Debt is a reality that many of us face. Whether it’s credit card bills, personal loans, or household expenses, managing multiple debts can feel overwhelming. The stress that comes with trying to juggle various payments, all while supporting family and meeting daily needs, is something most of us can relate to. Enter the debt snowball strategy—a simple yet powerful approach to tackling debt that has proven effective for many, including Filipinos.

The debt snowball strategy is about focusing on paying off your smallest debt first, while making minimum payments on the others. Once the smallest debt is cleared, you move on to the next one, using the money you freed up from the first debt to make a bigger payment on the next. Like a snowball rolling downhill, your payments “snowball” and grow bigger as you go, eventually wiping out even your largest debts.

Here’s why this approach works so well for Filipinos:

1. Quick Wins Build Confidence

Many of us carry multiple small debts, from credit card balances to store loans and cash advances. These small debts may seem like a drop in the ocean compared to larger debts, but they can still feel like a constant burden. One of the biggest advantages of the snowball strategy is that it gives you quick wins by paying off the smallest debts first.

In our culture, debt can be stressful and carry social stigma, with people often feeling ashamed or embarrassed to talk about it. By eliminating small debts early, the snowball method provides a sense of relief and accomplishment. These quick wins build momentum and confidence, making the larger debts feel less overwhelming as you go.

2. Focus and Clarity

Managing multiple debts at once can be confusing. With so many monthly payments, interest rates, and deadlines to keep track of, it’s easy to lose focus. The snowball method simplifies debt management by allowing you to concentrate on one debt at a time. This focused approach is incredibly helpful for many of us who often juggle financial responsibilities, such as supporting extended family, paying for education, or helping with household bills.

Rather than spreading your finances thin and making small payments on all your debts, the snowball strategy provides clear direction. You know exactly which debt to prioritize, and each time you eliminate one, you can focus on the next.

3. Psychological Benefits Over Financial Calculations

Many financial experts recommend tackling the debt with the highest interest rate first, known as the “avalanche method.” While this may save money on interest in the long run, it’s not always the most effective strategy from a psychological perspective. For many, who often feel discouraged by their financial struggles, the emotional benefits of the snowball method can outweigh the purely mathematical savings of the avalanche approach.

The snowball method offers emotional satisfaction by providing small victories early on. These emotional wins can be highly motivating, particularly in a cultural context where financial stress can affect both individuals and families. The sense of progress encourages continued commitment to the debt repayment process, helping many stick to their plans longer.

4. Cultural Adaptability and Family Responsibilities

One of the unique aspects of Filipino culture is the emphasis on bayanihan, or helping others in times of need. Whether it’s helping with a relative’s medical bills, paying for a sibling’s education, or sending money back home as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), there is often a strong sense of financial responsibility toward family. This can make debt repayment even more difficult, as Filipinos frequently balance their own financial goals with their family’s needs.

The snowball strategy can be adapted to this cultural reality. By clearing out smaller debts first, Filipinos free up more cash flow to either tackle larger debts or meet urgent family needs without derailing their overall debt repayment plan. The flexibility of the snowball method allows for adjustments when sudden family expenses arise, without sacrificing long-term financial progress.

5. Developing Better Financial Habits

The process of focusing on one debt at a time under the snowball strategy helps build better financial habits. Many who adopt this method often become more mindful of their spending and saving behaviors. As the small debts disappear, the strategy encourages disciplined budgeting and tracking of expenses, which are crucial for long-term financial success.

This method also reinforces the importance of consistency. Instead of feeling paralyzed by the size of their total debt, Filipinos can focus on consistent, smaller victories, which naturally build the habit of financial responsibility.

6. Adaptability for Small and Large Debts

Many Filipinos carry a mix of small and large debts, ranging from personal loans to business financing. The snowball strategy is highly adaptable to this variety. Whether it’s a ?5,000 credit card balance or a ?300,000 personal loan, the snowball method provides a clear pathway to pay off both small and large debts.

As small debts are cleared, more financial resources become available to tackle the larger loans, without overwhelming the debtor. The snowball effect grows over time, making it easier to attack significant debts down the line.

