“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).
As the first half of the proverb points out, the wealthy have inherent advantages and power over the poor. On the financial hierarchy of influence, this is reality. That power becomes more onerous when the poor—because of a desire for instant gratification—opts to borrow to “get ahead”. The surety of such a loan is his freedom.
Instant gratification—especially in the financial realm—is a sure path to slavery. In the ancient Hebrew nation (and many nations before and since), a man who could not or would not pay his financial obligations was sold into slavery (Ex. 22:3). In Israel, the debt was forgiven after six years of service (Ex. 21:3), and the freed slave was not to be let go empty-handed (Deut. 15:13). Not so, in almost every other nation.
When your outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall.
