Before you begin your journey to get out of debt, it is important to know what the Bible says about debt.
You can then use these truths to build your faith since faith comes by hearing the word.
Once you have a solid understanding of what God has to say about the issue, then you can boldly pray about your debt in faith.
What does the Bible say about Debt?
The borrower is slave to the lender. When you are in debt to another, you enter into a slave/master relationship with your creditor. (Proverbs 22:7)
God wants us to lend to others. Obviously, this is difficult if you don’t have anything to lend. (Deuteronomy 15:6, 28:12, Matthew 5:42)
We are required to pay back what we borrowed. It is easy to take this lightly, but if we borrowed it, we should 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
“The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;” Psalm 37:21
“It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.” Ecclesiastes 5:4
What the Bible does NOT say about debt
That it is a sin to be in debt. Like mentioned above, it is not God’s best for us, but the Bible does not say that it is a sin.
That God will provide through a loan. He provided for His people in many ways but loans were not his preferred method. That is something to think about next time you get tempted to reach for the credit card.
What are the Biblical promises about debt
The way I look at it, Jesus came to set us free from the bondage of sin. We were slaves to sin, until He set us free. If He wanted to set us free in one area, why would He want us to be slaves in another?
I also love Deuteronomy 28:12:
“The Lord will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.”
This verse is one of the promises that I stand on when praying about my debt. The prerequisite listed in Deuteronomy 28:1 is that we “diligently obey the Lord your God.”
God can NOT keep us out of debt
I believe God would love to see His children living debt-free lives. But, as stewards of the money that He has entrusted to us, we have a free will to do what we wish with it. We can choose to give it, save it, spend it, or even spend more than we have.
I also believe that God will work on our behalf to help get us out of debt, but we have a big part to play – to stop spending more than we have! It doesn’t matter how much God provides – as long as we are spending more money than we have, we will always be in debt.
It’s bigger than us
As Christians we have the opportunity to use our finances to build God’s Kingdom. Every decision we make with our money may be much larger than we realize.
Speaking for myself, I know it is easy to get caught up in trying to store up treasures on earth, when I know I should be storing them up in heaven.
Every time I do, I get a gentle nudge back on to the narrow path that I am so thankful for. Storing up treasures in heaven is the way to live!
If you liked this article, be sure to check out the 5 Bible verses on money that has revolutionized my financial life!
@Shannon
I am with you – banks are getting way too much of our money that needs to be used for Kingdom purposes… As far as writing a post about lending, I probably will write something. I know that there is some disagreement about charging interest on loans – so maybe we can get some responses from the readers about it…
But for now I do have a hefty list of scriptures about lending on the Money in the Bible page
Thanks for a thought-provoking post. I don’t really like thinking of myself as a slave to the bank! Anyway, have you considered writing one one what the Bible says about lending? I believe there are a few verses about not expecting to get our money back and about not loaning at interest. I sometimes wonder if it is wrong to be investing for those reasons — but then the parable of the talents seems to suggest that investing wisely expected of us.
Why buy one house for you and two houses for the banker. If you are a borrower you are a slave. By your own hand, by contract. It may look good to buy rather than rent, but it is not.
You are not to loan at interest or pay interest (usury). You can loan to a non-believer, a non-Christian or a non-Hebrew. But you are also not allowed to hold collateral after sundown. So the bank keeping your house as collateral is outlawed. We know the banks don’t follow GODs law.
All debts are forgiven in the year of release, every 7 years. The next one is 6 years from now. Of course the heathen bankers do not follow scripture, That is how you can tell they are evil in that they do not follow scripture.
Rev_14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Yehushua.
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” _______1John3:4
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. _______1John8:11
So if you keep the commandments of GOD you cannot get a home loan. you are forbidden form paying usury because GOD said so.
Eze_18:17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
Yehushua said in the parable that at least the man could have done something for GOD with his money. It was more about creating fruit for GOD than about making money.
Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Here are the scripture on usury,
Exo_22:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
Lev_25:36 Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.
