DBForum #2
Rachel Suleski
BUSI 301-B03
Case Study: Does Not Forbid

Is it morally, ethically, or Biblically wrong for Christians to turn to declare bankruptcy? No. Bankruptcy in the Bible is mostly dealt with caring for the poor, which is not Carl’s situation. Bankruptcy laws in our country go a long way toward balancing the needs of both lender and borrower. The goal is to reduce the losses incurred by both lender and creditor. The creditor holds reasonable rights towards the debtor. (Bankruptcy, 2013) With Biblical precedence our bankruptcy laws have the benevolent intent that the debtor can recover from his hardships and receive a “fresh start”.
The Bible does not prohibit all borrowing. Jesus’ testimony regarding borrowing and lending settles the validity of the issue. He declared in Matthew 5:42: “Give to the one who ask you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Specifically looking at Carl’s matter, the Bible does warn against not paying back debts. “The wicked borrows and doesn’t pay back, the righteous is gracious and gives.” (Psalms 37:21) “Owe no man anything, but to love one another” (Romans 13:8), living in bondage to the financiers of this world system should not be away of life. We should not be enslaved to lenders.
Carl’s creditors have the right to pursue debt collection; he being the debtor should pursue a lawsuit in an attempt to collect any available cash or assets to satisfy the debt (Create, 2013). His actions prove he is not financially intelligent, in regard to rolling his credit and other debt onto the home mortgage. For his benefit Carl should file for bankruptcy according to bankruptcy code chapter 13 in order for the judge to plan a repayment for the debt incurred, which will take place over a five-year period. (Create, 2013) This will allow Carl to keep his assets and to stop the creditors threats.