Pastoral Care and Counselling: Contextual counselling for pastoral care and counselling in India- Debt.
1. Introduction
Debt is a major problem that is threatening individuals, families, markets, banks, enterprises and companies around the world. It has to be addressed with utmost concern. In fact this issue is not something new but has existed since time immemorial . Today it has worsened; with the increase in the needs and wants of people, with credit cards and other various reasons. Among the means employed in the lifelong process of training mankind though the medium of things, money is perhaps the most potent. ‘It fills so important a place in human affairs that it comes to possess extraordinary power for weal or woe.’ Hence, it becomes so necessary to understand its nature and the principles which regulate it.[1]
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We will dive into why debt occurs in
the first place and the consequences that come with it, which will be followed
by the biblical perspectives regarding debt and finally, a response to this
matter from the perspective of pastoral care and counselling will be attempted.
This will be done with special reference to the Indian context.
1. Definitions
Debt: It is the sum of money that somebody
owes to someone.[2]
It is an obligation to pay for prior receipts of goods, services or money.[3] When credit is offered and
used, it results in the creation of a loan or debt which in turn bears an
interest which the borrower has to pay.[4]
Creditor: a person, a country or an
organisation that owes money.[5] Credit is also the “sum of
the money value the supplier has extended, or will extend to the borrower or
buyer.” [6]
2. Kinds of debt
Debt cannot be simply categorised and
studied. The classifications given below are the kinds of debt in a broad sense
of the term.
3.1 Individual/ Personal debt
Personal debts may be in many forms such
as the aggregate amount they may charge up on their credit cards, the mortgages
they have on their homes or the monthly payments they agree to when they buy a
car, simply borrowing from another person and so on.[7]
3.2 Business debt
Businesses borrow money from banks by
negotiating and drawing what is called ‘lines of credit’; they sell bonds to
individuals and institutions whose purchases extend them credit; their suppliers offer them ‘terms of credit’.[8]
3.3 National debt
Biblically, a nation that maintains a
creditor position, rather than a debtor is seen as bearing the mark of God’s
special blessings. (Deut 15:6, 28:12-13) This is so, for nations that borrow
must accept controls on their economic policies and thereby become subject to
the restraints imposed by the creditors. And a portion of their wealth is soon
transferred out of the nation to one’s foreign creditors. Nations, as
individuals should also avoid debt whenever possible.[9]
3.4 Commercial debt
Like consumers, businesses accumulate debt, which is known as commercial debt. Commercial debt must be repaid and is collected in accordance with state laws. Business owners must be aware of the pros and cons of commercial debt.[10]
3.5 Spiritual debt
Is there such a thing as spiritual debt? Yes, there is. Malachi 3 talks about God’s complaint on how his people have robbed him, though their tithes and offerings. Tithing is a return to the lord of the first tenth of all one’s produce. God is to have one-tenth of whatever one earns and the rest, nine-tenths is for one to finance. Tithing is a basal recognition of one’s relation to God as a dependent, as a recipient of his goodness, and as a co-operator in his plans of beneficence for the world. It can be looked upon as a rent for the use of God’s earth. [11] The problem, however starts when tithes are not given faithfully as expected. One can be in a situation where offerings are given but not tithe. This is a serious problem that many Christians are facing today.
3. Causes of debt
There is no single cause for debt. It can
happen differently in different contexts and one cannot simply come up with a
few causes that leads one into debt. If one is in debt because of a personal
reason, the other can be in debt for family reasons, another for business and
so on. The reasons that will be discussed below are some of the main causes of
debt especially in the context of India.
4.1 Poverty
India is a country mostly infested by the
middle class. In order to keep up with living, their wages are not enough to
support the whole family, which in most cases is joint family. Hence usually,
the father is the one who ends up lending money from others in order to meet
the needs of the family. In some cases, the “rich” can also become a victim of
poverty. In the article, “India’s middle class struggle with debt burden” , BBC
reporter, Mukul Devichand writes:
“Mr Sayed remembers his lowest point in late 2008.