Lev_25:37 Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
Deu_23:19 Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:
Deu_23:20 Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
Neh_5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
Neh_5:10 I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
Psa_15:5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
Pro_28:8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Isa_24:2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.
Jer_15:10 Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.
Eze_18:8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
Eze_18:13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
Eze_18:17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
Eze_22:12 In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.
Mat_25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Luk_19:23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
@Amy
I checked out your article and was going to leave you a comment on your site, but I don’t think comments were turned on… Anyway, I am with you – still trying to find the Biblical truth to the question…
My thoughts on it: I agree with you completely mathematically, it makes sense and is logical and I have read a ton of authors who explain how they make their money with OPM (other people’s money).
The thing I keep coming back to is that often God’s ways don’t make sense in our minds. Think about giving – it doesn’t make sense that if you give you will have more. But it is a principle that I found to be true over and over in my life. Prayer – talking to someone who you have never seen or heard before (sounds crazy doesn’t it 🙂 ). You know, there are so many other biblical principles that work the same way – requiring Faith rather than our understanding.
So, this is where I have landed on the whole debt issue. No, it isn’t a sin, but I would love to never have to take out another loan as long as I live. I guess you can call it a step of faith if you want to.
Amy, I would love to hear how this resonates with you…
I agree with you on that Bob. As someone who has only recently started to honor God and being faithful with my finances, I have learned in a very short time that giving more yields more return. As for OPM – I have read quite a bit about the same topic and I don’t condemn anyone who found it working for them. Personally, the Lord has proven to me that I will be a giver and not an “eater”, meaning I will give and not take. That includes getting financially free on other people’s money…even the bank’s.
I will stand on Luke 6:36 I mentioned down below:
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
“There are no instances in the Bible where God provides through a loan.”
YES THERE IS!
II Kings 4:1-7 tells the story of the impoverished widow was on the verge of losing her sons because of the debt of her late husband. In verse 3, the prophet Elisha told her “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few.” God then proceeded to use the vessels to supernaturally provide the funds to redeem her sons from slavery and to provide for the needs of her household.
In fact, the size of this miracle was limited to how many vessels the widow could borrow!
Also, God’ provision was for a lot more than settling her debt. Our God is a God of more than enough.
Note also that God used what the widow already had. We are not limited from God’s blessing based on what we DO NOT have.
While the Bible generally does not encourage debt, this passage does indicate that there are instances in which it is appropriate — and even encouraged!
Yes she borrowed but it was nonperishable and nonconsummable. My point is, that wasn’t debt. They could have gotten the pot at anytime and she would not have been homeless(like a mortgage) or stigmatized(credit card debt). What the prophet asked didnt have the potential to enslave her in anyway. So it was merely at test of faith creating how much action or effort to get results. Larry was right. God Bless
Denise,
I agree with your comment. The widow was borrowing pots, not money. The pots were going to be filled by God in measure to her faith which was displayed by how willing she was to ask for pots to borrow.
At first glance it seems like this is God telling the widow to borrow, but I don’t believe it is in the same motivation as what this article is discussing, primarily financial borrowing and being slave to it. This was a test of faith rather than a license to borrow beyond her means.
what if she broke the vessel before they could be returned?
Are you prepared to loose everything?
We are entering a time where there will be a massive transfer of wealth to the rich. As Christians we have allowed ourselves to be drawn into the debt monster well beyond common sense. Let me explain: The world (all nations without exception) is so in debt that the current financial system as we know it now will collapse in a matter of a few years, if that long. When this happen there will be a world wide hyper inflation of money (your money will be worth at least 30% to 50% less), but the cost of living will rise dramatically. The result will be that the majority of us will not afford our mortgages, we will struggle just to feed our families. The reality is that your debt will however stay constant, thus although your buying ability has decreased by 50%, your debt repayment requirement / obligations will not change. Millions will loose there houses. We will see the biggest ever housing slump the world has ever seen. The rich who has no debt will acquire our properties and other investment for a fraction of there worth and will just add to there riches. There is only one solution, get out of debt, if you are deeply in- debt, you are better off to sell now at a small lost, rather than to loose everything. The complexity of our current financial system will take me hours to explain, but I have been granted insight into these matters and my warning is real and need to be taken very serious by all Christians.
