Christians sometimes talk about the physical and the spiritual as if they were two separate realities—but they are connected. Being worn down physically has an adverse spiritual effect. When we are impacted by illness, hunger, or lack of sleep, it affects our spiritual outlook and ability to make wise decisions.
In the same way, we cannot compartmentalize our financial management from our spiritual life. Not only can we get a clear picture of our spiritual priorities from our financial habits, but the decisions we make with our resources also impact our spiritual sensitivity.
Debt is a neutral tool—neither good nor bad in and of itself. However, the mismanagement of debt can be dangerous. American consumer debt is out of control. In 2013, the average household in America owed $6,900 in credit card debt. That number climbed to $8,497 by 2017, and has ballooned to $10,767 in 2025.
As our debt grows, it impacts our ability to hear and respond to God in the following four ways.
1. Debt makes us feel poorer than we are.
We live in a culture that encourages us to live beyond our means. When we are struggling to make payments on debts we have accrued, it feels like we are scraping by. This can happen with people making six-figure incomes just as easily as someone who makes $40,000. The problem is that debt causes us to lose perspective on our real wealth.
You do not want to end up in a position where your financial perspective and God’s are entirely at odds. He may have blessed you with an income that allows you to bless others, but there is a problem if you leverage that income in a way that makes you feel impoverished.
2. Debt discourages generosity.
The natural consequence of always feeling financially strapped is that we do not have the breathing room necessary to be generous. Instead of feeling the joy of giving sacrificially, we find ourselves giving out of obligation and insufficiency.
Paul’s advice to “owe no one anything, except to love each other” (Romans 13:8 ESV) is sound. Outstanding debt infringes upon our ability to give freely and openly.
3. Debt affects our view of God’s provision.
In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus encourages us to pray for our daily bread. In the same way that God daily distributed manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:1–36), Jesus encourages us to look for His daily provision in our lives. After all, God does not always provide everything in advance.
What happens if you already owe tomorrow’s allotment of bread to someone else? Suddenly, God’s provision seems inadequate.
4. Debt can make obedience difficult.
Every Christian wants to be able to respond to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and conviction. When faced with a local, national, or global need, Christians want to give. But debt can create dissonance. It is another factor that needs to be taken into account when you feel led to meet someone else’s lack.
What happens when you are drawn to more dramatic changes? Imagine feeling a distinct call to the mission field or to join a ministry where you need to raise your own support. No matter how badly you want to be obedient, you are still responsible to the credit card company, retail establishment, or bank that you owe money to.
Too much debt can become a chain that holds you in place and an impediment to following God’s call.
You can become debt wise.
In the twenty-first century, it is pretty difficult to avoid all debt.
But you can address your debt and find financial and spiritual freedom. If you’d like some advice on where to start, we’d love to encourage you. Email us at contactcenter@cdfcapital.org or call us at 888-540-7112. We are passionate about helping Christians develop good stewardship habits as they are transformed by a Kingdom perspective of their resources.
