What does the Bible Say about Debt?


Debt can a burden for most people. People may start with a small amount of debt but eventually, the amount of debt can become overwhelming and monthly payments may take a huge cut of one’s income.

Nowadays, everyone have some kind of debt – credit card debt, mortgage, car loans, student loans, and much more. Our approach to debt can severely impact other aspects of our lives.

Depend on God

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Large amounts of debt can negatively impact other aspects of your life since large amounts of debt can weigh on you.

God is more than capable to do anything. Come to God and tell Him all your worries and problems and He will give you rest. Depend on God on debt and everything and He will give you rest for your souls.

We might have depended on our own strength and own will for much of our life in solving finances and life problems in general. God invites us to come to Him.

Do Not Worry and Trust God

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:31-33

Large amounts of debt can feel overwhelming and not worrying about it seems unrealistic. God has promised in His word that all of our needs will be taken care of as long as we “seek first his kingdom” (Matthew 6:33).

Seek first what God’s will is for your life. Seek what is pleasing to God and is honorable to Him.

Also, worrying do not solve the problem. Instead of worrying, we can try to entrust God the debt problem and ask His will for your life.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Furthermore, we will have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding in the midst of life’s problems when we pray and depended on Him.

Pay Back what you owe

The wicked borrow and do not repay,
    but the righteous give generously;

Psalm 37:21

The bible is clear that we have to repay what we owe. When we enter to a contract and promised to pay debt, we have to pay it back.

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Romans 13:7

Borrower is Slave to the Lender

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Proverbs 22:7

Owing debt to somebody limits our financial freedom. Debt gives you an obligation to pay it back in the future. Your financial options can be more limited in the future when the debt is due. Debt payments could have been used to pay for other things.

God is Faithful and True to His promises

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Remember that God is always faithful. Whatever problems we may have, we can find rest knowing that God is true to His promises.

Focus on God

Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Matthew 14:28-30

Problems can take our whole attention and may be much bigger than it actually is. At the end of the day, God is greater than any problems. God created the heavens and the Earth and everything in it. God is the Lord of lords and the King of kings.

When we focus on God, our problems will seem much smaller. Focusing on God will help us realize what are the truly important things in life.

On Matthew 14, Peter and the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water. Peter asked Jesus to ask him to come on the water. At first, Peter managed to walk on the water through Jesus since Peter focused on Him.

However, Peter began to be afraid and saw the wind that made him began to sink until Jesus saved Him.

In the same way, nothing is impossible when we focus on God and trust in Him. Life’s problems and challenges will be more surmountable when we have Jesus since we know that God is capable of doing anything.

When we focus on life’s problems and lost focus on God and ignore God, we can easily be overcome by problems and be under a lot of stress and pressure. Focusing on problems will make us more worried. Time and energy may be wasted when we worry.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Lastly, problems such as debt can ultimately give us experience and know God deeper when we overcome it through God. Life’s problems can ultimately make us closer to God especially after we overcome it through Him.

Whatever we are going through, we can find rest that all things works together for good to those who love God. We may not understand why things are happening today but afterwards, things will get more clearer as to why it happened.

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