Read: Deuteronomy 15:1–8

You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. Deuteronomy 15:6

Paralyzing personal and national debt is an epidemic in our country. As Americans we have a combined consumer debt in the trillions of dollars. This is dwarfed, of course, by our national debt, which is dozens of times greater. Forty percent of U.S. families spend more than they earn. An average of 1.5 million U.S. households file for bankruptcy each year. The average personal credit card debt is equal the cost of a year of college.

When we are financially bound, we can’t be spiritually free. The Bible is clear—you don’t want to be in debt. The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, “Owe no one anything, except to love one another.” In Proverbs it says, “The borrower is the slave of the lender.” And that is, in part, what this passage in Deuteronomy says. Moses gave the Israelites some banking advice: “You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.”  Lenders rule, borrowers pay. When you go into debt, you lose your power. You become a slave. Your creditors rule your life. God did not create you to be ruled by Visa, American Express, or Mastercard —there is nothing priceless about those relationships! You were not created to be a slave; you were created to be free. You we not created to be a debtor, you were created to be a disciple.

Are you a debtor?

Lord, my desire to purchase things is insatiable. I see something I want, and I go out and get it. I often buy things I don’t really want and don’t really need, because there is an emptiness inside me and I don’t know how else to fill it. Help me, Lord. I am financially bound, help me to be spiritually free. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.