Did you know that God can supernaturally get you out of debt?
He is not a genie waiting on us hand and foot, but He is a good and faithful God who will give us abundantly more than we could ever ask if we turn to Him. And I believe that if you make one step toward God, He will take two or three steps toward you.
Our world is so oppressed by personal and business debt that some of us are overwhelmed with where to start.
I am here to tell you that God wants us freed from bondage. And He will guide and help us beyond expectation.
However, it will require active participation! Don’t just sit around and wait for a big check to come in the mail; take action.
With that in mind, let’s look at a couple of circumstances of God’s faithfulness, by way of human obedience, that freed two people of debt.
Biblical Circumstances Where God Released Debt
I.A Widow Was Supernaturally Delivered From Debt (2 Kings 4:1-7)
Our financial decisions will impact the generations after us and the people we leave behind.
This story is about a woman who, after her husband dies, was left to care for his debt.
Now, she is in debt by means of her husband’s choices, with a family, and doesn’t know what to do.
A. Identify An Asset (Verse 2)
“So Elisha said to her, ‘What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?’ And she said, ‘Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.’”
2 Kings 4:2, NKJV
This woman seeks counsel from the prophet Elisha, and he asks her, “What do you have?”
To which she responds, “All I have is oil!”
Let me encourage someone: Your breakthrough is in all that you have.Your miracle very well might be found in your house!
Look around; identify something around you that you don’t need anymore.
Maybe a six-year loan on a fancy, high-tech car is unnecessary: Take it back.
Perhapsyou don’t need a closet full of clothes that you don’t fit into anymore: Sell them.
I know that you own things that may have sentimental value or are things you worked hard to have. But I am telling you today, identify the asset that will be useful in getting out of debt and act on it.
And here is a hard truth: the key to your breakthrough and miracle might be in something precious to you!
So what do you value more? Things or freedom?
B. Develop the Asset (Verse 3-6)
“Then he said, ‘Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors – empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.’ So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, ‘Bring me another vessel.’”
Here we see the widow cleaning and neatening her asset. Let us take note of this example and make attractive what we have.
God will prove Himself faithful as we surrender the things that once were ours. And He will do just as He did for the widow: He will keep the oil flowing well past the capacity of our vessels!
We are challenged to release our valuables so that they can help us break away from debt!
If there is one important setback I have experienced over my lifetime, it is that we tend to hold on to things until they no longer have value. Then, when it comes to getting rid of it, you don’t want it, but neither does anyone else!
Listen, you have to get rid of things while they still have value, are attractive, and are wanted by someone else.
C. Sell the Asset (Verse 7)
“Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.’”
God is the Giver of all good things according to His purpose. Did you know it is His will for you not to be tangled in debt? Some of you own a house, and for that, you should be proud! However, if selling that house will help you get out of debt, sell the house! Use the resources God has given you, and just as with the widow, believe God will open doors for you. Places where oil will flow and generations will be set free!
Believe it!
II. Peter’s Tax Debt Was Supernaturally Paid (Matthew 17:24-27)
“When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?’ Peter said to Him, ‘From strangers.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.’”
Matthew 17:24-27, NKJV
A. His Deliverance Was Connected to His Skills
I love this story. Do you know why?
Jesus told Peter to go to the sea. And what significance does that hold?
Peter was training to become a fisherman. What Jesus was telling Peter was, “Go to work!”
The same is for you and me today; we need to go and do what we are skilled to do.
As Peter did what he was skilled at, God provided his ability to pay the temple tax for himself and Jesus too!
Our jobs are a blessing. We have been gifted with talents and giftings to be used in the corporate world. However, it is two-fold. As we operate in our strengths, we earn income, which allows us to survive, save, and pay what we owe.
Can I be real with you? Most of you have elevated your standard of living right up to your level of income. And that’s why you are in trouble!God is putting the money you need for your breakthrough in the check you receive every two weeks – you just need to stop elevating your living!
When it comes down to it, all you need is a piece of money! (Verse 27)
B. His Deliverance Was Connected to His Obedience (verse 27)
When was the last time you remember being obedient to God?
And what is it that God has recently challenged you to do that you have not done yet?
I am here to encourage you to do what He told you to do.
I know you are struggling with paying cent by cent on your debt, and you honestly aren’t sure how it can be effective, but obedience, big or small, to God is the secret to receiving miracles from Him!
Commonalities in Both of These Circumstances
So what do both of these stories have in common?
I. Both Received the Word
They both got a word from God. Whether through the Bible, other people, or the Holy Spirit Himself, God still speaks today! And if you are unsure if God is speaking to you, let me encourage you; Godis using me to give you a word. Take these financial messages I have been sharing over this series and apply them to your life.
Embrace what you are hearing and implement it today.
II. They Obeyed the Word
The widow and Peter were obedient to God’s instructions and did as they were told.
The woman gathered the bottles and poured the oil into them.
Peter went down to the sea and pulled up the fish.
They heard His instructions, they obeyed the word, and God supernaturally blessed them.
So what is it that God is telling you to do?
To be blessed, you have to be a blessing. And to reap a harvest, you must plant a seed.
God wants to show you His power and might. Will you open your hands so He can bring a miracle to your finances?