Forgive Us Our Debts: Trusting God in Financial Uncertainty
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
When Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” in the Lord’s Prayer, what did He mean? Some translations use the word trespasses, while others say sins. Yet, the word debts—used in Matthew 6:12 of the King James Version—is intentional. It carrys both a financial and spiritual meaning, illustrating how our Heavenly Father calls us to experience both debt forgiveness and spiritual forgiveness.
Christian money management isn’t just about balancing a budget; it’s about aligning our finances with God’s will. From the Old Testament’s seventh-year debt release to Jesus’ teachings on generosity and forgiveness, the Bible isn’t quiet on the topic of managing money in a way that honors God.
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Understanding “Forgive Us Our Debts” in the Lord’s Prayer
When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He included a simple yet profound request:
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12 NIV
For many believers, this phrase is deeply familiar from this common prayer, yet its meaning is richer than we might realize. The word debts carries both a spiritual and financial significance, reflecting God’s desire for both forgiveness of sin and financial wisdom.
The Dual Meaning of “Debts” in Scripture
In biblical times, debt was more than a financial issue—it was a moral and spiritual concept. The Greek word for debts in Matthew 6:12, opheilēmata, can refer to both financial obligations and sins. This dual meaning shapes how we understand this key verse.
1. Debt as a Symbol of Sin
Just as we owe a financial debt when we borrow money, we owe a moral debt when we understand sin as a violation of God’s law and a barrier to our relationship with Him.
This idea is echoed in Colossians 2:13-14 (NIV):
“When you were dead in your sins… God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”
Here, Paul describes sin as a legal indebtedness that Jesus wiped away, much like a financial debt being erased. This reinforces the idea that just as God forgives our sins, He calls us to reflect that same grace in our financial dealings.
2. Debt as a Financial Reality
While Matthew 6:12 has a spiritual emphasis, the Bible also speaks extensively about literal financial debt and the importance of managing money wisely. Debt in biblical times was often a severe burden, leading to slavery or economic ruin if not repaid.
For example, Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) warns:
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”
Jesus’ inclusion of debts in the Lord’s Prayer suggests that financial burdens should not be ignored. Just as God desires to set us free from sin, He also cares about our financial well-being and calls us to financial stewardship.
📖 Related Resource: Christian Debt Relief Solutions
The Old Testament’s Teachings on Financial Debt and Forgiveness
The concept of forgiving financial debts is not just a New Testament idea—it has deep roots in the Old Testament. God commanded His people to practice economic mercy and justice, ensuring that financial burdens did not destroy lives.
The Seventh-Year Debt Cancellation (Deuteronomy 15:1-2)
One of the most significant financial laws in the Old Testament was the seven-year debt release:
“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite.”
Deuteronomy 15:1-2 NIV
This law ensured that debt would not be a lifelong trap for the poor. Every seventh year, Israelites were commanded to release their fellow countrymen from unpaid debts, preventing generational poverty.
Why does this matter today?
- It highlights God’s desire for financial compassion and fairness.
- It encourages us to avoid oppressive lending practices and be merciful in financial dealings.
- It reminds us that money should not control our relationships—people matter more than profit.
The Year of Jubilee: A Radical Economic Reset (Leviticus 25:10)
Even more astonishing was the Year of Jubilee, which occurred every 50 years:
“Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.”
Leviticus 25:10 NIV
During Jubilee:
✅ All debts were forgiven.
✅ Land was returned to original owners.
✅ Slaves were set free.
God called His people to practice justice, generosity, and economic renewal. Jubilee demonstrated that wealth and possessions were not of the highest importance.
Jesus Teaches Us About Forgiving Debts—Financial and Spiritual
Jesus took the Old Testament principles of debt forgiveness and expanded them in His teachings, emphasizing both financial mercy and spiritual forgiveness.
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35)
This parable offers one of Jesus’ most powerful teachings on financial and spiritual debt.
