Be Wary of Debt

Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”

I’ll be honest, this is one of those principles I wish I had fully grasped in my twenties.

Debt is so normalized in our culture that we barely question it. Swipe now, pay later. Finance it. Stretch it. Reward points. Zero interest for 12 months. You’ve heard the pitch.
And while not all debt is evil, let’s be clear – debt always comes with a cost.

The Bible doesn’t say debt is a sin, but it does say that the borrower becomes a slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7). That’s strong language. And it’s not just poetic, it’s painfully practical.
When your paycheck is already spoken for before it hits your bank account, you’re not free.
When you want to follow God into something bold – but debt holds you back – you’re not free.
When you’re anxious all the time because of what you owe, that’s not abundance. That’s bondage.

And here’s the part we don’t like to admit:
Debt often replaces discipline.
It lets us have what we haven’t earned, build what God hasn’t told us to build, or project an image that doesn’t match reality.

I’ve seen it in my own life, times when I got ahead of God, chasing what looked like opportunity but ended up feeling like a trap. And I’ve seen others with big dreams and God-given gifts… stuck. Not because they didn’t have the potential, but because debt had already sold off their margin.

So what’s the better way?

Ask first. Build slow. Live free.
Before you sign for anything, take it to God.
Luke 14:28 reminds us to count the cost before building the tower. It’s not just about money- it’s about wisdom, timing, and trust.

Ask:

• “Do I really need this?”
• “Is this adding value or adding pressure?”
• “Is this God’s plan or my impatience?”

And if you’re already buried in debt, there’s hope. You don’t get free overnight, but you can get free. Start small. Make a plan. Cut back. Stay humble. Stay consistent. Freedom comes step by step.

Because ultimately, this is about more than just financial strategy, it’s about spiritual posture.
You can’t live fully surrendered to God while being enslaved to money.

Debt doesn’t just affect your wallet, it affects your future, your peace, your family, your purpose.
So be wise. Be watchful. Be free.

You weren’t made for enslavement – you were made for stewardship.
Every dollar, every opportunity, every possession belongs to God. You’re not building your own kingdom, you’re managing His.

And God is still in the business of helping His people walk out of bondage—one obedient, faithful step at a time.