Stewardship, Debt, and the Call to Generosity
Summary
Everything we have and everything we are belongs to God. This foundational truth shapes how we approach our finances, our possessions, and even our sense of self. When we recognize that our resources are not truly our own, but gifts entrusted to us by God, it changes our priorities and our sense of responsibility. Instead of being driven by the world’s constant push to acquire more through debt, we are called to steward what we have with wisdom and intentionality.
The culture around us normalizes debt as a way of life—loans for cars, homes, and even everyday purchases. Yet, Scripture consistently warns about the dangers of debt, describing it as a form of bondage and a source of stress and anxiety. While borrowing is not condemned outright, the language of the Bible is clear: debt can enslave us, distract us from God, and hinder our ability to be generous. The borrower becomes servant to the lender, and our hearts can become entangled in worry and obligation.
Practical steps, like budgeting and following a plan to pay off debts, are not just financial advice—they are spiritual disciplines. By being intentional with our money, we create space to live generously, to provide for our families, and to be free from the anxiety that comes with owing others. The “debt snowball” method—paying off the smallest debts first and rolling those payments into larger ones—mirrors the biblical principle of steady, faithful progress. It’s not about quick fixes or get-rich-quick schemes, but about cultivating a heart that is content, disciplined, and open-handed.
God’s vision for His people is one of freedom and generosity. In the Old Testament, debts were canceled every seven years, ensuring that no one remained perpetually burdened. This radical generosity is a reflection of God’s own heart, who canceled our greatest debt through Christ. We are called to live simply, within our means, and to seek the kind of financial freedom that allows us to respond to God’s call with open hands and open hearts.
Key Takeaways
- True stewardship begins with the recognition that everything we have belongs to God. This mindset shifts our focus from ownership to responsibility, prompting us to use our resources in ways that honor Him and serve others, rather than simply accumulating for ourselves. [00:43]
- Debt is not inherently sinful, but it is spiritually dangerous. Scripture describes debt as a form of bondage that can enslave us, create anxiety, and distract us from God’s purposes. The warnings are clear: debt can compromise our freedom and our ability to be generous. [06:37]
- Intentional planning and budgeting are acts of faithfulness. Knowing what comes in and what goes out, and making a plan to eliminate debt, is not just about financial health—it’s about aligning our lives with God’s wisdom and preparing ourselves to be generous when opportunities arise. [03:22]
- Contentment is a spiritual discipline that protects us from the endless pursuit of more. The world encourages us to chase after the next thing, often through debt, but true satisfaction comes from recognizing the sufficiency of what God has already provided and resisting the urge to compare or compete. [18:18]
- Generosity is the ultimate goal of financial freedom. God’s command to cancel debts and care for the poor reveals His heart for a community marked by open-handedness. When we are free from the chains of debt, we are able to give joyfully and meet the needs of others, reflecting the generosity God has shown us in Christ. [16:22]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:43] - Everything Belongs to God
[01:47] - The Debt Snowball Explained
[03:22] - The Importance of Budgeting
[04:12] - The Culture of Debt
[05:19] - The Lure and Trap of Easy Credit
[06:37] - What Scripture Says About Debt
[09:57] - Changing Our Mindset About Money
[10:56] - Debt as Bondage and Warning
[12:24] - Where Is Your Heart?
[13:29] - The Year of Debt Release
[14:31] - Generosity in Lending
[16:22] - The Freedom to Be Generous
[17:29] - The Illusion of Satisfaction
[19:36] - The Relief of Paying Off Debt
[21:18] - Learning from Failure
[22:44] - Living Simply and Generously
[24:10] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Stewardship, Debt, and Generosity”
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### Bible Reading
- Romans 13:8 – “Owe nothing to anyone except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.”
- Proverbs 22:7 – “Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is slave to the lender.”
- Deuteronomy 15:1-11 – (Selections) “At the end of every seventh year, you must cancel the debts of everyone who owes you money... There should be no poor among you... Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need... Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything that you do.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 13:8, what is the one thing we are always obligated to “owe” to others?
