Day 26 – Forgive us our sins as we forgive

Debt forgiveness seems to be an absent or even foreign concept in this age of massive amount of debt. Take it even further to say that debt is big money. In the past 20 years the number of collection companies has grown from a few small firms to a national network of inter related companies that feed off each other. In my days before and during seminary I worked for Target Stores in the Financial Services Department. Basically I was the jerk that declined your check, investigated check fraud, and towards the end of my career with Target I was involved with one of the biggest money making endeavors for Target – their own branded Visa card. We were told (not breaking any company secrets here) that debt was big business. If we could get customers over their heads in debt we would have them for at least 10-15 years of revolving debt that perhaps may even go into default. Truth was Target made more money in credit card and default debt than in store sales. Sad but very true as we pull the veil off and see that debt runs this country. Indebtedness though comes with certain weights. Consider how much in prison we feel when consumed by debt. Owing money to others is as part of life as is getting a cup of coffee. I often wonder if we could move past such a system – be debt free as Dave Ramsey suggests. Seems very tempting but unrealistic, but here today the Gospel proclaims that we are free from our debts – so now go and do likewise to our neighbors. Take out that big PAID stamp and go to town on the sins that have broken down relationships in your life. Give freedom to those in captivity from sin, brokenness, and lacking in hope. Be that forgiving person that people just can't figure out.