Early in 2007, during the Alberta housing boom, my wife Nicole and I bought our first apartment. Just eight months later, we sold it, clearing a profit of $50,000. Roughly $70,000 in today's economy. Feeling pretty smart, we moved up to a townhouse, reinvested the profit, and then decided to take a line of credit out for renovations. It was my doing. I was convinced that we were going to upgrade and flip the home and make a mint.
Well, not long after that, I suddenly got in a car accident. And even though I had insurance, I had to put the deductible on my line of credit. Well, actually on my credit card, which rolled over onto the line of credit, all because we were sinking everything we had into the rentals. Well, not long after that, our condo board contacted us and issued a special assessment of $10,000 for new windows and doors on every unit. Now, our windows and doors were fine, but the bylaws stated that every unit had to comply to the special assessment. When the bill came due, once again, it went straight onto that line of credit.
Then, believe it or not, I know this is crazy, but I got into a second car accident. I know, it seems unbelievable, but it's true. The insurance agent told me that it would be cheaper to pay out of pocket than to watch my premiums skyrocket over the next five years. So, it was another massive bill landed on that line of credit. Over these events, the Alberta market just kept booming. Every week, we'd hear about houses selling for way over asking, even being caught up into bidding wars. And I kept telling myself, this townhouse will flip, and it would pay off everything.
But then the bottom fell out. In mid-2008, housing sales froze and prices started dropping. Within a couple of months, our townhouse was worth less than what we still owed on the mortgage. And on top of that, our credit was maxed out with no idea how we were ever going to pay it off. To make matters worse, Nicole was pregnant with our first son, and I had actually just accepted my first pastoral call as a youth pastor in Alaska. Now, let me tell you, the anxiety was intense. The stress in that moment was bad.
Welcome to Mountain View Church. If this is your first time watching or listening, we'd love to connect with you at mountainview.church slash connect or on social media at Mountain View White Horse. My name's Jeremy, and today we're calling out the obvious, that stress is bad. As you just heard from my own story, I know what it feels like when debt piles on top of an already stressful life. Life is hard enough, we all know, but added anxiety of debt, it can be crushing.
And so this is week two of our teaching series, Making Change. We're learning how to choose a better way to live. Last week, we talked about choosing simplicity and finding contentment. And today, we're talking about choosing margin in our finances and finding peace. Today, we're going to be reading from the book of Luke, chapter 16, verses 1 through 13. You can grab a Bible in the seat in front of you, or you can use a Bible app as well. So we're going to be starting in chapter 16, verse 1.
So summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, How much do you owe my master? He said, a hundred measures of oil. He said to him, take your bill and sit down quickly and write fifty. Then he said to another, and how much do you owe? He said, a hundred measures of wheat. He said to him, take your bill and write eighty. The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness, for the sons of the world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will you entrust to you?
In the Gospel accounts, we find that Jesus speaks about money and possessions constantly. It's likely because the desire to accumulate wealth is such a trap for the human heart. How we interact with money often reveals who or what we truly trust in. It exposes our motives, it tests our allegiances, and Jesus knew that money isn't just about coins or assets. It's like a mirror for our souls. If we're constantly chasing it, that reveals where our security lies. If we're constantly clinging tightly to it, that shows where we're most afraid or what we're afraid to lose.
But when we're willing to use it for God's purposes, that reveals who our real master is. We submit and surrender to him. Now, we've already established that stress is bad and debt makes things worse. But you're not stuck. Jesus offers a path forward that isn't complicated. And yet, depending on your situation, it might be costly. He can help you create financial margin in your life, but it will require trust and even some sacrifice. But in the end, you'll find the margin to think and pray over your finances and then obey God when he calls you to give, to serve, or to save.
Choosing margin isn't magic and it's not an overnight fix. It's like a posture of stewardship that creates space for peace, faith, and generosity. With that in mind, let's walk through Jesus' parable in Luke 16. Jesus begins with a statement, there was a rich man who had a manager and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager. The manager knows he's finished, so he comes up with a plan. I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.
