October 1
The Weight
of Debt
"Rich people rule over those who are poor. Borrowers are slaves to lenders."
Proverbs 22:7 (NIrV)
Sylvia had always been responsible with money. She worked hard, had a steady income, and lived within her means. But then, one day at the bank, she was offered something she had never had before—a credit card. The representative smiled warmly. "It’s a great way to build your credit score," he said. "And it’s there for emergencies or little treats for yourself."
At first, she was cautious. A new pair of shoes? Why not? They were on sale, and she could pay it off next paycheck. Lunch with friends? Just this once. It wasn’t much—only small amounts. But those small amounts added up, and before she knew it, she was using her credit card for everything. A coffee here, a dinner out there, a few things for the house, and suddenly, the balance was growing faster than she could keep up.
One evening, Sylvia logged into her account and felt her stomach drop. Her credit card was maxed out. Worse, the minimum payment was more than she could afford. She hadn’t even realized how bad it had gotten. She had been telling herself, I’ll pay it off soon. Just one more month. But now, she was trapped.
The weight of the debt pressed down on her like a heavy chain. Every paycheck seemed to disappear before she could even touch it. Interest kept piling on, and no matter how hard she worked, she felt like she was drowning. She lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, heart racing.
"Lord, how did I let this happen?" she whispered into the darkness. "I thought I was in control, but now I feel so trapped. Please help me find a way out."
The next morning, she decided to make a change. She called her bank, set up a plan to pay off the debt, and cut up her credit card. It wasn’t easy—saying no to impulse purchases, sticking to a strict budget—but with each payment, the weight lifted a little.
One evening, months later, she sat at her kitchen table and looked at her final credit card statement. Paid in full. Tears welled up in her eyes. She was free. The verse from Proverbs rang in her heart—borrowers are slaves to lenders. She had felt that truth firsthand. But now, she was wiser. She had learned that true freedom wasn’t about being able to buy whatever she wanted—it was about not being chained to debt.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for opening my eyes to the truth.
I see now how easily I let debt control me, how I relied on money instead of trusting You to provide.
Please help me to be wise with what You have given me.
Teach me discipline and contentment so that I may live in freedom, not in financial bondage.
Help me to trust in You, knowing that You are my provider and my peace.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