The parable begins with a king who seeks to settle accounts with his servants. In the story, a servant owed his master a massive debt—one he could never repay. The master forgave the entire debt out of compassion. However, the servant then refused to forgive a much smaller debt owed to him by another. The master became angry and revoked the forgiveness, condemning the servant.
Jesus concludes the parable with a sobering reminder:
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Matthew 6:14 KJV
Our willingness to extend mercy to others, including in financial matters, is a reflection of God’s forgiveness and grace.
Key Takeaways:
- God has forgiven us of far more than we could ever owe.
- We must reflect that same mercy toward others, including in financial matters.
- Holding onto financial grudges can harden our hearts spiritually.
What Does It Mean to Forgive Financial Debts Today?
The concept of forgiving debts may seem distant in our modern world, where financial systems operate on contracts, interest rates, and long-term repayment plans. Unlike ancient Israel, we don’t have a mandated seventh-year debt release, even if we are presently in a Year of Jubilee. Our financial burdens are not going to be erased by law. However, the principles behind these biblical commands remain just as relevant today.
At its core, debt forgiveness in the Bible was about mercy, justice, and restoring people to financial stability. It was a recognition that debt should never become an unbreakable chain, keeping individuals and families in permanent financial bondage. God’s design was always for people to experience freedom—not only spiritually but economically as well.
So, what does financial mercy look like in today’s world? How can Christians reflect God’s heart for economic justice in an age where lending, borrowing, and financial systems are more complex than ever?
Let’s explore how we can live out biblical principles of financial forgiveness and stewardship in practical ways.
📖 Related Article: How to Trust God with Your Finances
1. Practicing Ethical Financial Principles
One of the most significant ways Christians can embody biblical debt forgiveness is by engaging in fair, ethical financial practices. By making financial decisions rooted in ethics, fairness, and generosity, we honor God and contribute to a more just society.
2. Helping Those in Financial Need
In Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (NIV), God directs us:
“If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.”
This openhanded generosity is a foundational principle in biblical financial stewardship. It challenges us to see wealth not as something to hoard, but as a tool to bless others and serve God’s kingdom.
📖 Related Article: How to Trust God with Your Finances
3. Practicing Personal Financial Responsibility
We are called to use wisdom in how we manage our money so that we can live in freedom and help others do the same. Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) warns:
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”
This verse highlights the danger of living in perpetual debt—when we rely on credit for everyday needs, we place ourselves under the control of lenders.
So, how can we balance financial mercy with responsible stewardship?
- Seek to pay off debt and avoid unnecessary borrowing – While some debt (like a mortgage or student loans) may be necessary, we should strive to eliminate excessive consumer debt that keeps us financially enslaved.
- Budget wisely and live within our means – Stewardship isn’t just about making money; it’s about managing it in a way that allows for generosity, security, and financial peace. An intentional budget provides clarity and confidence.
- Trust God as our ultimate provider – Trusting God as our ultimate provider means recognizing that He supplies our daily bread, just as Jesus taught in the Lord’s Prayer. While financial planning is important, we must never place our hope in wealth alone, but rather in God’s unfailing provision (Philippians 4:19).
When we practice wise money management, we put ourselves in a position to extend financial mercy to others rather than becoming enslaved by financial burdens ourselves.
Just as God forgives our spiritual debts, He calls us to reflect that same grace in our financial lives. Not by ignoring responsibility, but by ensuring that money never becomes a tool of oppression, greed, or hopelessness. By managing money wisely and practicing generosity, we cultivate a healthy relationship with both God and others, aligning our finances with biblical principles.
By living out financial mercy and stewardship, we align our hearts with God’s will and create a legacy of generosity, justice, and faithfulness.
Before Asking Him to Forgive Us Our Debts, We Must Forgive Our Debtors
God’s forgiveness is limitless, and He calls us to reflect that same grace in every area of our lives—including our finances. Managing money in a way that honors God leads to both financial freedom and a deeper trust in His provision.
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