In other words, he's too weak for hard labor and too proud to ask for charity, so he schemes a way to secure his future. He starts calling in his master's debtors one by one. To the first, he asks, how much do you owe my master? He said, 100 measures of oil. He said to him, take your bill and sit down quickly and write 50. Then he asked another, and how much do you owe? He said, 100 measures of wheat. He said to him, take your bill and write 80. Can you imagine this? Imagine the debtor's surprise. They must have thought they were getting the deal of a lifetime. But then suddenly there's a plot twist.
The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. Notice how the master isn't praising dishonesty, but he is recognizing the manager's quick thinking. The manager acted decisively when the pressure was on. Then Jesus presses the lesson home. One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much. And one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
Then Jesus locks in the core principle behind this entire parable. He says, no servant can have two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Jesus couldn't have been clearer. Money is never just about money. It's always about a test of trust and allegiance. At the end of the day, money will either serve us as a tool or it will master us as an idol. It becomes a point of worship. And that's why this parable matters so much to us right now. It forces us to stop and ask, who's really in charge of my life? Who gets my loyalty? Is it God or my money?
Now, last week, we saw how Jesus' parable was supported by Old Testament wisdom literature. This week, we find similar support from the book of Proverbs. Let's walk through a few of them. From Proverbs 22, we read, the borrower is the slave of the lender. From Proverbs 21, we read, the plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. From Proverbs 25, we read, a man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. And from Proverbs 3, which is a foundational principle for life,
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce. According to Proverbs, our finances tell a story about trust and planning and discipline and even worship. Too often, we put our trust in money instead of God. We rush ahead without a plan or we let our impulses call the shots. But God calls us to choose margin, to pause, to wait on him, and to let him shape our financial future. Now, what does this look like in our everyday world? I'd like to unpack a couple of examples from our modern Western culture, starting with situation A, which I will call the snowball of credit card debt.
First, the invisible trap. You swipe for small things, groceries, gas, that must-have gadget, and it feels manageable. Most Canadian credit cards charge an annual interest rate of 20 to 25%, and interest compounds daily if you carry a balance. Overspending $250 per week adds up to about $1,083 in a month. What feels like pocket change in that moment can quietly snowball into a major burden. Now, here's the brutal truth. If you carry a balance of 20% APR and only make the minimum payment, about 3% of the balance, or $10, whichever is higher,
you'll barely touch the principle. At that rate, balances can linger. That, quote, manageable overspend of $250 per week becomes about $13,000 in charges over the year. Add interest, and you're looking at $15,400 by the year's end. In just 12 months, what felt manageable has now locked up your future, limited your peace, and your choices. Your margin's gone. But here's the better path forward.
Let's assume you already have $6,000 on that card at 20% APR. If you redirect that same $250 a week or $1,083 per month toward the payoff, you'd be debt-free in about six months, paying only about $350 in interest. That means by the end of the year, instead of still being buried in payments, you'd also have the second half of that year to start saving. In just one year, that same money that once kept you trapped could set you free and give you a fresh start. Which brings us to the brighter future.
Keep sending that $250 a week to your future, and by year's end, you could have another $6,000 in savings. From there, if you kept going, investing steadily at a conservative 7% return, your diligence could grow into about $187,000 in 10 years, or $564,000 in 20 years, or $1.32 million in 30 years. That same $250 a week that once shrank your margin can now expand to give you freedom. And notice how the value of $250 a week hasn't changed. You changed. You changed how you see it and how you use it. Instead of that $250 per month putting you into bondage, it has become an engine for future margin.
Now, let's move on to situation B, what I call the drain of vehicle loans. Let's start back at the invisible trap. In Canada, new car loans typically carry interest rates between 3% and 8%, depending on credit and terms. And used car loans often fall into similar ranges. Now, it feels manageable because the payment is stretched over years, but what looks affordable each month hides a much higher total cost. Just like credit cards, the trap with vehicle loans is that the small monthly payment hides the real price tag.
