I have bankruptcy on my mind these days. Not that I'm getting ready to file, mind you. No, it's all the coverage insolvency is getting in the media. Chrysler. GM. Banks. Litigation. Government intervention. Supreme Court appeals. Reorganization versus liquidation. The rights of debtors... unions...other stakeholders. Makes me wish I was a lawyer!
I also have access to Bible Gateway. So I keyed in five different word searches: bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganization and, finally, debtor-in-possession financing. And got no matches in the Bible (NIV translation) . Not a one. [BTW, just kidding on the last one -- but the first four were real keyword searches].
Does that mean the Bible has nothing to say about bankruptcy? I don't think so. The Word has something to say on every important topic. And this is certainly an important topic, no? So I started thinking about synonyms and similar concepts, versus those specific words. And sure enough, I find some very explicit teaching on bankruptcy, and how a Christian should approach it. Now that I've got your interest, read on.
"In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old." [Isaiah 63:9]
And that's just one explicit reference to insolvency...to distress... to the need for a bailout, a rescue. Isaiah of course is talking about God the Father...that He too is distressed by our distress, because he is the God of mercy. He is the creator who takes an active and ongoing interest in his creation, even -- better yet, especially -- when we are in distress. When we are bankrupt. When our liabilities exceed any assets we may claim title too.
What is God's approach to bankruptcy? Let's really drill down on this. Is our merciful and just God more focused on justice when we go into that bankruptcy hearing? Or does he accentuate mercy? Do we have a divine judge at that hearing who is focused on what His law requires? Or do we have a judge who will be more sympathetic to the mess we're in, and relax the demands of justice relative to our particular situation?
To put it in very specific bankruptcy lingo, is God looking for a good reorganization plan when we come before Him (Chapter 11 bankruptcy)? Or, is our bankruptcy proceeding a liquidation (chapter 7)? Would do you think?
You may ask for an illustration. Here goes. Let's say that you've become convinced that the way you have approached your life to date is not working. You realize that the things that you have trusted in are not trustworthy. It might be your balance sheet. It might be your resume. It might be your beautiful appearance. Maybe it's a sense of humor...or an inheritance that you expected. Whatever it is, you reach the conclusion that it is insufficient to carry you forward. To give your life meaning. To give you a sense of net worth. To give you assurance that you are right with your Creator.
So you go into celestial bankruptcy court to plead your case. What argument would you present to God for his mercy? You want to be relieved of your debt, and you want to be able to proceed with a clean slate. One approach -- one argument -- would be to present a personal plan of reorganization. "God, I've messed things up. You know that better than I do. But I've got good news. If you will only wipe the slate clean, forgive me these debts that I owe you, I promise to clean up my act. I promise to do better. I promise to perform in a manner more consistent with your way...once I exit the courtroom. Please grant me the stay, the relief, of your divine bankruptcy process."
A very different argument might go like this: "God, I have nothing. I have no merit to base my plea for mercy upon. I have no recovery plan. I am completely spent. I'm incapable of ever restructuring my life to please you. Yet I ask you to liquidate your claim against me. I rightly deserve your wrath and your judgment, but I appeal for your mercy. I base that appeal not on my own plan or effort or merit, but on the accomplished work of your Son, Jesus Christ. Only in him do I make this appeal for mercy."
I've tried a Chapter 11 reorganization argument with God more than once. It doesn't work. Every time I exited the discussion with my "recovery" plan, it failed. I failed. My good intentions -- my sincere desire to clean up my act -- had no power associated with it. I went from insolvency to insolvency, a bankruptcy recidivist.
It took me entering chapter 7, a complete liquidation, for there to be any hope of moving forward. With my life in permanent receivership, I suddenly discovered a power outside of me that could actually change me. That could clean up my act. But that cleansing is an output -- a result -- not an input to my salvation. The rejuvenating power of the Holy Spirit, which comes to us when we throw ourselves on the mercy of the liquidating sovereign -- now that creates change. Real change. Permanent change. Change that you can bank on.
Chris Joyce
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