Times are tough and many people are choosing to walk away from debt voluntarily especially when it comes to mortgages. Voluntary Foreclosure or the act of choosing not to pay a debt that is owed is a dangerous line to cross for Christians. Scripture is very clear about those that do not pay what they owe and about the rules regarding payment of debts.

Ultimately the goal is to owe no one anything but today’s society has made borrowing a “normal” aspect of life which is the easiest way to avoid voluntary foreclosure or other debt problems. Christians must be the example during these down economic times and work hard to pay all that they owe.

Scriptural Reasons to Avoid Voluntary Foreclosure

Voluntary foreclosure is choosing to NOT pay what you have agreed to pay – Psalm 37:21 “The Wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives”

Voluntary foreclosure is choosing not to pay what is owed in the hopes that the bank or lender can get what is owed by selling the collateral – Romans 13:7 “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed”

The goal of Christians is to always pay what is owed when something is owed. Circumstances may make that impossible and lenders may refuse to work out new or different terms to make payments possible. Lenders may push the situation to foreclosure or bankruptcy and that is their right as the lender. Christians are called to be the example and must work harder to pay those debts instead of choosing the path of voluntary foreclosure.