Why Slavery Isn’t So Bad

Before you stop reading any more articles on Faith and Finance, please know that I’m not talking about slavery in the form of people being treated as a possession by others.  That’s just wrong.   I’m talking about the slavery that keeps us from experiencing financial freedom.  The slavery I’m talking about is debt.

I hate debt with a passion and I’m sure you can relate.  But why would I write an article saying that debt is not that bad?  Have I gone crazy?

I’d like to think that I haven’t lost it just yet, so hear me out on this.  If it’s true that there’s a flip side to everything, what if there’s something good about being in debt?  What if the financial slavery of debt was actually something that changed your life for the better?  Perhaps it can.

J.N. Darby, an Anglo Irish evangelist said,

“To be hungry is not enough; I must be really starving to know what is in [God’s] heart toward me…When the prodigal son was hungry he went to feed upon husks, but when he was starving, he turned to his father.”

Sometimes when we’re in our most desperate of situations, we will finally push aside everything else and turn to God for guidance.  This seems to be especially true when we’re trying to get back on track with our finances.

Opportunities for Growth

So, if you’re finding yourself to be a slave to debt, don’t ignore the tremendous potential for spiritual growth that’s just knocking at your door.

Use this time to rely on Christ

Isn’t it good to know that we can depend on Christ to provide for all our needs?  We know we can because God’s word says so in Philippians 4:19:

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

The best part about our dependence on Christ is that we don’t have to wait until we’re in a bind to rely on Him.  No, our dependence on Christ should be evident at the start of everything we set out to do.

Take God at his Word

Using this time to dig deeper into the scriptures will not only allow you to draw closer to Christ, it will lay the foundation for better stewardship of your finances when you’ve overcome debt.  We know that God’s word is truth and that he proves faithful time and time again.

Psalm 119:11

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Share your success with others

What a testimony it would be to share your story with others going through the same thing you are!  We’re actually encouraged to comfort those in need, just as we have been comforted.

II Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Being a slave to debt is a difficult thing to overcome.  It takes time, but you don’t have to do it alone.  Find comfort in God’s word and use this time to grow spiritually and to mature in your dependence on Christ.  Only then will you experience true freedom.

Have you turned your debt experience into something that encourages others in similar situations?  I’d love to hear how.