Anumang hiramin ng taong masama, di na ibabalik sa kanyang kapwa, ngunit ang matuwid na puso’y dakila, ang palad ay bukás at may pang-unawa.

Awit 37:21

“Kapag inggit, pikit,” ang isa sa mga trending memes sa social media ngayon. Its purpose is to call out people na mabilis mag-judge sa decisions ng iba when it comes to gastos and lifestyle. This particular meme can also be applied sa usapang utang. It somehow reminds us to think about our priorities first bago tayo bumili ng mga bagay, damit, o pagkain na alam naman nating luho lang and out of inggit kaya gusto nating makuha.

Repaying our debts pleases and honors God. In Romans 13:7, we are being encouraged to “give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

In Proverbs 22:7 naman, it was even mentioned na ang nangungutang ay nagiging slave to the lender. It’s because when we borrow money, natatali tayo ng obligation natin to repay our debts sa pinagkakautangan natin. Kaya nga liberating kapag nakakabayad tayo dahil napuputol na ang tali ng lender sa atin.

It is also an ethical thing to repay our debts, and we have to take it seriously. Repaying our debts also shows that we are honest, responsible, and trustworthy people. Wala mang nakukulong dahil sa utang, ang pagbabalik ng ating mga hiniram sa kanilang rightful owner is a matter of character, fairness, and trust. It shows who we truly are.

If we make repaying our debts a habit, makakaiwas din tayo sa harassment, intimidation, at pamamahiya ng lending companies and individuals na nahiraman natin ng pera. Sabi nga sa Mga Kawikaan 22:1, “Mas mabuting piliin ang malinis na pangalan, kaysa pilak at ginto o anumang kayamanan.”

Huwag nating gawing habit ang pangungutang. Most of the time, it’s not a money or overspending problem but a contentment problem.