The father of two in Mumbai was guarding a dark secret from neighbours, friends
and even his wife. After several years of signing up to all the loans he could
find, he had notched up Rs 3,000,000 in debt. He bottled up his growing sense
of shame. ‘I thought better you run away from Mumbai, or you commit suicide,’
he remembers.”[12]
4.2 Misuse of credit cards
The wide distribution of credit cards by financial and retail businesses illustrates this new impersonal form of granting credit. Obtaining credit has become quite easy, and this has encouraged many people, who otherwise probably would have forgone the purchase, to purchase on credit. This has led to an explosion of personal debt over the quarter century in India, and more and more of people’s service is being spent to service their debt. It is hard to believe that those extending such credit really have the best interests of the ordinary consumer in mind. [13] Devichand has elaborated quite satisfactorily why the Indians are in so much debt today. He says “Until recently, the Indian middle class were deeply conservative borrowers. With a strong cultural aversion to loans and with very little finance on the market, most people lived frugally all their lives. But in the years before the global economic crunch, credit cards and loans flooded onto the markets of most Asian countries. The amount of outstanding credit card debt in India tripled between 2004 and 2007, according to industry reports. Private and foreign banks marketed credit cards and loans to consumers who had little experience of borrowing”.[14]
4.3 Unplanned
management of money
Cash is said to be an acid test of
character. The having of money comes with the responsibility of rightly using
it. It is not all meant to be spent. One of the primary reasons that draw
people into debt is unwise and unplanned use of their resources.[15] “Any enterprise is built
by wise planning, becomes strong though common sense, and profits wonderfully
by keeping abreast of the facts (Proverbs 24:3-4)”. Many are not aware or least
concerned about how they spent their money until they have spent it all. Then
there is no other way but to go into debt for managing the rest of the
necessities. [16]Another
reason is the excess use of resources way beyond what one can afford in order
to keep up societal images, to meet the needs and wants of children and spouses
etc.
4. Concerns regarding debt
5.1 Duration of
debt
When
personal loan is deemed necessary, how long should the loan remain outstanding?
In the OT, the Law placed a seven year limit on debt (Deut 15:1-11, 31:10-11).
Cancellation was to take place during the Feast of Tabernacles. But are these
financial principles practical or useful in the modern society? They are
clearly ignored today, and our debt burdens and the percentage of our income
used to service our debts bears much burden to the debtor.[17] What
can be said is that the time fixed for paying the debt should be fulfilled. Borrowing
is not a sin. If that
were true, what would we do with Scriptures that suggest that lending is a part
of daily life (Ps. 112:5; Luke 6:34-35)? Being able to lend money to others is
seen as a blessing (Deut. 28:12). If lending is permissible, borrowing must be
as well. Debt, if any, should be paid off as soon as possible because "the
wicked borrow and do not pay" (Ps. 37:21).[18]
5.2 Giving
D.L.Moody once walked into a meeting of a group of successful men praying for the financial need of the famed Moody Bible Institute. Mr. Moody must have startled them with his announcement, “Gentlemen, if I were you, I wouldn’t bother the Lord with this matter. We ought to take care of it ourselves”. They got off their knees, got out their check books and did just that. [19] The more fortunate in the society are called to give to those who are in need and help those who are in want. One may not be rich but there is another who is definitely poorer than him. The apostle John links money and the love of God. “But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” there is always a tendency to take the scriptures that speaks about money or rich people to apply them to someone else in the higher income bracket and is easily ignored and forgotten. However, the truth is that there is someone who would apply the same measure of standard to the one who thinks he is not in that category. The simple fact is everyone can possibly give in one way or the other.[20]
5.3 Interest
related hardships
Interest is the charge paid for using borrowed funds. It is generally expressed as an annual percentage rate paid on the outstanding balance due to the creditor. Interest is therefore the ’rent’ paid for using someone else’s money.[21] The practical outcome of debt is that many have reached a standard of living that is years ahead of their income and savings. They have thereby, become, in some real financial and psychological ways, servants of their possessions and slaves to their creditors.[22] The very heart throbs of God is felt in the beat of these nine short words “It is more blessed to give than receive”. This is the supreme beatitude.[23]
5. What does the Bible say about debts,
debtors and creditors?
