One of the biggest chains that bind many is debt. And there are many reasons for debt to become an issue. Some reasons are innocent, some from neglect or lack of financial skill and some from lack of discipline. But after it becomes an issue, it often grows exponentially. I have had debt issues before but was able to get a consolidated loan to pay it off after a few years. I have learned that what works for me is not using credit cards, not having a car loan and using a minimal budgeting system. My favorite part is paying myself a certain amount of money every month that I can spend however I am led! As I write this, I realize some ways that I have drifted from parts of this commitment, “Lord, lead me back!”
Jesus said, “Neither of two debtors could repay a moneylender, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answered, “The one with the larger debt.” Jesus continued, “This woman who cleaned My feet with her hair has been forgiven much and shows Me much love. But a person forgiven little shows only little love.” From Luke 7: 42-47
Some reasons for having debt are legitimate, like a low percentage house mortgage or a sound business loan. And although Jesus doesn’t judge the debtor, He does tell many parables that use debt in the story. His interest is mostly in the forgiveness of debt and sin and how they are entangled in God’s spiritual economy. Jesus Himself owned little, and what His disciples received, He delegated to them to manage. This was a sure way for Him not to be entangled with a habit of debt.
The story above highlights the woman who wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair and anointed Him with perfume. While she was doing that, Jesus shared the story about the two debtors. This story was not about the grace of the moneylender, but about the responses of the two men. Jesus wanted to know, which of them will love more. And Jesus agreed with Simon’s answer. He summed it up by saying to the woman who had much sin, “Your many sins are forgiven because you loved much.”
Jesus used debt as an illustration for sin because the agony we might experience, having a debt we cannot pay, should be the same agony we might experience over what we owe God, and cannot pay from our own resources. In Matthew 6:12, Jesus taught us to pray: Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. This adds a twist to God’s spiritual economy that Jesus practiced in front of His disciples. Forgiveness is not a one-way street, but a circle. We forgive those that owe us and God forgives us. God forgives us and we forgive any debts owed us.
Learn from debt, remember its agonizing grip, but feel His freedom in forgiving our most lasting debts. And don’t lend unless you have the ability to forgive the debt, as God does (Luke 6:35).
Who do you owe or you feel owes you a debt?
Who do you need to forgive or you think needs to ask forgiveness from you?
Use Search in your Bible app or online and search for the many places Jesus talks about forgiveness. Ask Him to make it clear how you are to move forward. You might ask a wise friend to counsel you and pray for you before taking any steps you feel uncomfortable with.
Gracious God, Your forgiveness for my sin and the immense debt it produced is wrapped up in Your love for me and my love for You. You have paid this debt for me once and for all and I cannot do anything but call You Savior. My whole life is Yours. Amen.
happy hunger 
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