Debts: 15 Proven Ways To Effectively Overcome Them

What Does The Bible Say About Debt?

“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7). Debt is equal to slavery. Until you are debt-free, you will be enslaved to your past mistakes. God wants you to enjoy his goodness, but the consequences of your actions will not allow you until the debts are paid in full.

Debts end up denying God the opportunity to provide what we “really” need. We fail to realize that sometimes God’s way of providing what we need the most is to deny us what we want the most. But what we do is, force our way out of God’s plan and get into debt. We get into debt through wasteful expenditure, unexplainable losses, and even incurable diseases.

Ways To Break Out Of The Cycle Of Debts

Here are some biblical principles to follow to come out of the cycle of debt:

1. Be born again and part of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 3:16).

2. Maintain a lifestyle of giving.

Never stop giving back to God and sowing in the lives of others. Remember, every time you give, it’s like you have sown a seed, and very soon it will bring forth fruit. It doesn’t matter how tight your situation is; always give. Remember the poor widow who gave her last two copper coins (Luke 21:1-4). You can also give your time, give compassion, give love, give food, and give clothes. Never stop giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).

3. Make a list of all your debts.

By making a list, you acknowledge these debts and are willing to tackle them no matter what. Start paying them from the least to the highest.

4. Ensure you destroy every credit card you pay.

Once you finish paying any of your credit cards, just ensure you destroy the physical card, but don’t close the credit card account; otherwise, it will affect your credit score.  Leave one card for emergencies only.

5. Learn to be content with what you have

Ensure that you only buy what is necessary and don’t go beyond your capacity, leading you to accrue debts as a result ( 1 Tim. 6:6–8).

6. Seek wise, godly counsel.

Any time in debt, seek godly counsel from a pastor, financial counselor, or someone trained in biblical counseling (Proverbs 20:18 and 2 Chronicles 20:20).

9. Negotiate with your creditor about a favourable payment plan.

Always talk to your creditors to explain your situation and work out a payment plan with them. Ask them for reasonable payment reductions or lower rates (Matthew 5:25).

10. Be willing to become debt-free.

Paying off debt is something God blesses. The Bible says in Psalm 37:21, “The wicked borrow and do not repay”. God does not bless the wicked. You’ve got to be intentional and start with a commitment. It isn’t easy and takes discipline and perseverance, but it’s also the right thing to do.

11. Make a budget.

Track where your money is going by creating a monthly spending record. How can you start to reduce your expenses so that you spend less than you earn every month? What are some expenses that you can eliminate?

12. Quit comparing yourself with others.

A big reason people spend more than they should and go into debt in the first place is because they’re caught up in comparison.

13. Put extra money toward paying off your debts

The more money you can put toward your highest-interest debt each month, the quicker you’ll get out of debt.

14. Look for some additional income.

With this, you can pay off your debts faster after all Proverbs 14:23 says, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

15. Avoid adding more new debts.

Learn the difference between intelligent borrowing and stupid debt. Ensure that you don’t make new unnecessary debts that might land you back to where you were before. Don’t live beyond your means.

16. Prophecy life over your finances.

There is great power in the words you speak—power to create and destroy. Remember, Jesus cursed the fig tree, and it dried (Mark 11:23). So what words are you speaking to your finances? Are you always confessing that you will never pay off your debts because you are broke?

Remember that the world doesn’t have an effective way to get out of and stay out of debt, no matter what a credit counselor may tell you. God, however, does!

“And if a man borrows anything from his neighbor and it becomes injured or dies, the owner of it not being with it, he shall surely make it good(Exodus 22:14).

Pastor Nathaniel

Relevant Posts:

Spirit Of Debt: How To Overcome It Now – 2023 (mtmchurch.org)

Debts Are Like A Curse For Genuine Christian People – 2023 (mtmchurch.org)

Debts Are Forbidden For Genuine Christian People (mtmchurch.org)