Scary thoughts here Gustav. But perhaps we can turn all of this around and decide as a society to fight against debt?
Gustav, I don’t know how long we have before this world’s economic system fails but I completely agree with you, it will fail. We as christians would be wise to heed this warning. Getting out of debt is part of our preparation. Having an intimate relationalship with our Lord Jesus is paramount or we will be swept up in the chaos that is to come.
Then we need more prophets in our midst. Most of all we need to get out of debt. Never get a penny again.
The GOD of Abraham provided the money to pay off the loan and then some for the woman to provide for her family. She was a widow and unable to take care of herself.
This was not done for a man able to work.
If you don’t work you don’t eat.
@CoolHappy
You are right! I stand corrected… I have read that passage enough that I should have remembered it, but didn’t 😉 I was making that statement based off of something Larry Burkett said – I will quote him from now on! 😉
Thanks for pointing that out and while I think we are in agreement about Debt, it is good to keep this in mind…
So true. This was 2013. We are in 2020 Pandemic now. Our South African currency droped by 40% against a mediocre Philippine Peso….scary.
Im a refugee here in Philippines. My faith in God and revelation and insight I recieved alows me to realise that according to God’s Word this very “pandemic/covid19 is micky mouse to what’s predicted/prophecied! We face plagues and disasters that will wipe out 33% of human population. That’s more than 2 billion people in a short period of time folks!…….so WW1/2 and all known disasters in history is minute!
@bob
Thanks for your comments! The blog owner has comments turned off. I was just asked to do a guest post on there this week. Anyway, I also agree with that you said. God does work in mysterious ways. It never ceases to AMAZE me how God comes through for us and I’m pretty sure it’s because of tithing. It really does come back to you many times over and besides that it’s fun to do.
My husband and I are still trying to work our way out of debt right now so we’re in no position to try to use other people’s money to make more money. I still don’t know that I’d rule it out in the future though. God tends to do things that surprise me usually and he’s not without a sense of humor. I think for now I’ll just ponder it in my heart and see if He answers in His own time. I will do some hard praying before getting into debt again though, after working so hard to get out in the first place.
Amen. Hope to hear more.
Let it be to us according our faith. ALL was given a measure certain measure of faith. ROMANS 12.
May God open our understanding.
I believe God owns EVERYTHING anyway….the plants, soil and cattle upon a thousand hills. Nothing of this corrupt world system is compatible with the coming Kingdom. Regarding debt!?……All transactions, ownerships, property and finances belongs to Satans current system. God is righteous and wont alow the presure and challenges of this evil system to jeopordise our eternal inheritance! We are in but not of this world. The bible’s refference to last days difficulties is about keeping our faith….enduring to the end. In my opinion no one can loose his/her salvation because of debt.
This is a great post. Thank you for pointing out what the Word of God says. Many people just don’t know what God’s Word says because they don’t engage in it themselves.
Principles like freedom and debt are plainly displayed in his Word for all to see.
Thanks for putting all these scriptures together.
After thinking it over, I realized that I might have left the wrong impression in my previous post. I did not intend to imply that entering into debt is necessarily sanctioned by the Lord.
Yes, there was an instance in which the Lord used debt as an instrument in His miraculous deliverance. However, we should reflect:
-This was an EXTREME case: Essentially, the widow was going to lose her sons.
-The widow sought the Lord in her circumstances. She pleaded with prophet, the mouthpiece of the Lord.
-The debt of her spendthrift late husband got her into this mess presumably with no provision to escape (a Biblical endorsement of life insurance?)
-The Lord provided the means to pay off the debt. At any point, she could return the jars. More important, the benefit from the borrowed items (jars) was a source of ongoing income.