The Right Strategy for Many of Us

The snowball strategy is particularly effective for us because it combines psychological motivation with practical financial management. In a culture where debt can be stressful and family responsibilities often take precedence, the snowball method offers a manageable and adaptable way to eliminate debt over time. It not only builds financial momentum but also empowers individuals to take control of their money, one step at a time.

For many of us, the debt snowball strategy is more than just a way to pay off debt—it’s a tool that provides hope, structure, and the confidence needed to break free from financial burdens. By focusing on small, achievable wins and building momentum, this strategy offers a practical solution to a common challenge many of us face today.

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

Seek first!

Personal finance can be overwhelming. From trying to save for the future, paying off debt, navigating investment options, and making sure there’s enough to cover daily expenses—it sometimes feels like a never-ending balancing act. But over the years, I’ve found a perspective that has brought me not only peace but also purpose in managing my finances, and it comes from Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

At first glance, this verse may not seem like it has much to do with money. But when I began applying it to how I handle my resources, everything changed.

Prioritizing God Over Money

I used to think financial security came from earning more, saving more, and investing wisely. While those are important, they became my central focus. My heart was consumed with anxiety over whether I had enough or if I was doing enough. Matthew 6:33 made me realize that my priorities were out of order. Instead of trusting in money, I needed to trust in God.

What this verse taught me is that my primary focus shouldn’t be on my bank account, but on seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness. When I realigned my priorities—putting God first—I discovered a deeper sense of peace in how I handled my money. This shift wasn’t about neglecting my financial responsibilities but about reordering them under God’s guidance.

Making Faith the Foundation of Financial Decisions

This change in focus impacted every aspect of how I manage my personal finances. First, it reminded me that everything I have comes from God. My income, savings, and even my ability to earn are blessings that He has entrusted to me. That understanding gave me a new sense of stewardship over my finances. My goal was no longer to accumulate wealth for myself, but to use what I had in ways that aligned with God’s purposes.

This led to tangible changes in how I budgeted and spent. For example, giving became a priority. Whether it was tithing, supporting charities, or helping others in need, I began to see giving as a way to partner with God in His work. Instead of feeling reluctant, I started giving cheerfully, knowing that God would continue to provide for me.

I also learned contentment. In a world that pushes us to want more, Matthew 6:33 reminds me that God will take care of my needs. I don’t need to chase after wealth or material things. This gave me the freedom to live more simply, to save with purpose, and to invest wisely but without obsession. I learned to trust that as long as I put God first, the rest would fall into place.

Freedom from Financial Anxiety

One of the biggest blessings of living out Matthew 6:33 in my personal finances has been freedom from worry. Like many people, I used to stress constantly about the future—whether I’d have enough for retirement or if an emergency would wipe out my savings. But this verse reminds me that God is my provider. If I seek Him first, He promises that all the things I need will be provided.

This doesn’t mean I live recklessly or ignore good financial habits. I still budget, save, and plan. But now, I do it with a sense of trust rather than fear. I don’t have to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders, because I know God is in control.

A Deeper Purpose for Wealth

Finally, Matthew 6:33 has given me a new sense of purpose in how I view wealth. I no longer see money as an end goal, but as a tool to accomplish something greater—God’s kingdom work. My financial decisions are guided by this higher purpose. Whether it’s supporting ministries, investing in opportunities that align with my values, or simply being generous to those around me, I now use my resources in a way that reflects God’s priorities.

In the end, Matthew 6:33 isn’t just a spiritual verse for me; it’s a guiding principle for how I live and manage my finances. When I seek God first, everything else falls into place. My financial life is no longer driven by fear or the pursuit of wealth, but by faith, trust, and a desire to honor God with all He’s given me.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the demands of personal finance, I encourage you to take a step back and consider what it means to seek first God’s kingdom. You might just find the peace and purpose you’ve been looking for in managing your money.

I always end my talks with this: Wealth and the ability to create wealth comes from the Lord and it is not for our own purpose but for His.

Scripture, as the Word of God, should shape my life and worldview because it is the ultimate source of truth, wisdom, and guidance, unlike other worldviews that are rooted in human reasoning or cultural trends.

