will owe it again tomorrow, and again the next day. They call one who can pay his/her debts, but will not, a deadbeat. So many could, but are not paying this debt of love as they should. Remember, we owe this debt of love to all. To Christians—the weak as well as the strong; the unlovely as well as the lovely—they are all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

He that loves another has fulfilled the law

The latter part of Romans 13:8 says, "He who loves another has fulfilled the law." The next two verses explain in what sense this is so. Verse 9 lists the last five commandments, and says they can all be summed up in this saying, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Then verse 10 says, "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." And certainly, if we love with true Christian love, we will do nothing to injure others.

Not just the letter of the law

Too many people are satisfied trying to keep the letter of the laws, the negative side. They would not think of committing adultery, or killing, or stealing, yet they completely neglect the positive side. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." It might be well to state this is a quotation from the Old Testament (Lev. 19:18). If this was required even in Old Testament times how much more in the time of the New Testament? Let us not only desire to receive kindness and love from others, but let us make sure we give it, too.

Love will not injure

The first thing mentioned in verse 9 that love will not do is to commit adultery ( Rom. 13:9). To commit adultery with another is a definite injury to that person. True love will not permit one to commit this sin against the Lord, against a fellow human, and against one's self. This is also true of murder and stealing. True love will seek to make life more pleasant rather than to take life; it will give to the one loved rather than stealing from him. Neither will we bear false witness against one whom we love, but will rather speak well of him/her. Nor will we covet the property, or anything else possessed by one whom we love. So every moral precept of the second table of the law is summed up in the words; "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Paul goes so far as to say that every moral law regarding our fellow man can be wrapped up in these words. Love delights in the happiness of others, so will in no way injure.

Love seeks to serve

The special teaching of this portion in Romans 13 is that love will not injure its object, but rather seek to do good. A husband who truly loves his wife and children, will not seek their harm, but always seeks their good, never their injury. The same is true of a mother. She will work from sun up to sun down for the good of those whom she loves. If we have true love for the Lord and His people we will not live selfish lives, but will live for others.