Social justice and personal debt

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dianejoy

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What is our responsibility as Church with tuition debt? Is it our responsibility through social justice teaching to expect payment?
 
I think this is correct, but if I am wrong, feel free to correct me.

We should keep true to our words, and pay back our debts as they are owed. To expect payment is not a bad thing, and to remind people kindly they are to repay you isn’t bad either. It’s only if we start making their lives miserable in order to get them to repay us that we are doing wrong.

In addition, we are not to ask for interest on debts that is above a reasonable amount. Interest on loans is not evil (i.e, I lend you $100, and ask that you pay me back, through a system of smaller payments, $105. This is allowable as I am risking my finances on you.) but to have interest rates that are way over the top is wrong. (i.e, I lend you $100, and demand you pay me back $200 through a system of smaller payments. This is wrong, as it is not being charitable. It’s called “usury”.)

It used to be believed that all interest on loans is wrong, that one should not expect back any interest on money they loan to others. However, it is now fair to say that to expect a little interest on money you give out is not a bad thing. One should also be very accommodating and understanding if the borrower is having difficulties paying back the loans. However, the borrower does have a duty to repay the lender what they owe him/her.
 
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