Debt Free Living

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. (2 Kings 4:1)

God wants you to be debt free! This principle is a foundation of financial freedom and is illustrated in the story found in 2 Kings 4. The passage tells of a woman who found herself in a very difficult circumstance. Her husband, a faithful servant of the Lord, had passed away, leaving her with a significant debt that she could not pay. The creditor was at her doorstep, demanding that her two sons become slaves to him to settle the debt.

Debt creates slaves to whatever institution holds the deed. When we free ourselves from the burden of debt, our finances transform. We suddenly have more resources at our disposal, as the money once spent on interest payments now remains in our hands. But how do we transition from a life ensnared by debt to one of financial freedom?

1. Humility - Embrace the idea that God's way, as laid out in His Word, is the path to financial freedom, not what you feel or think. Make a firm decision to follow His guidance.

2. Tithes and Offerings- Faithfully honor your commitment to tithes and offerings, a foundational step in aligning your finances with God's plan.

3. Pay Yourself First- Develop the habit of paying yourself before allocating funds to other expenses. That means putting aside an amount into savings each time you are paid, just like a bill.

4. Debt Elimination- Start by tackling smaller debts aggressively. As each debt is paid off, redirect those funds towards the next one, building momentum towards financial freedom.

5. Seek Wisdom- Listen to the Holy Spirit, Who will provide guidance on financial decisions. Be open to sowing seeds and blessing others, as this can lead to unexpected financial blessings.

Practical Application

Financial freedom is attainable through obedience to God's principles.

Nehemiah 5:4; Deuteronomy 23:20

Breaking the Chains of Debt

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)

The Greek word opheilo is used for owe in Romans 13:8 and it carries a powerful message. It is literally defined this way: do not be bound, obligated, or in debt to anyone or anything.

Paul was making an emphatic statement that there should be no debt in our lives except for the debt of love we owe to God. Of course, that debt of love is one we can never truly repay, but we give back to God for eternity.

Why did Paul find it so imperative to explain this to the churches in Rome? First, living debt-free allows us to escape the slavery that debt creates in our lives. Proverbs says that the borrower is servant to the lender. Debt can enslave us, limiting our choices, and subjecting us to the demands of our creditors. If we are to be truly free to follow God fully, we must break free from these chains.

Living debt-free is not just a financial decision; it's a faith-driven choice. It is a commitment to trust in God's provision, to honor our obligations, and to avoid the entanglement of debt. It's about trusting God's faithfulness to provide and ensuring that we prioritize our debt of love to Him above all else. By breaking free from financial bondage, we can fully experience the abundant life Jesus died and rose to give us.

Practical Application

Are you are currently struggling with financial debt? Research and know your budget and find how you can eliminate the debt that is trying to enslave you so that you cannot fully follow God.

Proverbs 22:7; Isaiah 24:2

Honoring God by Paying What You Owe

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:6-7)

Romans 13:6-7 reminds us of the importance of honoring our obligations as believers, both to our governing authorities and to one another. Paul encouraged us to pay our taxes, our debts and to give respect to our leaders.

We should do these things, not simply as a legal or civic duty, but also as a spiritual one. God says that leaders and authority over you have things that are due to them from others. It may be taxes, customs, reverence, or honor. But as followers of Christ, we are called to recognize a divine purpose in our agreement to give what is due.

In our daily lives, this principle means being faithful to our commitments to fulfilling all the tasks that we are responsible for. It is a reminder that integrity and respect should characterize our financial dealings and other interactions with the world. By living by the principles God outlines in His Word toward what is due, we not only are right with the law but also live out our faith in tangible ways that others can see. We demonstrate our commitment to honesty, respect, and financial integrity, reflecting the character of Christ to the world.

Living amid a world that often is flaky with financial ethics, these verses remind us that our financial decisions reflect our spiritual values. They challenge us to honor God in our financial affairs, not only through our giving to leaders in honor, and giving to the church, but also through making sure that we give back what we owe.

Practical Application

Get out of debt as soon as you can, but also ensure that you do not neglect to give what you owe to Godly leaders and those in authority. When you honor your financial obligations, you not only do what is legal, you also display your faith in Jesus Christ through how you handle the real-life issue of finances.

Matthew 17:25; Matthew 22:21