Bible verses about debt are of great interest to people in addiction recovery.
One of the huge issues for them is paying past debts incurred from their time of addiction. Part of what is owed may be taking care of court costs or paying for child custody costs. Perhaps there may be health care issues and no insurance.
Money is a particularly large worry for them. As it is for many of us.
And since life is starting over for them, there is the need to find work, work that will truly sustain and not just be endlessly entry level.
Does God care about our bills?
How can God speak to us and help us with financial need, whether a recovering addict or not? He cares about all His creation and wants us to be able to provide for ourselves, our families, and to share with others. This beautiful verse testifies to it:
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 2 NKJV)
What can the practice of faith do for us when times are hard and our finances are deeply stressed? How does God speak to us about it through Bible verses about debt and about His provision?
Seven Steps for Getting Out of Debt
1. The first thing of most importance is to have the right view of God.
Is He a loving Father? A strong Defender? A good Provider? Will He help you?
You have to get this matter settled in your heart through scripture and letting it do its work on your mind and attitude. Here are two verses out of so many the Bible contains that show us the heart of our Father and His desire to help you live more securely:
“The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you,
In his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)
And the second verse…
“He tends his flock like a shepherd;
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
gently He leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11 NIV)
The heart of God is for us! – to transform us, draw us near, help us for eternity (salvation) and help us in this life (also a form of salvation). He is good!
2. Find this right view through scripture and because of that, through Jesus Christ.
We’ll understand God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, by first receiving the forgiveness and the restoration of our lives through Jesus Christ. He came to earth to make the Father known. Through His astonishing teaching and His kindness to all and His healing miracles, the heart of God was revealed.
But the plan of God to restore all humanity from its estrangement with Him back into relationship with Him then came to pass. The sin that separated us was taken by Jesus on Himself. He died on the cross in our place so that we might be forgiven of our sin, the sin that stood between us and God. That sin, if unforgiven, results in eternal separation from God.
Jesus then rose from the dead proving He had accomplished this redemption and that His identity is God the Son. People who believe and trust in Him are reunited with God, and receive the Spirit of God to help them walk with God. I have said more about the Holy Spirit baptism on this site here and here.
You may be wondering what this all has to do with money! I say the above because we won’t feel compelled to take the next step repeatedly without having the relationship with God established and that is to:
3. Pray.
Talk to God about what is going on with you – what your debts are, how much money is in your bank account, what your job prospects are. Bare your heart. Trust Him to be the loving Father that cares and who wants to make a way for you as you walk with Him. Jesus said this:
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside of your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-30 NIV)
4. Be honest with yourself about your debts. Make plans to pay them back. Do not hide from those to whom you owe money.
Talk with the people with whom you have an outstanding debt. Make payment plans whether that is with the court or whoever you owe. Even a very small amount paid each month is better than nothing. The advice so often given by the Dave Ramsey ministry is to start with the smallest debts and pay those off and then go to the next largest and so on. (You can find information here about Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps)
5. Make a budget and stick to it.
Be honest about where your money is going. If you cannot afford something, cut it out of your life. The writers of the Bible encourage us to learn to be content. The Apostle Paul said:
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Therefore, I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)
I know debt can be crushing and the fear from the debt, a monster. I have known people who have had to ride on buses for long periods of time or walk huge distances to get to very low paying work. And hunger – it is such a real problem of suffering for so many in this world. I do not write these things without the images of real people in mind.
But, if you have to go through something hard, is it not better to go through it with a good attitude? Sourness, resentment, bitterness, fear – they are as deadly as the huge debt – even worse. With God’s help, try to keep your heart right and your hope up.
6. Be grateful if you have a job and do it well.
I had a great grandfather that friends lovingly called “Judge Thomas,” (he was a farmer) who used to say, “Whatever your work, be the best at it. If it is only sweeping a floor, then be the best sweeper there is.” Do your job so well and thank God for the work. If you need to take on a second job, if you need to get more training or go back to school, find ways to do that. Talk to reliable people who can encourage and counsel you and help you on your journey of growth.
Joseph, one of the great men described in the Old Testament, suffered as a slave and an unfairly accused prisoner, but even in those places he thrived, because he did his work well, with the right attitude. In due season, God worked through people to promote him to second in command of all of Egypt.
The right attitude about our work, no matter how humble it is, leads to better things.
7. Remember the honor that is found in supporting your family.
1 Timothy 5:8 has these words: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
God wants us to be His people, His image bearing people who reflect His goodness, holiness, and compassion in the world. When we wonder what our work should be, our work is first and foremost to love and worship Him, and to represent Him in the world. Whether we do that as a ditch digger, a teacher, or a lawyer is not the point. Our primary work is to be citizens of heaven with eternity on our mind, who live here as honorable and honest people.
God is a good Father…
And yet, God knows that we have needs for food, shelter, clothing, medical care, etc. He is a good father who seeks to care for us here too.
“…do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 7:31-33)
Work to get out of debt. Be thankful for your earthly work, your job. Do it well. And grow into the next position if you need to for your own support and for your family.
