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“Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.” — Proverbs 22:7 (NLT)

Debt can often feel like a quick solution to a pressing problem—whether it’s a financial emergency, a desire to keep up with appearances, or simply trying to make ends meet. But God’s Word gives us a clear warning: when we step into debt, we enter into a form of bondage.

Proverbs 22:7 reminds us that debt places us under the authority of another. It shifts the balance of freedom in our lives. The borrower becomes servant to the lender. In other words, our choices, our peace, and even our future can become entangled in obligations we weren’t meant to carry.

God desires His children to live in freedom—spiritually, emotionally, and even financially. While debt isn’t always sinful, it can become a heavy burden that limits generosity, fuels anxiety, and distracts us from God’s purposes. It can cause tension in relationships, foster shame, and lead us into cycles of worry and regret.

Romans 13:8 (NLT) says, “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another.” This verse doesn’t just speak to love; it reflects God’s heart for His people to walk in freedom. Love should be our only ongoing debt, not the weight of credit cards, loans, or financial obligations that steal our peace.

The enemy often uses debt as a trap. He lures us in with promises of ease or instant gratification, but the result is often stress and spiritual distraction. Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us today the food we need” (Matthew 6:11, NLT). That prayer reflects a heart that trusts God for provision, not plastic cards or payday loans.

Debt can cripple our peace of mind and force us to retreat from the generosity that God desires us to be known for. Let us determine to not allow our culture to mold us into its image with objects and continue to build our legacy of giving and serving.

Journeying Together,

John

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