–– Warrick Jubber

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Hezekiah was a faithful king and one of the best to rule over Judah. 2 Kings 18:3 records that, “He did what was right in the sight of Yahweh, according to all that David his father had done.” Nevertheless, he foolishly let an envoy from Babylon explore his kingdom and even the treasuries of Jerusalem. Isaiah confronted him with the consequence of a future Babylonian invasion that would include the capture and captivity of his sons. Isaiah 39:8 records that Hezekiah responded with the words, “‘The word of Yahweh which you have spoken is good.’ For he said, ‘For there will be peace and truth in my days.’” Hezekiah was relieved that he and his generation wouldn’t suffer the Babylonian invasion. As we would say, he kicked the can down the road and left his sons and their generation to deal with the consequences of his folly. 

This seems to be the attitude of many governments around the world, especially in Africa, as they recklessly spend on government projects that leave future generations to deal with the consequences.

In Proverbs 22:7, Solomon warns that, “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is the slave of the lender.” This wisdom was intended to help families make sound financial decisions, but it is imperative that national governments consider the principle too. Scripture is clear that the borrower must repay the lender, whether the debt is between individuals, companies, or nations. As Psalm 37:21 teaches, “The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives.”

According to UN Trade and Development data, public debt in Africa reached USD 1.8 trillion in 2022. As the report states, “While this is a fraction of the overall outstanding debt of developing countries, Africa’s debt has increased by 183% since 2010, a rate roughly four times higher than its growth rate of GDP in dollar terms.” Data from the International Monetary Fund similarly suggests a concerning trend of increasing national debt by African countries that is outstripping the growth in GDP that would allow these countries to pay their debts. 

It is apparent that many African rulers have the same view as Hezekiah—as long as it doesn’t affect them and their generation, they are only too happy to kick the can down the road and leave their children to deal with the consequences. 

Some have argued that the ballooning debt of African and other developing countries is the result of exploitation by wealthier nations. However, as P. T. Bauer, a former Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, contends, it is more a reflection of internal mismanagement than external exploitation. In his book Equality, the Third World, and Economic Delusion, he writes—

“The external debts of the Third World are not the result or reflection of exploitation. They represent resources supplied…. Difficulties of servicing these debts do not reflect external exploitation or unfavorable terms of trade. They are the result of wasteful use of the capital supplied, or inappropriate monetary and fiscal policies” (cited in Asmus and Grudem, Poverty of Nations, 91).

Not only does the rising national debt of most African countries represent wasteful expenditure, but it also leaves future generations to face to harmful consequences of unserviceable debt. As Proverbs 22:7 warns, “The borrower is the slave of the lender.” When African nations are no longer able to pay what they owe to other nations, they will be forced to either default on their debts which would be severely detrimental to further investments in the country, or they will be open to the exploitation of those countries to which they are then enslaved by their debts.

The enslavement of future generations to their creditors is especially concerning considering the nations to which they owe the money. China has been steadily increasing its investment in Africa since 2003, investing billions in the continent since then. At some point, China will want a return on its investment which has the potential to draw African nations into unfavorable terms or even into compromised positions in international politics. South Africa’s partnership with China in the BRICS investment block has seen it shift alliances internationally to support China and its allies against the Western nations that remain South Africa’s most significant trade and investment partners.

Through democratic elections and other means of government accountability, it is imperative that Christian citizens demand that their rulers stop kicking the can down the road. Governments should not rely on national debt to fund expenditure, but should instead operate by the principles of financial wisdom that Scripture reveals. By the common grace of God, He places this wisdom within the reach of even unbelieving government officials.