There is one beauty about the current economical, worldwide crisis...there are debts, which can hardly or not at all be payed back by us or future generations...so it seems
To me the offer in Christ to have the forgiveness of my sins is just incomprehensable, as much & more as the monetary debt-burdens & sums they toy with & attempt to "forgive" /pay...
Christians believe it to be a gift,not anything we can work for...that's where the fundamental difference to other religions lies...there you have to work your "way up"...according to NT, that is impossible....it's like the old comparison, not to be able to get yourself out of the swamp by pulling yourself out at the hair...
However this is the attempt, the picture of the majority of followers of religion nowadays...with the result, that men praise other people for their efforts...
THREE DEBTS DURING LIFE
First Debt to God that can be repaid by dedicating one’s life to the service of God - this is done by :
Service to all mankind
Reverence for elders, teacher
Practice of non-violence, truthfulness, respectfulness
Obeying scriptural injunction
Protection of the Earth
Vegetarianism or Purity in Diet
Moderation/Simplicity
Non-interference
Universality
Peace
Second Debt to sages and saints that can be repaid by
Reverence and and service to saints, sages and gurus
Transmission of the scriptural teaching and cultural heritage
serving the society and poor, without expectation of returns
Third Debt to one’s ancestors
Can be repaid by raising one’s family in accordance with the moral and ethical principals of dharma