Here’s why I should allow Scripture, rather than other worldviews, to form the foundation of my beliefs and actions:

1. Scripture is the Ultimate Truth

The Bible is the infallible Word of God, and it reveals the truth about who God is, who I am, and how I am to live. Other worldviews may offer partial truths or perspectives based on human thinking, but only Scripture gives me God’s perfect and absolute truth.

John 17:17 (ESV): “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

God’s Word is the truth that sets me apart, guiding me toward holiness and shaping my understanding of the world around me.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Since all Scripture is God-breathed, I can trust it to teach, correct, and train me, equipping me for every good work in a way no human philosophy can.

2. Scripture Gives Me an Eternal Perspective

Other worldviews tend to focus on the temporary, but Scripture offers me an eternal perspective. It reminds me that my life is part of God’s bigger plan, one that stretches beyond the here and now. By focusing on Scripture, I gain a deeper understanding of my purpose and destiny in God’s eternal kingdom.

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV): “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

Everything around me may fade or change, but God’s Word remains eternal, giving me guidance that stands the test of time.

Matthew 24:35 (ESV): “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

The teachings and promises found in Scripture are everlasting, unlike worldly ideas that are temporary and fleeting.

3. Scripture Reveals the Path to Salvation

Through Scripture, I learn the way of salvation, something that no other worldview can provide. Only through the Bible do I come to know Jesus Christ as the way, the truth, and the life, and only through Him can I be reconciled to God.

Acts 4:12 (ESV): “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Other worldviews may offer moral teachings or spiritual practices, but only through Jesus, as revealed in Scripture, can I find true salvation.

John 14:6 (ESV): “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”

I follow Scripture because it shows me the only way to the Father—through Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection are the core message of the Bible.

4. Scripture Provides God’s Standard for Morality

In a world where moral standards often shift, Scripture gives me an unchanging standard of right and wrong, based on God’s perfect character. Other worldviews may rely on relative or cultural ethics, but Scripture gives me a clear and objective moral compass.

Psalm 119:105 (ESV): “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

God’s Word lights my way, showing me how to live in a world full of moral confusion and uncertainty.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

I should not lean on my own understanding or the understanding of worldly philosophies. Instead, I trust in God’s wisdom as revealed in Scripture to guide my decisions.

5. Scripture Transforms My Life

The Bible has the power to change me from the inside out. Other worldviews may offer temporary fixes or superficial self-improvement, but only Scripture, through the Holy Spirit, can truly transform my heart and renew my mind.

Romans 12:2 (ESV): “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Rather than being shaped by the values and philosophies of this world, I need to be transformed by the renewing of my mind through God’s Word.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Scripture is not just words on a page or merely a narrative —i t is living and active, capable of convicting and transforming me at the deepest levels of my being.

6. Scripture Provides Divine Wisdom

While other worldviews may offer human wisdom, Scripture gives me divine wisdom that comes directly from God. It reveals God’s perspective on life, relationships, work, and every aspect of existence, enabling me to live in a way that pleases Him.

James 1:5 (ESV): “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

When I lack wisdom, I can turn to God’s Word for guidance and understanding, trusting that He will generously provide the wisdom I need.

Proverbs 2:6 (ESV): “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

True wisdom comes from God, and Scripture is the primary way He imparts that wisdom to me, helping me navigate life with clarity and discernment.

7. Scripture Grounds Me in God’s Sovereignty

Other worldviews often focus on human ability, autonomy, or cultural ideals. Scripture, however, reminds me that God is sovereign over all things. By allowing Scripture to shape my worldview, I align myself with God’s will and purpose rather than being driven by human-centered philosophies.

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

While I may have my own plans and ideas, it is God’s purpose, as revealed in Scripture, that ultimately prevails.

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

I am called to be wary of worldly philosophies that may sound appealing but are empty and deceitful. Instead, I should remain rooted in the truth of Christ as revealed in Scripture.

I should allow only Scripture, and not other worldviews, to shape my life. While other worldviews may change, fail, or fall short, the Word of God stands forever, giving me the firm foundation I need to live a life that pleases Him.