Okay, time for the brutal truth. Imagine financing a $48,000 truck at 8% over five years. By the time the loan is finished, you'll have paid about $58,300 in total, over $10,000 in interest. And that's before depreciation even kicks in. New vehicles in Canada typically lose 20 to 30% of their value in the first year, and by year five, they've usually dropped 45 to 65% in value. So that same truck might be worth 20 to $26,000 after five years.
You've paid about $58,000, but you're left with something worth less than half of that, sapping your finances and your margin. Interest plus depreciation doesn't just drain your wallet. It steals years of financial freedom. And while some people say that that's just the cost of owning a reliable vehicle, the data proves that statement incorrect. Here's the better path forward. According to Canadian averages, buying a five to 10 year old used vehicle avoids the steepest depreciation curve and can still provide years of dependable service. By paying cash, you skip more than $10,000 in loan interest and avoid losing 45 to 65% of the vehicle's value in that five years. Insurance costs are also lower for older vehicles that you own in full, further protecting your margin. A smaller, wiser purchase keeps you on the road without chaining you to years of debt.
Now, reliability doesn't have to require debt. A little research on the real long-term costs can create a lot of margin, which leads you to the brighter future on vehicles. Instead of financing that $48,000 truck, brand new at 8%, and ending up paying $58,300 over five years, imagine buying a reliable five to 10-year-old version of the same truck with cash. You'd avoid over $10,000 in loan interest, skip the steepest years of depreciation, and pay less for insurance. Rather than pouring nearly $58,300 into loan payments, your main cost would be maintenance and repairs, about $1,400 to $1,500 per year, or roughly $7,000 total in that five years of ownership. That's a difference of more than $51,000 of margin to be redirected to saving or to giving and investing in God's kingdom.
You see, that same truck could drain your margin or it could protect it. Granted, you're not getting a brand new truck. I get it. But with the margin you've saved, one day you might be able to buy a brand new truck with cash. And at the end of your life, the difference will be centered on the choice you made, not the truck you own. So where does this all leave us? I realize that those scenarios might have felt painful. Depending on your situation, it could have hurt a little bit. Maybe I was putting you on the spot.
If you're feeling the squeeze of conviction, please don't tune out. Don't turn the audio or video off yet. This isn't meant to be a shame talk. This is actually a rescue talk. I get it. Stress is loud. Debt is loud. Fear and anxiety are loud. But Jesus is Lord. The core principle in Jesus' parable holds true. No servant can serve two masters. You cannot serve God and money. You see, at some point, we have to make a choice. Which master are we going to serve? Will we cling to money and live in anxiety, or will we surrender to God and live in freedom?
God didn't just send Jesus to teach us about wise money management. He sent him for a greater purpose, to set us free from sin, which is actually the root cause of debt, stress, and anxiety. Jesus carried that sin to the cross. He paid for it with his life and then rose again three days later to offer us freedom, to offer freedom to anyone who would trust in him. It's one thing to listen to and even admire the teachings of Jesus, but the fullness of Jesus is found in surrendering our lives to him. And so I would encourage you to make Jesus Christ your Lord and master today, not just over your finances, but over your entire life. Place your trust in him as the one God sent to follow. Receive eternal life where true wealth is found in his kingdom that lasts forever, far past all this money and stuff that we chase today. And so if you're ready to surrender your financial and spiritual life to God, would you pray this prayer with me?
Dear God, I admit that I have sinned and too often let money, debt, and worry control my life. I believe that you sent your son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sin and that you raised him from the dead to give me true freedom. Today, I turn away from serving money as my master and I choose to trust you instead. Please forgive me, fill me with your Holy Spirit, and help me follow you as Lord and King in every part of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Well, we've come to our application, so it's time for that weekly action plan. Just like last week, I'm going to walk you through five action steps. After each one, you can pause the video or audio, wherever you're at, and take a moment to reflect and write or type. So pull out that pen and paper or open a notes app on your mobile device, and we're going to get started. Number one, reflect on last week's spending. List three unnecessary purchases or unplanned expenses.
