Yeah, Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Debt... Overcoming Financial Stress

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (KJV)

The Problem: Nope, that’s not a typo in the title. For most of us, that feels like the updated version of the verse in Psalm 23:4. It seems like we’re all haunted by the ghost of payments past, present, and future. We’ve got a permanent resident in the "accounts payable" column of our lives. We've strapped so much liability to our backs that just handling the basics feels like climbing Everest in flip-flops.

Between student loans that have been around longer than our favorite bands, the endless game of credit-card roulette, and mortgage rates going haywire, it’s a wonder any of us sleep. Tums might settle your stomach, but they do nothing for the agita (Italian slang for heartburn) in your checking account. Everything we think we want in life seems to have a hefty price tag, and the more we like it, the more zeros "magically" appear.

So, how do we keep up? We work harder, but rarely smarter. We get creative, cut a few corners, and become experts at robbing Peter to pay Paul (an old trick that’s still getting a major workout). We demand raises or snag a second job. And when the tank is truly empty, we summon our old friend, “Mr. Fantastic Plastic,” the rectangle, to alleviate the pain. We can’t seem to leave home without him. We tell ourselves, "Hey, I deserve a little treat!" as if we're a golden retriever who just learned to shake hands.

Let's face it: marketing departments spend millions figuring out how to make us spend billions. We're running faster and faster on the hamster wheel of diminishing returns, and the scenery isn't changing. We're trying to bargain with resources we don't even have—a little something called OPM (Other People's Money).

But here’s the scary part. When we are financially stretched, our standards start to sag, and our moral compass begins to wobble like a broken top. Before we know it, we've tossed our eternal soul onto the poker table to cover our losses without even realizing it.

Let me be clear: our soul is immortal, that's a given. The real negotiation is about its final destination. We're teetering on the edge of spiritual bankruptcy, about to default on our most precious asset. And the saddest part? Most of us don't even see the risk until we're brutally blindsided by a collection notice we never saw coming. That is, unless someone shows us a completely different payroll system.

Do you need a primer on overcoming financial stress? OK. How about this one? "Seek First the Kingdom of God." This is the core command, the re-ordering of our entire life's navigation system. In a world that screams at us to "seek first a better credit score," "seek first the promotion," or "seek first the bigger house," Jesus presents a radical alternative.

What does it mean to "seek"? This isn't a casual search, like looking for misplaced car keys. The original Greek implies a deliberate, continuous, all-consuming pursuit. It's about setting your life's compass, your primary ambition, in line with God's agenda.

What is the "Kingdom of God"? It’s not just a future destination. It is God's rule and reign breaking into our reality right now. To seek His kingdom is to actively desire His will to be done in our lives, our homes, our communities, and our world. It means prioritizing His values—justice, mercy, righteousness, peace, and love—above our own.

Now, let's examine the contrasting kingdom that most of us are encouraged to build: The Kingdom of Debt and Disparity. It's a kingdom built on credit, fueled by comparison, and governed by fear and anxiety.

The Vicious Cycle: We see the financial disparity around us. Some appear to have it all, while others struggle to survive. We fear being in the latter group, so we strive, we work longer hours, we take on debt to acquire the things we believe will give us security or status. We truly walk "through the valley of the shadow of debt." This endless pursuit is the very definition of not seeking God's kingdom first. We are mindlessly seeking the kingdom of self-preservation.

The Spiritual Cost: The true disparity isn't just in our bank accounts; it's in our souls. The debt we carry isn't just financial; it's also a spiritual burden. It occupies our thoughts, steals our sleep, and keeps our focus squarely on the temporary, earthly ledger sheet. We become enslaved to the very things we think will set us free. Hear me, my friends. A life spent anxiously pursuing material things is a life robbed of peace. I’ve been there, done that, and got the T-shirt.  

The Promise: "And All These Things Will Be Added to You." This is the promise that follows the command, but it's often misunderstood. It’s a promise of provision, not opulence. Jesus had just finished telling people not to worry about food, drink, or clothing—the necessities of life. The promise of "all these things" is a promise of sufficiency. It's God saying, "You focus on My agenda, and I'll take care of your needs." It is not a divine formula for winning the lottery. It's an invitation to trust in God as our Provider, not our portfolio.

Freedom from Anxiety: The real gift that is "added" isn't just the material provision; it's the freedom from the worry about it. When your primary pursuit is eternal, your anxiety about the temporary begins to fade. The weight of debt might still exist on paper, but it loses its power over your heart and mind. You find a peace that no financial statement can give or take away.

So here’s the bottom line. Seeking the Kingdom of God first is the ultimate debt-relief program for the soul. It breaks the cycle of consumerism by changing our "wants" into contentment. It addresses financial disparity at its root, calling us to be agents of justice and generosity rather than anxious accumulators.

When we are consumed with seeking God, our perspective shifts. We stop asking, "How can I get more?" and start asking, "How can I be a better steward of what I have for Your glory, Lord?" We move from a mindset of scarcity and fear to one of abundance and trust.

It’s a powerful truth and a beautiful theme for this devotional. In a world drowning in financial advice, this ancient wisdom offers the only truly liberating path to solvency—both for our finances and our souls.

We always have a choice between life and death. But if you compare the two scriptures below, the best option becomes pretty apparent.

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (KJV)

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (KJV)