XXIII SUNDAY: Ro 13:8-10

AVOID DEBTS

Paul’s advise is very much relevant for the situation we live in. A good number of european nations are in deep trouble, because of their debts. The economy of the United States is shaky, because of the continuous borrowing. They say that they will pay their debts; but will they? Individuals and nations have been spending more than they can afford, thinking that money would generate money and bring in huge profits. People were encouraged to borrow: they borrowed for the house, the car and plenty of other things. In the end, they could not afford even to pay the interest, which changed according to the market’s whims. You borrowed at 5%, but a few months later you have to pay 8 or 10%, because the interest went up. The debts are like a rope around the necks of many people, in which they are going to be hung.

The Western capitalist society as been built on a search for profits, ever great profits. That makes multinational companies look for the cheapest labour market and the country with lowest taxes, moving their factories from one place to another and leaving behind unemployed people. The big financiers move their billions even faster, disrupting and destroying economies. Why? Because of their greed. In fact, greed has become the king of the world, destroying the lives and the economies of many.

We need a new culture in our financial world, one that puts people at the centre of the economy. And people must be guided by a new mentality as well. People need to learn to save and to live with what they can afford. Why should we spent our money in so many useless things? Why should we get the latest gadgets, even when we cannot afford them? Why to borrow money to buy a television set or even to buy a car? Better to wait! We must  learn how to choose our priorities, and use our money on what is essential. Some do not have money for food or to send the children to school, but they find money to buy and maintain a cell phone. One can live very well without cell phone. Or is it a question of prestige?

Paul’s advise is very important: “Avoid getting into debt”.  There is only one debt that we have to pay and all of us can pay it: the debt of love. If we had remembered that, we would not be now in the troubling situation we find ourselves in.