-The debt was for a long-term benefit. No spontaneous purchase here.
-This is one of the few (only?) POSITIVE references to borrowing.
-The bulk of scripture exhorts a very sober and deliberate use of debt.
Yes, the Lord used debt as a means for this woman’s deliverance. However, I would submit that He preferred that her late husband would have exercised wisdom in his lifetime so that she would not find herself in this mess in the first place! (see Proverbs 30:25, 1 Timothy 5:8, et al.)
@CoolHappy
Ummmm…. no. I’m not buyin’ that.
II Kings 4:7
“Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
She was told to collect empty VESSELS. JARS. Not money. She was then told to fill the jars with oil that she had and sell it. She did not solve her problem via a loan. Ever borrowed a cup of sugar from a neighbor?
Great post!
The bible is a pretty neat “playbook” for life. So many people ignore their debts and in the end hurts all humanity.
According to Strong’s the word borrow here in this verse is “to ask”
not “go into debt”
Thanks for the article on debt. This is a great site that I just happened upon recently.
As for me, I managed to get completley out of debt 2 years ago when I paid off the house (at 49 yrs of age). And that in less than half the loan period of 25 years.
I was challenged many years ago by a Christian brother that the Lord wanted us debt free and so I worked at it. Every pay rise, tax cut or other money fall would go into the loan.
I had no other debts, drove old cars, fixed them myself and also anything that had to be done on the house I did myself where possible.
Never took out any other loans and had only a debit card. I encouraged my children to finance their own tertiary education, which they have done very successfully (my son finished a full time science degree debt free by working at Hungry Jacks part time using the same principles we have taught him).
I have a family with 5 children and my wife has never worked since we were married. We have always gone on holidays, we bought an old boat and restored it along with other hobby things, and I have never worked overtime, wanting to be home for my family as much as possible.
What you say about giving is so right. I started tithing on my net income 25 years ago, then 2 years later was challenged to tithe on my gross income, then was challenged to give extra offerings. Even before the house was paid off I was giving a fair bit more than the gross tithe and God just seemed to keep providing. My mother always wondered where the money was coming from.
I have just an average paid job so its not like I have a massive income.
What you have challenged me in though is to give more now that I am debt free.
As you said God wants us out of debt for Him, not for us, even though we reap the benefits as well.
So I will be prayerfully considering what extra to be giving and where.
Great topic..very blessed to read the insights, comments and revelation of how we can live a life of debt free for his glory, John 10, He came to seek and to save us to experience the abundance of kingdom living…Despite of living in debt, we must seek first his (Gods )kingdom and its right ways of doing things, then strategies, ideas and know how’s of God will aid us to free us from debt… Amen
This is a great post Bob. God’s word should be the first place we turn for any advice, financial or otherwise
Dear Readers
This is such an amazing site! I found it a couple of months ago and have been blessed and encouraged by the comments and posts. I am on my way to debt freedom one day at a time. I am a tither and a big giver. I do understand and believe the principal of “give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together and running over”. I am a somewhat single parent of 4 children, I work full time and don’t make very much at all. I had gotten into a really bad financial mess when my husband and I separated. We lost our house and had other bills that have gone waaaay behind as well. Now I am facing legal issues regarding these past due bills. I am not saying that I don’t need to own up for my past inabilities to pay my debts but I am just asking you all to stand in faith with me that God’s will be done regarding the outcome.
My hats off to Anthony who talked about paying off his debts at the age of 49!!! That is Phenomenal! I will try and match that somehow with what I already owe :). I also love the scripture “Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.” Ecclesiastes 11:1
I will end with this: God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. I will no longer be a slave to the creditor but instead be the one who lends the biblical way. If the world took every thing the word says about borrowing and lending, we would be in a better position. Sorry it was so long! Be blessed
It sounds to me that most of us agree that personal debt should be minimalized so as to free us up to do more for God in areas where financial concerns would normally hinder us. Examples are charitable giving and philanthropy. However, I hear little discussion on capitalistic expansion through secured debt. Woo, that sounds scary but I’ve been self-employed for over 20 years and have built several businesses that ultimately helped countless people. I could not have done it without credit much the same as the ancient farmers who had to somehow get the seed for that very first crop. It’s the chicken and the egg. Where did the farmer get the money to buy the first seed? Chances are someone gave him credit. I believe that the proper use of credit in a society based upon freedom and Christ was part of God’s plan to propel mankind from the dark ages into our current age of enlightenment and progress. Of course, Satan is attacking every aspect of that plan and Christians must now be stronger than ever.
