Good morning!
A few weeks ago, we did something that was pretty special for our family. For the first time since Robert became an adult, we took a family vacation together. When he accepted his new job, he told me, "In six months, I get a week of vacation, and I want us to go to Branson." My response wasn't, "We'll figure it out when the time comes." It was, "Then we need to start saving now."
Because he was making a good income, I told him that if we were all going to enjoy the trip, he needed to contribute one-third of the cost. So together we sat down and created a budget and a savings plan. It fit right alongside my own budget and savings goals. By the time vacation arrived, we knew exactly how much money we had available. We enjoyed ourselves, saw the shows we wanted to see, ate good food, and made wonderful memories.
Did we go a little over budget? Yes.
But here's the difference--we weren't putting those memories on credit cards that would follow us home for months. We weren't creating financial stress for our future selves. We came home, adjusted our budget a little, and immediately started saving for our next adventure.
That experience reminded me of something important.
Planning ahead gives us freedom.
It gave us the freedom to enjoy our vacation without constantly wondering if we could afford it. It gave us peace of mind. And it gave us something to look forward to because our next trip is already part of the plan.
That's what inspired this new Bible study series I'm calling The Money Diet.
This isn't a study about becoming wealthy.
It's about becoming wise.
Over the next four weeks, we'll look at what God's Word teaches us about debt, contentment, generosity, and faithful stewardship. My prayer is that by the end of this series, we'll all be encouraged to handle God's blessings in a way that brings peace instead of pressure and freedom instead of financial bondage.
When most people hear the word diet, they think about giving things up. But a healthy diet isn't really about deprivation, it's about making wise choices that lead to a healthier, freer life.
The same is true with our finances.
A Money Diet isn't about never buying coffee, never taking a vacation, or feeling guilty every time we spend money. It's about learning to handle God's blessings in a way that brings peace instead of stress, freedom instead of bondage, and purpose instead of regret.
We'll explore four important questions:
- Week 1: What does God say about debt?
- Week 2: How do we get out of debt using biblical principles?
- Week 3: How do we stay out of debt by learning contentment?
- Week 4: Why does God bless us financially, and how should we use what He has entrusted to us?
Whether you're carrying debt, living paycheck to paycheck, or simply wanting to become a better steward, my prayer is that this study will encourage you. God's Word has timeless wisdom for every area of our lives, including our finances.
Let's begin where many financial struggles begin: debt.
Proverbs 22:7 tells us, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender."
This verse doesn't say borrowing money is a sin.
It also doesn't say every Christian should never have a loan. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of borrowing, lending, and even laws that protected those who found themselves in debt. But notice the picture this verse paints. It compares the debt to slavery.
That comparison is striking because slavery limits freedom. A slave doesn't get to make every decision for themselves, they are obligated to someone else. Debt can feel much the same way. I have had times in my life where that was very real, Worrying about spending one extra dime because we were up to our eyeballs.
Every month, before we can spend money on our family, or future, or helping others, someone else may already have a claim on part of our paycheck. Debt can limit opportunities, create stress, and keep us from responding freely when God places a need in front of us. God isn't trying to keep us from enjoying life, He is trying to protect us from unnecessary burdens that rob us of peace.
What Debt Can Cost Us
It can steal our peace
Many people lose sleep over finances. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:31–33 not to live consumed by worry but to seek God's kingdom first and trust Him to provide for our needs. When debt becomes overwhelming, worry often follows. God desires something better for His children.
It can limit our freedom
Imagine wanting to help someone in need but being unable because every extra dollar is already committed. Or imagine feeling called to change jobs, serve in ministry, or give generously—but being unable because financial obligations leave no room to move. Debt can quietly become a chain that keeps us from the freedom God desires.
It can reveal our hearts
Sometimes debt comes from emergencies, illness, job loss, or circumstances completely outside our control. Other times, it comes from impatience, comparison, or wanting today what we cannot yet afford. This study isn't about guilt. It's about honestly asking God to search our hearts. Where did we end up here? And where does God want to lead us from here?
Romans 13:8 reminds us: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another..."
Paul reminds us that wile financial debts should be paid faithfully, our greatest liefling obligation is to love others.
Psalms 37:21 says, "The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously."
God values integrity, if we borrow, our goal should always be to honor our commitments.
A few things to reflect on this week:
This Week's Challenge:
Take an honest look at your finances.
Write down every debt, large or small
Don't do it to shame yourself
Do it because freedom begins with honesty
Then pray over that list.
Ask God to give you wisdom, discipline, patience, and hope as you begin taking one faithful step at a time.
Remember, every debt that gets paid off starts with a single payment.
Every healthy financial future begins with one wise decision.
Debt does not define your worth. Your past financial decisions do not determine your future. God is a God of new beginnings. As we continue this series, we'll discover that biblical financial freedom isn't built on luck or getting rich quickly. It's built on wisdom, faithfulness, contentment, and trusting the One who owns it all.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for caring about every part of our lives, including our finances. Help us become people who plan wisely, spend carefully, repay faithfully, and trust You completely. Give us the discipline to make choices today that bring freedom tomorrow. May everything You've entrusted to us be used in ways that honor You and bless others. Amen
Have a great weekend!
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