The OT offers a number of warnings to
those who would accept and use credit (Prov 22:7, Hab 2:6-8). It also provides
many instructions to those who extend credit (Lev 25:35-38, DT 15: 1-11).[24] The assumption of
personal debt (not commercial debt) is clearly discouraged the Scriptures,
though not forbidden. Most of the biblical references to debt focus on the
relationship between prosperous creditiors and financially weak debtors. But
the Scripture also warns against the practice of using ‘borrowed’ funds to
enhance one’s standards of living (Hab 2:6-8). Just as God wants his people to
be free from sin (Deut 15:1-2), he also wants his people to be unencumbered by
debt. Both sin and debt are enslaving and destructive if they are not covered
and eliminated.[25]
The OT law forbade the Israelites to
charge interest on loans to their needy fellow believers. Does this mean that
all interest is forbidden by Scripture? If not, then when and under what
circumstances is it now legitimate? Are commercial loans to individuals, and
personal loans all to be treated alike in the light of the Scripture? The vast
majority of biblical references to money, interest, borrowing, debt and lending
are in the context of one individual to another one. Also they are more
concerned with the plight of the poor, not the wealthy. It is clear though,
that banks and institutional lending and borrowing were known (Matt 21:12,
25:27, Luke 19:23). Money changers and bankers who made loans and accepted
deposits were commonly understood. [26] It is the modern
phenomenon of establishing corporate institutions that are given the legal
status of ‘persons’ that has given rise to the assumption that God’s principles
governing debt and interest no longer apply. This is however, mistaken, for
individuals will be held accountable by God in the final judgement for every
thought, motion, intention, word and action for which they are responsible.
Those who work in corporate are simply stewards of other people’s wealth.[27]
6. Pastoral response
Money is primarily a medium of exchange.
It has served the purpose of a token of value between mankind from earliest
times. Money also serves to measure things but most importantly, it is one area
that measures human beings: their skill, talents, trustworthiness and
character, among many other things.[28] What then should be the response of the
pastor to those in debt? How should he deal with those who are in financial
dilemmas?
"People who have debts have not realised one
thing: that it's possible to come out of the debt," says VN Kulkarni, of
the Abhay Debt Counselling Centre in Mumbai. "You will be okay."[29] A pastor’s foremost role
as a counsellor is to give encouragement through the Word of God and to assure
them that no matter what situation they may be going through, they are not
alone.
Roger Hurding has proposed that Christian
counselling has 3 faces: Spiritual direction, counselling and healing. Christ
“the complete physician” brings restoration through this process and it is the
role of the Christian counsellor to be an instrument on fulfilling this.[30] “Spiritual direction is a
relationship in Christ…to discern more clearly the will of God for one’s life,
and to grow in discipleship.”[31] counselling is that
activity which is focussed good change in the life of other people[32] and finally the process
of healing. This does not take place over night but gradually. God is the
healer and the Christian counsellor should be the agent to bring about healing
in the life of the debtor who might have lost hope, suffocated in a state of
helplessness and frustration.
Debt dounselling can take place according to the
situation the debtors are into. The old saying “prevention is better than
cure,” still holds true. According to Malcolm MacGregor, the author of “Your
money matters”, the problem with finances is that it is unplanned and organised.[33] Hence the safest way not
to fall into the debt trap is to keep accounts of earnings and spending.
However, the problem is that most people go for counselling only when they are
already in debt. In such a situation is a Christian counsellor asked for help.