Having been on both sides of the issue, deeply in debt and debt free I can honestly say it is my opinion that God wants us to live our lives debt free. In debt, even making good money, we never had anything, were always stressed, arguing despite an otherwise great marriage, wanted to give more but didn’t have more to give, had to live with the worry of getting laid off. Now, after much hard work and sacrifice we are debt free & loving it. No stress, no arguing, we get to give more than ever before, and if I get laid off, big deal I don’t owe a man on this Earth. You don’t HAVE to have credit for anything. We haven’t borrowed a dime in 10 years and our credit scores are zero. Debt free for the win baby!
I am glad to have recieved wonderful advise, assurance and a hope that i will be debt freee soon. I would request you guys to pray for me that i make wise decisions and handle God given money correctly…thanks again.
Thank you for sharing your light on this topic concerning debt. I have read some of the comments as well and love that other entered. Some I somewhat disagree with, but they are their thoughts on the matter. I was taught from a child, “as long as there was something to eat on the table, that was all you needed”. We were not allowed to touch the Bible much less read it. Thank God for salvation! I know it is NOT GOD WILL we be in debt, except in loving one another, and keep His Word. Romans 13:8 “Owe no man anything”, is always in my mind. If we learn to “Prepare to Buy, before we Buy”. I firmly believe the idea of “I must have it now” is a spirit or demon from Satan himself. It has enslaved so many Christians, to the point, they are unable to keep vows, help one another, or do the things that would security their freedom in Christ. Debt has a power that draws the mind away from “connected prayer”; it disable your contact with God; you become unable focus in prayer, praise,or worship. Debt is not a gift from God! I am progressing toward becoming debt-free; each month that past, it is like a burden has been lifted from my family and I. I am fully convinced that this is the Will of God for His People.
Blessings
@COOL HAPPY, I think someone else pointed out. The women did not have to pay for the vessels or at least we can not say if she did. She did not Owe.
Bob & Amy,
To me the biblical debt about good debt vs. bad debt is trust in God. You must trust in God to provide. If try to use debt to increase God’s provision it is not acceptable debt. You are trusting another Master to provide for your. If you use debt to to replace a provision or to increase your earnings it does become your master. If the debt leaves you with less money the next month. I will give what I feel is acceptable debt.
Financing a house where the interest payment is = rent. I have never felt a slave for my mortgage as it just replaces rent.
Financing a car so you can get to work. If you loose your income you will be in trouble.
Buying a car where you save the payment in gas.
Bad debt
Mortgage interest > rent. New Corvette.
If your level of contentment does not change the debt is acceptable. If you are using debt out of ill content for God’s provision it is probalbe wrong.
It is true that God will provide but not through a loan. We are the ones to make debts and find it difficult to pay back. But when we realize our situation, causes and pitfalls and pray to God He surely hears and delivers us from this burden. God knows how to pay our bills and He allows some situations in our lives to teach us many things out of it. may be one can be in dear need of money for a good cause and have no way except to take a loan. he will not despise us for that. In fact He loves us so much that when we cry to Him He responds and make a way for us.Its bcoz God sees through our hearts and intention in there.
I’ve noticed that many people have spoken about God not providing through a loan. Well, what would you say about my situation?
I’m a consultant, and though I billed on time and did all the paperwork to get my payment on time, I found out that the agency “lost” the paperwork and essentially my contractor had to resubmit my claim for processing. My husband is also a consultant and hasn’t been able to make any claims for some of the jobs he has based on the stage that they’re at.
