“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” — Luke 12:15
In an age of instant gratification, getting what we want has never been easier, even if we can’t afford it. But as “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services become increasingly popular, they’re quietly reshaping our relationship with money, debt, and even contentment. Let’s explore how these programs work, why they’re spiritually and financially dangerous, and how Scripture invites us into a better way.
What Is Buy Now, Pay Later?
Originally used for large purchases like furniture or electronics, BNPL services now allow consumers to split nearly any purchase into multiple payments—even cheeseburgers. DoorDash, for example, lets customers finance their food in four installments. The convenience may seem harmless, but it can mask deeper issues.
Companies like Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, Zip, Sezzle, and PayPal offer these options at checkout. According to Experian, more than 80% of U.S. shoppers have used BNPL. The ease is attractive, but the long-term impact can be devastating.
BNPL makes it seem like you’re not going into debt, but that’s exactly what’s happening. Small recurring payments across multiple platforms add up fast, leading to overdraft fees, financial stress, and, in many cases, high interest rates—some as high as 36% for missed or extended payments.
A $60 DoorDash meal split into four $15 payments doesn’t seem bad—until you do it for every meal. Or take a $3,000 couch bought with a BNPL plan: one missed payment, and that couch could ultimately cost $8,000 due to fees and interest.
Scripture’s Warnings About Debt
The Bible doesn’t shy away from warning us about the dangers of debt. Proverbs 22:7 tells us, “The borrower is the slave of the lender.” Debt isn’t just a financial issue—it can become an emotional and spiritual burden, dividing our attention and devotion.
In Luke 12:15, Jesus reminds us that “life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Yet BNPL feeds the lie that more stuff equals more satisfaction. Instead of trusting God to provide, we try to manufacture comfort and control through impulsive spending.
Why are we tempted to buy now and pay later? Often, it’s not out of need, but out of insecurity, impatience, or discontentment. Paul models a better path in Philippians 4:11–13: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content...I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
True contentment doesn’t come from a checkout screen—it comes from trusting the Lord to provide, even when the budget feels tight.
A Better Way: Practical and Spiritual Wisdom
So, how do we resist the pull of BNPL and grow in godly contentment?
Practically: