“And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us” – (Mathew 6:14).
There is a common saying in the Ugandan trading community “sitya loss” which is to say that to be a trader one has to have a thick skin. When you advance credit sometimes you win when the person pays back their dues, hopefully with interest. However, sometimes you lose with those who default.
A question is what do you do to those who do not come through on their obligations, perhaps even deliberately? In the above verse, Jesus tells us “to forgive our debtors” because after all, we are forgiven. Though it might not make a lot of business sense initially the account that is forgiven may pay itself back with those who meet their dues. Actually money lenders know where there is a defaulter others do good, which gives a cushion to the loss. Forgiveness of a legal debt is certainly not a recommended business practice, but the spiritual basis here, which is our focus, we all know we too have been forgiven and strictly speaking the debt of our sin was not equal the price of the blood of Christ on the cross!
As they settled down the Lord advised the Israelites, “At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts” (Deuteronomy 15:1). In spite of a fear of loss He promised, “For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you” ( vv 6)
Of course, lest we lose sight of it, believers ought to pay their dues, whenever they take on debts. This is only good because of the need to keep a good name of Christ in the community. Relationships are soured whenever one defaults on their legal obligations and bridges burnt.
Traditionally believers would not even take on debts. It is safer that way. “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law” (Rom 13:8, NLT).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that as you have forgiven me, I too may be quick to forgive others, because of your priceless blood which paid the ultimate sacrifice for my eternal salvation, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