So, how do you go to the supermarket and pay your bills when you don’t have any money? My in-laws, who are believers (God bless them) gives us loans. Not one or two, but several. Considering that the scripture talks about the fact that God wants us to lend, wouldn’t it imply that there would be persons to lend to? Consequently, couldn’t it be argued that God provides through loans?
I’ll let someone else speak to the first question. But I do know that Proverbs 21:20 speaks to having savings for just such an occasion.
On the business side, my man Dave Ramsey says that when you have a collections problem you actually have a billing problem. Look him up on it.
Be careful not to try to justify your mistakes rather than learning from them.
Scott, I’ve been reading Dave and have been learning what he says about how to get your finances in order. The fact that we haven’t been prudent financially isn’t in question. We haven’t been and we’re in the process of changing.
I don’t agree that I’m “justifying my mistakes”. Though Dave talks about a billing problem, it can’t be just that. As I explained, I did everything on time and in the right order but later found out that the bureaucracy of the institution and the fact that they claimed that they didn’t get the paperwork, which isn’t true, is what is causing the delay.
Let’s not jump the gun to think that we are in control of EVERYTHING that happens with our money. Though we are in control of what we do with our income, there are factors that affect the actually “coming in” of the income that we’re working for. This is especially true if you are self-employed.
I stand by what I said. Just the words of a debt free, self-employed guy. You make it sound as if there is no way to eat other than loans from your in-laws. That’s something that no one here can debate because we don’t know your lifestyle, whether or not you have ridiculous car payments, etc…
I was only pointing out that it is human nature to immediately jump into the blame game/excuse game, rather than looking deeper. I’m guilty of this myself, being human and all.
I do know that as a business man if I was in a tight spot and someone lost paperwork that was essential to me being paid I would go sit in person with the owner of the business and explain to him that this was putting me in a bind and making his business look bad.
This could also be a learning experience of who not to do business with. We had to make the decision not to do business with certain partners unless they paid up front.
Scott, I guess we have to agree to disagree. You’re right, you don’t know the entire situation. I don’t even live and work in the United States (which is where I assume you live and work) and, unlike the assumption you’ve made, I’m not dealing with a small business man who I can sit and talk to. I’m dealing with an institution.
Again, I don’t disagree that there isn’t a personal factor in terms of how I deal with my finances and I admitted that in my previous post. But I guess in my reality, there are other factors that put limits on what I can control. Maybe in your situation you’re totally in control (even of the business man who you’d talk to) and I guess that’s the crux of the matter.
Bob, I’m soooo impressed by your comments & Christian PF in general. I stumbled onto you researching for a money management class with a focus on DEBT. Your words are so right on and I plan to devour your other articles. Thank you so much for “being here”.
May I have your permission to use some of your thoughts; i.e.; “God can NOT keep us out of debt.
“I believe God would love to see His children living debt-free lives. But, as stewards of the money that He has entrusted to us we have a free will to do what we wish with it. We can choose to give it, save it, spend it, or even spend more than we have.
“I also believe that God will work on our behalf to help get us out of debt, but we have a big part to play – to stop spending more than we have! It doesn’t matter how much God provides – as long as we are spending more money than we have, we will always be in debt.”
Thank you again for my “start” in developing a class for my church in Bellingham, WA.
Many Blessings,
Steve
Steve,
Enjoyed reading your post & agree! I recently was able to get out of debt & improve my financial situation with God’s help!
Would love to hear from you.
David
In addition and support of this article, Matthew 6:24 says “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (NIV). We strive to have God as our master but if we are indebted to a creditor, we have another master as well.
Not sure that God never wants us to “not work again”. The idea of not working again being a good thing, sounds like a human thing to me. God has lots to say in the bible about working and not that it is a bad thing.
Indeed. Something to say about quitting too.
Luke 12:16-20
I don’t think this refers to quitting a specific job, as much as it does, just being lazy.
