Paid in Full: A Christian Perspective on Debt, Simplicity, and Faith

Paid! It hurt the pocketbook a bit, but what a relief it was. A breath of fresh air followed the moment the debt was gone. No more interest accruing. No more stress wondering if the next payment would make it on time.

Money can be a blessing—but it can also be a curse. First Timothy 6:10 (NKJV) warns us, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Most people don’t love money itself—they love what money can provide.

But that raises a powerful question: What do we really need? Do we truly need all the things we chase? Do the gadgets and comforts we fill our homes with actually enhance our lives?

When Jesus walked the earth, He lived simply. He had no home, no bank account, no suitcase full of clothes, not even a written Bible to carry. Jesus lived humbly and clearly understood what mattered most.

Some might say, “Well, Jesus was different. He lived in another time.” And that’s true—but aren’t we supposed to be different, too?

The truth is, the only thing we truly need is Jesus. A relationship with Him is more than enough. The Apostle Paul understood this deeply. In Acts 20:24 (NKJV), he said, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Please don’t misunderstand—it's not a sin to have nice things or to enjoy blessings. But what should dominate our lives is not wealth or possessions—it is Christ. Instead of counting pennies and worrying over what we own, let’s start counting the minutes and hours we spend serving the Almighty.