The following are some practical suggestions:
a)
Avoid Unnecessary Debt- Christian debt relief counsellors advise wise
use of resources even when such use means delaying a purchase rather than using
credit. They base the decision on verses such as Proverbs 21:20, "There is
treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man
spends it up." Some counsellors find a Biblical constraint against going
into debt of any kind in Romans 13:8: “ let no debt remain outstanding, except
the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowmen has fulfilled
the Law”. Others interpret this verse to permit responsible borrowing repaid in
a timely manner, but not frivolous borrowing that results in overextension. The bottom line is
that we should avoid putting a lender in the place of God by depending on them
to meet our needs, and we should not play God in our own lives by deciding that
the only way to meet our needs is to borrow.
b) Ask the client to face reality- The first step to take is to face reality and be honest about their situation.
It might sound obvious, but until they've done so they can't start tackling the
problem. It also helps to talk about the situation.
"Telling someone else takes away the stress," says Mike
Thomas, debt expert and Moneywise's own 'Debtwizard'. "Telling friends and
family also means you can avoid those awkward situations, such as eating out,
where one could be forced to spend more money than one has got."[34]
c) Patterns for money management
Decide what to do and
persist it[35]- Persistence is the key. Working extra hours or taking another job can
be a good way to earn more money until the debt is paid off. This can be done easily in the West but in a
country like India where unemployment is another major concern, jobs may not be
easily available. Hence, saving may be a better suggestion.
Saving- Encourage the debtor to save as much as he can and spend only on the
needs as far as possible.
God wants us to be obedient to his commands, but he also wants us to be wise in
how we live.[36].
Accounting- [37]
A Christian counsellor should help people to face the facts as to their
spending and also to compare what they spend on themselves and what they give
for others. Helping people maintain a personal balance sheet or personal budget
(monthly) is also an effective means to help check the management of money.
d) Instilling hope
People in debt go through emotional problems, beginning with depression.
Aaron Beck has described a series of negative thoughts in depression. When
people are depressed, they have negative thoughts about themselves, people and
the world. They become pessimistic and dread the future.[38] This is when the role of
Hope in Christ comes in. The assurance that Christ will be with us through the
storms of life is what needs to be shared. In such times of hardships, there is
great possibility that the person may strengthen his relationship with God. When we make unwise choices, such as accumulating
debt, we face the consequences. However, we can also trust that God will work
out his good purposes as we walk through the tough disciplines of living within
our means and paying off the debt we have accrued. [39]
e) The process of Healing
The Christian counsellor must assure the healing of Christ to the
counselee. The Bible makes clear that we have a God who not only heals but
allows suffering as Job says “For he wounds, but he also binds, He injures, but
his hands also heal”(Fob 5:18). God, who is both healer and the suffering
servant allows suffering within his redemptive plan. He will heal and restore
those who remain faithful to him.[40]
7.
Conclusion
Finally, the issue of trust remains.
The counsellor should give full assurance to his client that he will notbetray
his trust by sharing the client’s problems to people around. Only if the client
has confidence that the counsellor is genuinely trying to help him, will he
start sharing his problems.[41] Listening to the clients’
burden should be the initial step in any counselling before coming to any
conclsions, or suggestions. In the case of debt counselling, it is also wise to
refer the client to a professional debt counsellor who will know the
technicalities involved in money matters if complications are involved. Due to
the need for finance counselling, many organisations and banks now offer
counselling. Many Christians however, don’t have the courage to speak about
their finance problems. Rather, they chose to solve matters by themselves. In
such a situation, the Christian leader cannot impose people to sit for counselling.
Only if there is willingness from both sides can counselling happen.
Debt counselling is a need for our
country today with the increasing number of people in debt for different
reasons. The church should not only wait for people to come seeking for help
but also address such issues in the pulpit as well. This will help in the
growth of the church, both financially and spiritually.
Bibliography
Chewning, R.C. “Interest”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and
pastoral Theology. Leicester: Inter Varsity Press, 1995.
Chewning, R.C. “Debt”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and
pastoral Theology. Leicester: inter Varsity Press, 1995.
Chewning, R.C. “Credit”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and
pastoral Theology. Leicester: inter Varsity Press, 1995
Hurding, Roger. The Bible and
Counselling. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1992.
Mc Conaughy, David. Money, The
Acid Test. New York: Missionary Education Movement of the United States and
Canada, 1918.