Thanks for the comments on debt. We seem to be sinking in it deeper and deeper. I love God and I know God loves me. When things are not going as I think they should, I know it is due to : 1. I’m not living how He wants me to. 2. I’m not being patient enough; His will is being realized, I just don’t see the end result yet. We are not in debt because of impulsive buying or purchasing luxury items. Currently, I am trying to figure out a way to get my children needed glasses, teeth cleaned, cavities fixed, gas to get back to college, etc. I just keep trusting God, try to do the right thing according to Him, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. I applied for jobs and don’t get them. I know how to write a resume and fill out a job application. I have a Bachelor’s degree and some graduate level classes. I’m doing everything I know, and realize I can’t lean on my own understanding. I know I am not the only person in this situation. I know folks who can’t even read blogs because they can’t afford a computer. I know I’m blessed, I just don’t understand why our basic needs don’t seem to be met without my husband and I going into debt. P.S. The limit on our children’s Christmas gifts are $125. Their friends are probably baffled-why would their parents be so “cheap”? Is the answer not to get them Christmas gifts? Seems a little harsh for children, but I wonder.
You aren’t in the wrong. Christmas isn’t about the presents anyway. I felt like we were in the exact same position until one day when I finally had enough I prayed that God would give me understanding or show me what I needed to do or was doing wrong. The next day out of the blue a coworker asked if I had heard of Dave Ramsey, the rest is history. So that’s the form my help took, I don’t know what form yours will take, but I’m confident it’ll come.
Be still and know that HE is GOD…
These posts have helped me tremendously. One thing I know about God is he will direct our path if we seek him and obey. The problem is we pray and ask Him to help us out of our situations and then don’t follow the instructions He has given. Desperate times DO NOT call for desperate measures, they call for the leading of the Holy Ghost.The states in 2 Corinthians 12:9, that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Debt is a weakness, desperation is a weakness. God will provide a way of escape if we will seek Him and Do. We can not succumb to worlds plan to get out of debt because of course it is a trap to keep us in debt. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). The Widows mite is real, but its less about giving your last dollars to the church, but more about REALLY trusting the Lord to provide for all your needs and desires, even during Christmas, birthdays, etc, when it doesn’t look like you have enough. I have been laid off twice this past year from very high salary jobs, with a mortgage, student loans, and a lot of bills to pay. Only God could have sustained me. My Debt is large, but the same way he is providing for me now, I will be out of debt soon.
Keep the Faith…Amen.
If the borrower is slave to the lender, then why does God want us to lend to others? Doesn’t make sense or maybe it’s just me.
Remember the Holy Word is for the leading of those who chose to follow Christ. He will make us ,His heirs and join.-heirs with Christ, the lender and not the borrower to others not in Christ if we believe and.obey
Romans 6:12
…and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
I am using kjv Bible in the verse above it says about forgiveness,is it possible debt is a sin yet it’s asking for forgiveness?
I’d like to add a verse that accompanies your closing sentence “Storing up treasures in heaven is the way to live!” beautifully Bob…
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:38
Of course it’s beautiful to be read in context as it explains many essential lessons when easily applied to other areas of life.
Hi Bob, so glad I stumbled across your site. I am enjoying the posts. I do feel I need to make one point,however. In referring to Deu. Verses, I understand those as being specific promises to the nation of Israel. We must be careful not to take promises made to a specific people or person and apply them unilaterally.God can certainty also Bless us in that way but we need to recognize and be aware of the three kinds of promises found in the Bible: 1) conditional promises: those which require action on our part to be fulfilled,as the example you gave in this post 2) unconditional promises: those that apply to all believers and which require no action on the believers part to be fulfilled,example: God’s promise to never again destroy the earth by water and 3) promises made to specific person or persons that cannot be claimed by all believers, example: promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the sands.Thank you for listening.I believe that if we do not understand this we may take some promises out of the context in which they are given and this will make our faith journey confusing and may cause some to lose faith in our Lord and that would be our error because HE IS TRUSTWORTHY,KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS !
