In the history of mankind, real freedom has been a rare experience. Many believe they are free today, but they are in fact in bondage. Although subject to Rome, the Jews in the days of Jesus claimed, “. . .We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man. . .Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:33, 34). Not only were they not politically free, they were not morally free. Instead of having liberty, as is supposed, anyone who openly practices sin is in bondage to that sin.

Until one is financially free, he is not really free. Solomon, the wisest of men, said by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Prov. 22:7). For this reason, the Apostle Paul exhorted the Roman Christians to “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. . .” (Rom. 13:8). In earlier times, those who could not pay their debts become bond-servants to those whom they owed until their debts were paid.

Most people think we are free because we live in America. But are we really free? No people who are enslaved to their own lusts have liberty. Sin rules over them. Until the Lord Jesus makes them free from the penalty and power of sin, they are not free (John 8:36). Likewise, those in debt are not free. Having borrowed more than they can repay, individuals and families are now discovering they are indebted to lenders and thus, not free. Our entire nation has incurred such a large debt that no one can even visualize the size of it, yet our leaders continue to borrow and spend without restraint. They have made the citizens and their children slaves by this indebtedness, and few even realize it. Thus, the prophecy of Revelation 18:13 concerning slaves and the souls of men is being fulfilled.