Debt is the norm in America. Nearly every American household carries some kind of debt. As of December 2025, the average total debt (including credit card debt, car loans, student loans, mortgages, and other household debt) per household is $178,102. The sum total owed in the U.S. by consumers is a whopping $18.78 trillion.
Adding to the weight of personal debt is the enormous national debt, which has risen to approximately $39 trillion. America’s federal debts grew $88,000 every second over the past year.
We spend many hours of our lives stressing over our personal finances. Many of us spend time discussing the national debt, expressing our frustrations with its enormity, and seeking solutions. But this weekend is a time to put aside earthly concerns and instead think about a different kind of debt: our spiritual debt.
In Luke 7:36-50, a woman pours out her love for Jesus by washing his feet with her tears and anointing them with expensive perfume. In response to a Pharisees’ judgement of the woman, Jesus asked, “A creditor had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii, and the other 50. Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”
Simon, the Pharisee, answered that the one with the greater debt would love the creditor more. Jesus then said, “Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”
When we sin against God, we incur a debt that we can never pay. However, God sent His Son to die on a cross as payment for our sins and rise from the grave to grant eternal life to all who trust in Him.
God’s loving forgiveness should prompt us to forgive those who sin against us. Thus, we pray, “Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus tells a parable about a man whose debts are cancelled, but who then demands payment from a man who owes him. The man “owed him millions of dollars,” and because he could not pay, “his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.” The man begged for patience in paying his debt and the master “was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.”
However, the man whose millions of dollars of debt had been forgiven then went to a man who owed him a couple of thousands of dollars and demanded immediate payment.
When the king heard about this, he had the man brought before him and said, “‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?”
Then the king rescinded his forgiveness and sent the man to prison until he could pay his debt in full. According to Jesus, “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”
Jesus speaks clearly: God is merciful, He is forgiving, but He is also just. God forgives our enormous debt, our spiritual debt that we could never repay even if we spent all eternity trying. But if we harden our hearts against others and refuse to forgive them, God will treat us how we treat our brethren.
Our debt was not simply erased, but it was paid for with the precious blood of God’s own Son when He died on the cross, although He was perfect and blameless.
Not only does God forgive our sins, but He invites us to become heirs to His Kingdom, to be adopted as sons and daughters.
Good Friday reconciled the account. Easter restored the relationship. Because Christ died, our sins are forgiven when we call on His name. Because Christ rose from the grave, our orphaned hearts find home.
