Debt

This week was the anniversary of debtors' prison in Kentucky.  It really got me thinking.  I researched and incidentally stumbled upon the true facts of debtors prison.  I was shocked to find out that this still existed.  As I watched "It's A Wonderful Life" last night, I watched as people lived simply, provided needs for others, and scraped by on what they had.  I reflected on our own society, where debt is so commonplace, we don't even blink when signing a car loan (when the other car was just fine), where we engorge ourselves over and above our means for many reasons.  We have car companies who have overindulged themselves who needed government assistance to get up and running again.  This article reflects on that incident, the good and the bad of it, making a good point that the car companies are worth more running than not running.  I have reflected on second chances, forgiveness, mercy, and justice.

I think about my college professors who put up with my chatty and inattentive self, but gave me the internship of a lifetime that changed the course of my life.  I think about how people poured into me, loved on me, let me lunch with important people, molded me, and were patient when I was impatient.  People whose support, kindness, and love only makes me want to reciprocate it by paying it forward.  I have a huge debt to pay it forward.

"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants.  As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars.  He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.

The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.  Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.

The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars.  He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up.  Now!"

The poor wretch there himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it back.  But he wouldn't do it.  He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid.  When the other servant saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.

The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant!  I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy.  Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?'  The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt.  And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy." --Matthew 18:21-35