The world has warped ideas about money. Most people take a hit-or-miss approach to managing their financial resources, and learn from their painful, expensive mistakes. There’s a widespread lack of understanding about wealth; therefore, debt is accepted as a normal part of life. However, a deep study of God’s Word reveals this isn’t His will.

Being a Christian puts us in the spotlight for the whole world to see. As believers, we’re the light of the world, and a city on a hill can’t be hidden. (Matthew 5:14). One of the ways we can really stand out and shine is in managing money. If we’re struggling in this area, following God’s principles gets us out of debt His way.

The idea of borrowing money is perfectly acceptable in our current environment. There’s nothing wrong with this if we can pay it back promptly, but most people get trapped in the cycle of constantly borrowing but never being able to pay it all back. This runs contrary to God’s Word. “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).

Poverty isn’t scriptural. However, we see too many people who unwittingly lock themselves into being poor by an “I’ve got to have it now” mindset and a lack of financial knowledge. There’s a difference between investments and debts. What we do for the sake of tomorrow is an investment; what we do for the sake of today is a debt. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5, NKJV).

Humans seem to be experts at falling into financial pitfalls; thankfully, God is an expert in getting us out. He has delivered many others financially; He can and will do the same for us. When we’re swimming in debt and it seems like there’s no way out of the mess we’re in, God shows up and makes a way when there is no way. “Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters...Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:16, 19).

In the Old Testament, a man lost a borrowed ax head when it sunk in the water. God supernaturally intervened on his behalf by causing it to float back to the top (2 Kings 6:1-6). He also increased the supply of oil for a widow so she could sell it and pay off her debts (2 Kings 4:1-7). During His earthly ministry, Peter found the money to pay his taxes after following Jesus’ directives on where to look (Matthew 17:24-27). There’s no limit to the ways God can deliver us when we listen to the strategies He reveals to bless us financially.  

God wants financial freedom for us. Strategies to move us in the right direction include paying off all our credit cards first, avoiding creating new debt, and steering clear of impulse buying. One of the biggest strategies is financial giving; this is a path to prosperity that the world has never understood. “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!” (Proverbs 19:17, NLT).

God envisions the best for us on all levels, including in our finances. He reminds us that we shouldn’t owe anything to anyone expect to love them (Romans 13:8) Following His prompting in this area brings success.