MacGregor, Malcolm Training your
children to handle money. Minneapolis: Bethany fellowship, 1980
McLean, Gordon. Let God Manage
your Money. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1977.
Hunt, Mary. “What is wrong with credit card debt?” The Green Village. Christianity Today, 55/5, 2011.
Pierce, Earl. V. The Supreme Beautitude. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, ND.
Watts, Fraser, Nye, Rebecca and
Sara Savage, Psychology for Christian
minister. London: Routledge, 2003
Webliography
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13942060.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8088276_commercial-debt.html.
[1] David, Mc Conaughy. Money, The Acid test (New York: Missionary Education Movement of
the United States and Canada, 1918), 6
[2] Oxford advanced Learner’s Dictionary, (New York :
Oxford press, 2011),390.
[3] R.C.Chewning
“Debt”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New
Dictionary of Christian Ethics and pastoral Theology (Leicester: inter Varsity
Press, 1995), 286
[4] R.C.Chewning
“Credit”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New
Dictionary of Christian Ethics and pastoral Theology, (Leicester: inter Varsity
Press, 1995), 271
[5] Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 256
[6] R.C.Chewning
“Credit”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New
Dictionary of Christian Ethics and pastoral Theology 271
[7] R.C.Chewning
“Credit”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New
Dictionary of Christian Ethics and pastoral Theology, 271
[8] R.C. Chewning
“Credit”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New
Dictionary of Christian Ethics and pastoral Theology, 271
[9] [9] R.C. Chewning “Debt”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New
Dictionary of Christian Ethics and pastoral Theology, 287
[11] Earl. V. Pierce,
The Supreme Beautitude. (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, ND)145.
[13] R.C.Chewning
“Credit”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and
pastoral Theology, 272
[15] David Mc Conaughy. Money,
The Acid test. (New York: Missionary Education Movement of the United
States and Canada, 1918), 55.
[16] David Mc Conaughy. Money,
The Acid test, 139.
[17] R.C.Chewning
“Credit”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and
Pastoral Theology, 272
[18] Mary Hunt, “What
is wrong with credit card debt?” The
Green Village. Christianity Today, 55/5, 2011, 65
[19] Gordon McLean, Let
God Manage your Money (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1977),
119.
[20] Charles C, Ryrie, Balancing
the Christian life. (Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1994), 88.
[21] R.C.Chewning
“Interest”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and
Pastoral Theology, 496
[22] R.C.Chewning
“Credit”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and
Pastoral Theology, 272
[23] Earl.V.Pierce, The Supreme Beatitude, 13.
[24] R.C. Chewning
“Credit”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and
Pastoral Theology, 272
[25] R.C. Chewning
“Debt”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New
Dictionary of Christian Ethics and pastoral Theology, 286
[26] R.C.Chewning
“Interest”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and
pastoral Theology, 497
[27] R.C.Chewning
“Interest”, David. J. Atkinson and David H.Field eds, New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and
pastoral Theology, 498
[28] David, Mc Conaughy. Money, The Acid test, 8.
[30] Roger Hurding, The
Bible and Counselling, (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1992), 58.
[31]Roger Hurding, The Bible and
Counselling, 58.
[32] Roger Hurding, The
Bible and Counselling, 63
[33] Malcolm MacGregor, Training
your children to handle money (Minneapolis: Bethany fellowship, 1980), 30.
[34] Ron Blue, “What
is wrong with credit card debt?” The
Green Village. Christianity Today, 55/5, 2011, 64
[35] Malcolm MacGregor, Training
your children to handle money, 53.
[36] Ron Blue, “What
is wrong with credit card debt?” The
Green Village. Christianity Today, 64
[37] David Mc Conaughy. Money,
The Acid test, 141.
[38] Fraser Watts,
Rebecca Nye and Sara Savage, Psychology
for Christian minister. (London: Routledge, 2003), 172.
[39] Malcolm MacGregor, Training
your children to handle money,53.
[40]Roger Hurding, The
Bible and Counselling, 74.
[41] Class lectures.
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