God will help you every step of the way as you choose to lean on Him and follow His biblical principles. Study those Bible verses about debt. There is more that can be said about the Bible and money, but this is a beginning. God bless you as you let Him help you in this and every area of your life.
Further Reading:
I will be 75 soon. I have accumulated more credit card debt that I KNOW I could not pay these balances in full with the time I have left here on this earth. My health is not good! This weighs heavy upon me. I have no real assets: no land/property or financial investments, no car. My only income is from retirement, and upon my death any income STOPS! I am a devout Christian…I am talking to my Lord to guide me! Most of this debt was to assist my daughter; mother of my beloved grandchildren. I am feeling such distress! I continue to make monthly payments and never late…but when I die; I will be leaving behind allot of debt! My only comfort is keeping my Faith….to believe that my Lord & Savior will show me a way! My prayers lead me here. I live with my other daughter in her basement.
Oh Karen,
I am so sorry for this struggle with debt. I can see that you are doing two excellent things – trusting God and making monthly payments. I am going to add you to my prayer list – asking God for a miracle breakthrough and lots of wisdom for you.
Dear Karen,
First, I know that God is healing God, a forgiving God and a God of all kinds of miraculous change arounds. You still have a sweet future ahead of you. Pam is indeed a blessing too! Wisdom is what we need. Simply asking for the wisdom and healing from God and you shall receive. Know that God will make this right, and when you pray, pray knowing that your prayers shall be done. We have to pray for his will for us, and I know He loves you. Financial stresses can be a burden, but it doesn’t have to. Dont look at the amount, don’t think of what debt could be left behind. What God has left for you here on earth are the tools necessary to be debt free. Im working on this myself. Meditation on his word that relates to financial freedom and His will for me. I take things and make them very small in my head, and give it to God. Blessings
All I ever wanted was to be set free from debts and loans as I used them for my own and help with my family as well. If God willing to set me free I’d pay my Loans little by little. I love God I will always pick God above all others because he is my father and he knows what’s best for me for as long as I live I will and shall worship him, in Jesus name I Pray amen.
Mark, Your heart for God – to continue to trust in Him and to look for his guidance with your debt – will bring you the success you need in overcoming debt. God bless you. I pray with you for God’s help to lead you to freedom.
Put me on your prayer list I have lost everything in my life. I’m working but what I am receiving can’t make me finish the debt that I have accumulated due to interests. Debtors have almost taken everything. I have no access to my salary. It’s bad. I stay with four kids life is really tough. I only trust in God.
Steve,
I have put you on my prayer list. I pray that God will help you and give you creative solutions for getting out of debt. I am so sorry for your struggle.
I understand dearly, I’m in credit card debt up to my eye balls and I’m waiting on a financial break through as well. I hope and pray God turn this around for the both of us. Debt free for the both of us in the mighty name of God…
Windy,
I am in agreement with your prayer. May God make you both free of debt. Start paying off what you can on the smallest or the most urgent debt. Keep at it! God bless you and provide for you as you trust in Him!
I have full pf debts right now and cant imagine how to pay this. I trust and believe God that he will give me way and knowledge to solve this. People are keeps me made me suffer. I pray that ill be settled tonight so that Ill rest well, study well and continue my dreams. Ive been depress because i dont have anyone to go. Im asking help to friends but no one provide . We are poor and Im suffering now. I dont want to end my life because of this. I hope God will answer all my prayer. Im being hopeless now. I need help.
Sis,
I know you feel helpless and hopeless, but our God is the God of the impossible. You must keep on living and believing in Him. Look for any way you can earn money that is legitimate and moral and do it. Start with the smallest or most urgent debt and pay that off first. Then continue to pay a little on the next debt in a steady manner. You can do this. Keep looking for believers who can pray with you and encourage you even if they also are too poor to help you with money. I know you can find your way out with the help of the Lord.
Your children will not inherent your debt
Please pray for me I have so many debts to pay and I don’t know how I’ll pay them, this is affecting me mentally. Cast this spirit of debts from me I need peace and wisdom. Thanks
Dear Vera, I am adding you to my prayer list. Try to find the smallest debt you have. Pay it off. Then go after the next bigger one. That is one system of having some initial success which will get you more motivated. I know sometimes, the bigger debts may be more urgent. By that, I mean that creditors may be after you for certain debts and not others. But the “pay off the smallest debt first” does sometimes, help people get going. I will pray. I know this is SO very hard and frightening. Trust that God knows and has His eye on you.
Pls add me up to your prayers am Fredrick Darko
It has really been tough for me with debt. I nearly summit suicide last year but with prayer and fasting I was able to overcome committing suicide. I’ve no job, the business i started with investor money crumble this is how I did felt into misery. I’ve pray , fast, work hard but nothing seem to work anymore. I’m a dead man working. I ve cried, beg God my heavenly Father to make a way for me. I bleed entering new year with debt. I thought of selling one of my kidney because of pressure and threat to take away my life. They do whatever the want to do to me. I’m a slave. I know God is my father and he love me. But I don’t know if he will help me maybe I’ve hurt me. That why the heaven has been close against me. I’m ready to sacrifice my life and die as a debt free person. I really wish to have freedom again. May God help me as I keep struggling everyday to gain my freedom from bundage prison, hell and slavery.
