June 23, 2008 - HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT BANKRUPTCY?
Ken Korkow
Posted: Monday, June 23, 2008
A friend of mine, a businessman, called recently. His marriage was in shambles, finances in disarray, and he told me that he was ready to file bankruptcy. "Before you file bankruptcy," I responded, "I'd like you to consider three questions: What would Jesus do? What would Satan want you to do? And what are your motives? Think about these for several days and then call me."
Several days later he called and said, "I have decided it would take five long years to get all our debts repaid and God doesn't want us to live in such pain, so I think it is all right with Him if we file bankruptcy."
Have you ever thought of bankruptcy? I have. In fact, I have been in such bad shape financially that as I looked at the bankruptcy column in the newspaper, I wondered when my name would be listed there.
As my friend told me about his circumstances, my thoughts were, "That is nonsense! God doesn't care about your comfort. He cares about your obedience." But I didn't tell him that because I knew it would just scare him off. Instead, I asked, "Do you have a Bible handy?" "Yes," he replied. "Good,” I responded. “Please open it up to Psalm 37. Now, please read verses 16 and 17."
My friend read, "Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous." (I have emphasized the words “wicked.”)
"So it doesn't look very good for the 'wicked'." I commented. "Read verse 20 and you'll see that it gets worse." He continued: "But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord's enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke."
Then I asked, "Would you like to know who God says the 'wicked' are?" "Yes," he said. "Then please read verse 21." He read, "The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously."
What will my friend do? I don't know. But one of my mentors took 14 years to pay off a debt illegally created because a major insurance company cheated him and simply said, "Sue us. We can outlast you – so you will lose." His attorney and accountant both told him to file bankruptcy, but he said, "No. I can't do that. God wants me to pay all my bills." To do that, my mentor drove an old automobile for many years and lived very frugally. Throughout that time, I watched as God worked in and through him to touch literally thousands of people.
My mentor’s example gave me hope and courage to keep taking small steps of faith during my financial trials. It motivated me to do the best I could, even when it didn't seem like that would ever be good enough. As a result, my wife, Liz, and I watched God perform incredible miracles day after day. I don't know what challenges you are or will be facing, but I do know God's standard is living right, and doing right to others, without compromise.
Oswald Chambers has observed, "One of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world…. A life of faith is not a life of one glorious mountaintop experience after another, like soaring on eagles' wings, but is a life of day-in and day-out consistency; a life of walking without fainting (see Isaiah 40:31)…. It is a faith that has been tried and proved and has withstood the test."
Ken Korkow lives in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A., where he serves as an area director for CBMC. This is adapted from the “Fax of Life” column that he writes each week. Used with permission.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever thought about bankruptcy? If so, what were the circumstances?
2. If a good friend were to approach you and ask your advice about bankruptcy, what counsel would you offer?
3.Do you agree with Ken Korkow’s response to his friend as he contemplated bankruptcy? Why or why not?
4. Do you think that bankruptcy – seeing release from one’s financial obligations – is merely a legal matter, subject only to the laws of the land, or does it also have moral and spiritual implications? Explain your answer.
NOTE: If you have a Bible handy and would like to consider other verses about this topic, consider the following:
Proverbs 13:11, 15:16, 22:7,26-27, 30:8-9; Matthew 18:23-34; Luke 16:10-13