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Why would Jesus use this parable if he was against intrest? After he says many times he reaps where he does not sow.
Already Paid These nations have already paid back their debts time and again. The debt crisis set in when interest rates skyrocketed and compound interest made repayment impossible.
FACT: From 1970-2002, Africa received some $540 billion in loans and paid back $550 billion in principal and interest. Yet Africa remains today with a debt stock of $295 billion.
Strings Attached The conditions that come with new loans and debt relief hurt the poor. Debt relief under the current program keeps essential human services, like primary health and education and access to safe water, out of reach of the impoverished majority.
FACT: Debt relief is conditioned on requirements that countries limit government spending, private basic services, and/or change trade and investment rules.
Don't Owe
Much of the debt is a result of "bad faith" lending including:
The practice of pushing loans on developing nations because banks had too much money and had to lend it Knowingly lending to corrupt governments for political purposes ending with conditions ensuring profits return to the creditors
Debt is a New Kind of Slavery
International debt slavery means that countries are caught in a debt trap that they can't escape. The debt trap is composed of economic conditions that take away a country's sovereignty and freedom. When countries are enslaved by debt they can't improve the lives of their citizens nor gain control over their own futures.
"Every child in Africa is born with a financial burden which a lifetime's work cannot repay. The debt is a new form of slavery as vicious as the slave trade."
All Africa Council of Churches
Akragon
DISRAELI
Akragon
These people are in need... In need of money... and the more they make the happier they are...
The examples I quoted were not genuine "need" for money, but only desire for it on the part of the buseinessmen and the bankers.
So there is no reason why we should be under a moral obligation to give them money freely.
Do you genuinely feel a moral impulse to give the bankers as much money as they like, up to the limits of your ability? Of course you don't. And I suggest that Jesus is not telling you to give them all your money.
The words of Jesus in the gospel are an expanded commentary on "love your neighbour", and there is nothing "unloving to your neighbour" in the act of accepting interest on bank accounts.
edit on 21-3-2014 by DISRAELI because: (no reason given)
Of course He's not saying Give the bankers your money... In fact I believe Jesus would be outraged by the very existence of banks, and bankers.
And we're not talking about "bank accounts" either... You provide a bank with your money for them to invest, in return they "give" you interest on that money... that is not usury
Usury is charging interest on money that is borrowed...
Lend freely, means if your brother is in need of money, give him what he/she needs... and expect nothing in return, that is giving...
IF I gave you $100... and said when you return this money to me, I want 10% interest on it... That is Usury...
Now what IF that money I lent you had no return on whatever investment you had planed... You still have to return my $100 dollars, plus now you owe me an extra $10 which you don't have.... Now you're in debt to me...
Evil I tell you... Pure and simple
and yes... banks are evil corperations
edit on 21-3-2014 by Akragon because: (no reason given)
Matthew 25: 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
While it is acceptable enough for Jesus to use in a parable, endorsing banking for those who are not able or wise enough to turn a profit on investment, should look for ways to increase the investment even if it means going to a bank.
The only problem Jesus had with it was the exploitation of the poor.
LittleByLittle
reply to post by WarminIndy
While it is acceptable enough for Jesus to use in a parable, endorsing banking for those who are not able or wise enough to turn a profit on investment, should look for ways to increase the investment even if it means going to a bank.
The only problem Jesus had with it was the exploitation of the poor.
If Jesus think usury is acceptable then Jesus clearly is missing the big picture. Usury is hoarding off wealth and the funny thing the poorer the people are who are gonna pay the higher the interest the banks want.
Dump money on corrupt politicians and then enslave the inhabitants of that country even if you did not get anything for the money lent. Economic enslavement for all future generations. Soon coming full swing to US.
www.usdebtclock.org...edit on 21-3-2014 by LittleByLittle because: (no reason given)
pstrron
reply to post by Akragon
It seems your misunderstanding what was said. Simple interest is just that, simple. If I borrow $10 @ 10% simple interest, all that I owe is $10 + $1 in interest no matter how long I have the borrowed $10. That is not evil.
However, what the banks do is not even remotely the same as that. They lend money out on compound interest at variable rates plus money they do not have and charge interest on the imaginary money, pure evil. That is what has caused the world to be in the fix it is today.
The money you place in the bank is stolen by the bank from you since they did not tell you that once you deposited it into their banking system you are giving it to them and it no longer is yours but theirs. That's theft but to help you feel good about it they tell you they will give you .02% interest on the money you gave them, how generous of them. Then they charge fees on your account above that interest so that it is always a minus. It's a scam any way you look at it. Now with direct deposit you never get any money or compensation for your labor as it's given directly to the bank, thus not yours!
If the banks operated on a simple interest lending system and only with the amount that they had, there wouldn't be a problem. Also if they used your money in investments, your entitled to a percentage of the increase as to what ever your agreement stipulates. Of course they will not go this direction as it would cut them off of any greed.
The problem is not with simple interest but with how usury is done today. Yes we should do for the poor and needy and not burden them usury which they can not afford.
Actually no, Jesus would not be appalled because He used the parable of the talents.
While it is acceptable enough for Jesus to use in a parable, endorsing banking for those who are not able or wise enough to turn a profit on investment, should look for ways to increase the investment even if it means going to a bank.
The only problem Jesus had with it was the exploitation of the poor.
It seems your misunderstanding what was said. Simple interest is just that, simple. If I borrow $10 @ 10% simple interest, all that I owe is $10 + $1 in interest no matter how long I have the borrowed $10. That is not evil.
Is not giving someone else in need your hard earned reward such as crop or money a risk?
? Should you not be entitled to something in return for such a risk?
I cant see many going for 1:1 (1 given 1 returned). Would 1:1 discourage hard work and giving as well?