George, I am so sorry to read of your overwhelming struggle with debt – and to think of you even considering selling a kidney as a way out. Precious Lord, I pray with George for his freedom from this bondage. George, is there anyone among the people you know who can help – a pastor or good, solid friends with faith? I feel you need some allies to pray with you and perhaps give you advice. I pray you can find another simple, steady job and begin to repay little by little what you owe. I will add you to my prayer list.
I need you to help me in prayers, am in debt and at the same time lost my job. My heart is heavy because presently i can’t figure out how to pay the debt and the interest keep increasing each time I fail to pay on the due date am just confuse I can’t sleep well because I can’t get this thinking out of my mind.
Good evening,im in a big debt ,all effort to pay prove abotive pls join me in prayers
Helen, I know it is scary and can seem impossible to get out of debt. But, I know as we turn to God for His help and start trying to pay off our small and most urgent debts and then work towards the bigger ones, we can find a way out. I pray God will give you wisdom, direction, and loving people to support you as you get free of debt.
May God help all the debtors this year Amen
Amen! May God give wonderful guidance to debtors on a pathway to freedom and financial stability.
Am a Ugandan, 33yrs old born from Eastern Uganda🇺🇬. I was born from avery poor family of 7. Am the only child is my family that has aquired high education and the entire falimy looks upto me for survival. Because of the financial struggles have been through, i have found myself falling victim of debts worthy $6000. I have prayed, trusted and believed God for an answer to my debts for a while now but God seems silent on me. I have no one else to run to but Jesus. What can i do?
Esther,
Your leaning on Jesus is exactly right as the first step. Do not move from that position of worshipping, praying, and pouring your heart out to the Lord. He is able to make a way where there is no way. How hard it must be for you to be the sole breadwinner in your family and to be carrying such debt. Is there someone in your church that might help and guide you – your pastor, or a trusted elder? Perhaps someone could help you set up small payments, offer you better paying work, or direct you to a ministry in your area that helps people in need. I know God will light a path for you.
Am a Nigerian by birth, I took loans to meet up pay for school registration and for selfish reasons and I didn’t know if going to be this hard to pay back I returned the money but the interest are to heavy my heart felt like giving up. I have a job to help me meet up the payments monthly but i still don’t pay on time, they keep adding interest and I tried to reach about it, hoping they’ll help stop the interest but no way. I prayed and prayed and kept faith in God it seems my heart is heavy even while in church. Please need prayers because my mom is just frustrated helping me as well.
Emmanuel, I am so sorry that you have gotten stuck in this debt. All over the world, often in poor areas, there are people that appear to want to help with loans. But, instead they saddle people, who cannot pay, with huge interest payments. This is your burden. God hates this. He says in Amos 8:4-6: “Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, saying, ‘When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?’ – skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling eve the sweepings with the wheat.”
God hates people being cheated. So, don’t give up on God. He loves you and wants you out of this mess. Keep working. Keep paying. And then be very careful about borrowing money in the future. Stay away from it, if you can. I will be praying for you.
Am also in a financial mess I pray always for Gods mercy to write it off. I don’t have a job never been lucky to have a steady job. All my hope now is God. I woke up today crying out for help.
Jite, I am so sorry you are in a financial mess and that you have never had a steady job. How frightened you must be. But I firmly believe when we cry out to God, which you are doing, He will make a way. Keep praying, do not give up. Keep seeking a steady job, but work at anything you can, then pay off small debts first. You may have already asked family for help. Even if they can’t help you with money, I pray that they will stand by you with love, prayer, and encouragement. I am adding your name to my prayer list.
Am in debt but am praying and believing God for good business to pay up. I know one day I will be free from debt in Jesus name. Amen.
Angelina,
I join you in that prayer, that God will give you wonderful ideas for dealing with your debt and that He will open doors for you to succeed financially. Keep being faithful and trusting in God.
I am asking you to please pray for me. I am currently in debt. It is too much that nothing is left in my salary. I am working but nothing is left for me to pay off my debts to so many people. Interests are also piling up almost everyday. I am in so much depression that i sometimes loose hope and wish for the morning not to come. Every time i wake up i feel so tired and cannot do anything but cry. I do not even know if God will help me because i know being in debt is my fault. I have no one to talk to my family cannot understand me. Please help me..i am praying for miracle for breakthrough and financial freedom. All i want is peace so i can sleep well and move forward
Get a hold of Kenneth Hagens books! on relying on the Holy spirit that is in you!! to hear from the Holy spirit on what to do!!!!!!
God does not respond to crying and begging. get ken Hagen book on the “Authority of the believer” and do what it says to do!!!.
Kenneth Hagin truly discovered the way to have faith also in the area of finances. He practiced it and taught it. God always supplied his needs – and it is true, we need to come to believe that we have authority as believers – even where money is concerned.