It is good to always live below your means than living above your means. Each time you want to live above your means you are getting into debts and therefore making yourself a slave to somebody.
In Exodus 12:35 the Israelites were instructed to borrow from the Egyptians before they left Egypt. God miraculously canceled this debt when the Egyptians drowned in the Red Sea. This is another example of God providing through a loan. However, I still agree that the borrower is a slave to the lender and God’s people need to get out of debt a quickly as we can. Read Gustav’s comment.
My husband and I are on a mission to become debt free. I am grateful for this article. Our freedom is tied into pray and obedience.
Credit card companies and banks do good when lending with low to no monthly interest. That’s what God intended for humans to do as well. A good advice from Valentin De Los Angeles. May God bless everyone who came to this site looking for advice about debt. Amen
Hello Bob, thanks for bringing up this topic again. It is a means of the enemy cheating us out of the abundance that the Lord have for us His Children. I will like to comment particularly on the aspect that the Bible was silent “That it is a sin to be in debt”. To be in debt is not right, it does not portray who our God is especially when one borrows and failed to pay back. James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin”. The bible might not have said debt but the main concept is that doing good is not to borrow and if you borrow pay back and not allowing it to bring shame to the name of our God.
Hi. What does the bible say about what to do when someone owes you and hasn’t paid it as peomised.
1 Timothy 6:5-11 seems to indicate trying to make money is wrong, especially verse 8. Why did Paul say these things when other scriptures indicate otherwise ? For example, Genesis 12:3, 1 Chronicles 4:10, Proverbs 11:24-25, Deuteronomy 8:18, Jeremiah 29:11, Genesis 13.
Hi Bob, I came across your blog in a timely manner of the situation I am in. There is an unavoidable debt I had before and I had a hard time paying it off. With all the expenses and bills to pay, I was already having a hard time. I do believe that God make his own way to get us out of debt, but the biggest part there is our participation and hard work. Don’t spend much, work hard, make paying off debt a priority. Thanks for sharing!
I am glad to know that I am not going to hell for my debt but I feel bad for the doctors whom I owe money to. We are in debt with doctors and they demand payment and while praying God revealed to me that I need to pay them back for the money I owe them. They saved my wife’s life and I am in debt to them forever for that. God also gave me a scripture which this site confirmed to me and that is Romans 13:7. I know that God demands me to pay back the money and it is my goal to do that no matter what I have to do to do it for it is a righteous man who pays his bills and the wicked don’t pay them.
I have this issue that actually led me to this blog because I am searching for answers.
My husband seems to borrow all the time to “sow ” into the lives of his pastor friends or to repay other debts.This giving to men of God on its own is not a bad thing but what I find disturbing is that he thinks God is keeping him alive because of this….this habitual borrowing has caused alot of strain in our marriage.we always argue and seem to be at logger heads as we always have debts to pay.I am the planner and more careful spender…thus he takes to be stinginess and lack of faith.for him on the other hand he spends more than he earns and seems to always pile on more trying to pay old ones. What can I Do? How do I convince him about his habits and to twll him been in debt is not Gods plan for our lives? Because as long as we are married I will be burdened by his own debts which will leave me angry and frustrated most of the time teying to iron it out.i never want to leave my husband because of financial issues(which is a serious matter btw)..I still believe as a born again Christian there is a better way to handle this and get the desired result…..and Yes I have been praying…I am convinced God does not like the debt and its effects
I have over 25,000 in CC debt and have no choice but to use a debt relief program. I want to pay back what I owe but lost my job due to health reasons and I feel really bad about this. Is it biblically wrong to use a debt relief program? I know my credit is going to get a lot worse than it is now but I would rather pay back a portion of my settled debt than to file bankruptcy…. Please advise
Hi Bob,
I have been trying to find an answer to my question, but coming up empty.
Is it a sin to go into debt to help poor people?
Thanks and God Bless You, in Jesus name. Amen