2. In Proverbs 22:7, what kind of relationship does the Bible say exists between a borrower and a lender?
3. What did God command the Israelites to do every seven years in Deuteronomy 15, and what was the purpose behind this command? [13:29]
4. In the sermon, what are some of the words used to describe the experience of being in debt? (e.g., slave, caught, burdened) [09:57]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Bible uses such strong language—like “slave” or “bondage”—to describe debt? What does this reveal about God’s heart for His people? [06:37]
2. The sermon says, “Everything we have and everything we are belongs to God.” How does this truth challenge the way most people view their money and possessions? [00:43]
3. In Deuteronomy 15, God commands the cancellation of debts and generosity toward the poor. What does this reveal about the kind of community God wants His people to be? [14:31]
4. The sermon mentions that budgeting and paying off debt are not just financial advice, but spiritual disciplines. Why might intentional financial planning be considered a spiritual act? [03:22]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to see ourselves as stewards, not owners, of our resources. What is one area of your life (money, time, possessions) where you struggle to remember that it all belongs to God? How could you remind yourself of this truth this week? [00:43]
2. Debt is described as a form of bondage that can create anxiety and limit generosity. If you have debt, how does it affect your sense of freedom or your ability to give? What is one practical step you could take this month to move toward financial freedom? [06:37]
3. The “debt snowball” method is about steady, faithful progress. Is there a small debt or financial obligation you could focus on paying off first? What would it look like to celebrate progress, even if it’s slow? [01:47]
4. The sermon talks about the pressure to “keep up” and always want more. Can you think of a recent time when you felt this pressure? How did it affect your decisions? What would it look like to practice contentment in that situation? [18:18]
5. God’s vision is for His people to be generous and open-handed. Is there someone in your life or community who has a need you could help meet? What might be holding you back from being generous, and how could you take a step toward generosity this week? [16:22]
6. The sermon says that budgeting is a spiritual discipline. Do you currently have a budget or plan for your finances? If not, what is one small step you could take to start? If you do, how could you use it to create more space for generosity? [03:22]
7. The Old Testament law canceled debts every seven years. While we may not be able to do that literally, is there a “debt” (financial, relational, or emotional) you need to forgive or release in your own life? What would it look like to let go of that burden? [13:29]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you see your resources as His, to give you wisdom in managing what you have, and to grow a heart of contentment and generosity. Thank Him for the freedom He gives through Christ, and pray for the courage to take practical steps toward financial freedom and open-handed living.
Devotional
Day 1: The Dangers and Bondage of Debt
Debt creates bondage and stress, often leading to a sense of desperation and loss. Scripture repeatedly warns that while borrowing is not inherently sinful, it can enslave us, making us dependent and burdened. The world may normalize debt, but God’s Word cautions us to avoid it whenever possible, recognizing the spiritual and emotional weight it brings. Consider how debt can distract from God’s purposes and hinder generosity, and reflect on the freedom God desires for His people. [11:48]
Romans 13:8 (ESV)
"Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."
Reflection: In what ways has debt—financial or otherwise—created stress or a sense of bondage in your life, and what is one practical step you can take this week to move toward greater freedom?
Day 2: You Cannot Serve Both God and Money
Our hearts are revealed by what we serve—money or God. The pursuit of wealth and possessions can easily become a rival master, drawing our devotion and energy away from God. Jesus’ words remind us that we cannot serve two masters; our loyalty must be to God alone. When we chase after material things, we risk losing sight of our true purpose and the contentment found in Christ. [06:37]
Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where the pursuit of money or possessions has competed with your devotion to God, and how can you intentionally shift your focus back to Him today?
Day 3: The Call to Generosity and Release
God’s design for His people includes radical generosity and periodic release from debt, reflecting His own mercy and provision. The command to forgive debts and care for the poor is not just about financial transactions but about cultivating a generous heart. God blesses those who give freely, and He calls us to lend and give without grudging, trusting Him to provide for our needs as we care for others. [14:31]
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (ESV)
"If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’"
Reflection: Who is someone in your life or community you can be generous toward this week, and what specific act of generosity can you offer them?
Day 4: Contentment Over Chasing the Next Thing
Chasing after the next possession or upgrade often leads to disappointment and a never-ending cycle of desire. True contentment comes from recognizing that material things cannot satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts. When we learn to be content with what we have, we break free from the pressure to keep up and can focus on what truly matters—relationships, purpose, and God’s calling. [18:18]
Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
Reflection: What is one area where you have been tempted to chase after “the next thing,” and how can you practice contentment and gratitude for what you already have today?
Day 5: Intentional Stewardship and Planning
God calls us to be intentional stewards of the resources He provides, planning wisely and living within our means. Rather than drifting or reacting to financial pressures, we are invited to budget, prepare, and use money as a tool for God’s purposes. This intentionality not only brings peace and freedom but also positions us to be generous and to fulfill God’s calling in our lives. [13:29]
Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)
"The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to become more intentional in managing your finances or resources, and how might this help you live more freely and generously?
Quotes
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