Dr. Tan Tek Seng

DAILY REFLECTION

10 Feb 2026

“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”  
Proverbs 22:7 

Believers in the marketplace often face the challenge of fully trusting God’s provision. Rather than resting in His sufficiency, many turn to borrowing as a safety net to sustain their lifestyles or ambitions. Scripture, however, cautions us that debt can quietly become a form of bondage that restricts our freedom in Christ.

While debt may offer short-term relief, without careful stewardship and spiritual discernment it can entangle us in ongoing obligations that weigh heavily on our calling. What begins as a practical solution can gradually shape our decisions, limit our flexibility, and divert our focus from wholehearted service to God.

To avoid this trap, believers are called to cultivate both trust in God’s provision and discipline in financial decision-making. Living within our means is not deprivation—it is liberation. True freedom is not found in credit lines or accumulated possessions, but in the peace that comes from aligning our resources with God’s will and purposes.

When we choose to avoid debt, we preserve the freedom to respond to God’s call without fear, pressure, or distraction. Our stewardship then becomes a visible testimony of faith, declaring to the world that our confidence rests not in borrowed security, but in the faithful and unfailing provision of our Heavenly Father.

Proverbs 22:7 serves as both a sobering warning and a hopeful encouragement, guiding us to walk in financial freedom. When our hearts and businesses are free from debt, they remain fully devoted to the Kingdom purpose, empowering us to live and lead with integrity and faithfulness.

“Don't buy things you can't afford with money you don't have to impress people you don't like."