Think back over your past seven days. Where did money slip away without much thought? Was it eating out, impulse buys, or convenience spending? Or was it an unexpected cost you weren't ready for? Naming it helps you see patterns and make changes. Number two, cut one expense. Cancel a subscription, skip a habit, or delay a want. What will you cut this week to create margin?
Maybe it's dropping a streaming service, saying no to daily coffee runs, or holding off on a purchase you don't truly need right now. Keep it simple and realistic. A specific item so you can actually follow through. Number three, have one honest conversation. Book a finance chat with someone you trust. Who do you need to talk to about money this week? Maybe it's a coffee date with your spouse, a family member, or a trusted friend. Ask them to be honest about how you handle finances and be willing to listen. Sometimes that outside perspective is exactly what we need to break old habits.
Number four, set a long-term goal and make it a smart goal. Your goal should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-sensitive. Write down one debt you could start tackling or one savings goal that you could begin. Don't just say, I want to save more. Say, I will save $500 in the next three months. A clear goal keeps you focused and gives you something to celebrate when you hit that goal. Number five, create four financial freedom prayers. Surrender your debt based on Proverbs 22.7.
Surrender your plans based on Proverbs 21.5. Surrender self-control based on Proverbs 25.28. And surrender your resources based on Proverbs 3.9. Let these four prayers guide you this week. Write them down and pray them daily as you work through the other action items. Trust God to build margin and freedom in your life.
Now, stress is bad. I get it. I've been there. I know it. But if you're experiencing stress, you're not stuck. Jesus can set you free from sin, including any debt you might be in, including the master of money that seems to be tempting you all the time. Today's the day. Choose margin and walk in the peace of Jesus. Now, as we close, I would like to pray for you as you walk through this week and take on those action items. Dear Father, thank you for the people who are watching or listening to this message.
Some of them already have financial freedom, and if that's them, this is just a good reminder to put into practice the biblical principles related to money, and may they continue to do so, and may they be generous and look forward to the future. But some people who have listened to this message, they're in the pit of debt, and you know I've been there, and I praise you, and I'm thankful that you helped us get out of it, and that I'm not there anymore. But Father, I pray that you would remind them it is possible. Freedom is possible. It takes a lot of work, a lot of sacrifice. It's a long game, but it's possible. Help them take these steps seriously, implement them, and may you walk with them so that they might experience financial freedom where they have margin week after week as they live and as you provide for their needs and maybe even a lot of their wants. And out of that margin that they have, may they choose to give generously to your kingdom work and to serve others. And we ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Thank you for watching or listening. If you're new or ready to connect with our church community, please visit mountainview.church slash connect or send us a direct message at Mountain View Whitehorse. If today's message was helpful, please consider subscribing to the YouTube channel or following us on social. Next steps is this Sunday, September 14th at 1230 p.m. If you plan on attending, please RSVP as lunch will be provided and we need to know numbers. We'd love to have you join us as we share more about the mission and vision of Mountain View and how you can get more involved. Next, parents, don't forget that...
Our Basecamp children's program has an online option as well. Video lessons and activities are available for download each and every week at mountainview.church slash Basecamp. And for students out there, our youth group meets every Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. It's a great place to grow in your faith, build friendships with people your age, and have a lot of fun. So plan on coming out. Next week in Making Change, we'll learn why giving is good and that by choosing generosity, we can experience greater joy and fulfillment in life. Please come back and bring someone with you. See you then.
If you prayed to receive Jesus today or would like to connect with our church community, visit mountainview.church and click the connect link. If this podcast and radio ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider partnering with us or making a tax-deductible donation at mountainview.church. Thanks for listening to Mountain View Church Audio. Join us next week for more Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City of Whitehorse UConn.