Jack Hibbs Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: I Owe You
Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Jack Hibbs
Podcast: Jack Hibbs Podcast (jackhibbs.com)

Episode Overview

In this episode titled "I Owe You," Jack Hibbs explores the Christian imperative of loving others as the foundation of authentic faith. Drawing from Leviticus 19:18, 1 John 4:18-19, and Romans 13:8-10, Hibbs contrasts biblical love with cultural misdefinitions, addresses misconceptions about debt, and challenges listeners to examine the sincerity of their faith. The episode is characterized by directness, urgency, and Hibbs' signature blend of bold biblical application and personal storytelling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Redefining Love – God's Definition vs. The World’s

• Highlight: Hibbs criticizes the cultural slogan “Love is love,” emphasizing that only God defines true love because He is love.
  • Quote: “The love of the world says things like this. Love is love. That is stupid statement. You don’t even know what you’re saying... The Bible says He is love.” (03:39)
• God's love is intrinsic, perfect, and visible throughout Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—even in acts we may not understand (such as the Flood or judgment in Revelation).

2. Scriptural Foundations for Christian Love

• Leviticus 19:18: The command to love your neighbor as yourself, with the ultimate authority for the command being: “I am the Lord.”
  • “God says you are commanded to love one another… Because I am the Lord.” (01:28)
• 1 John 4:18-19: Perfect love casts out fear; love, untainted by fear, is the evidence of God’s presence.
  • “If you’re really loved, it’s void of torment... We love Him, that is God, because He first loved us.” (03:15)

3. Love as the Mark of True Faith

• The episode’s title, “I Owe You,” refers to the biblical “law of love”—the only perpetual “debt” Christians should carry is love toward one another. (Romans 13:8)
  • “I owe you the law of love… What qualifies you… is if I am loving, biblical loving—not the love of the world, which is sick and perverse.” (04:15)
• Love, not religious activity or heritage, proves genuine faith.
• Hibbs challenges “cultural Christianity,” urging listeners to become “Christ followers,” not simply “Christians” by tradition or geography.

4. Clarifying Romans 13:8 – Debt and Love

• Common misconception: The verse “Owe no one anything except to love one another” is often (mis)used to teach that Christians should have no financial debt.
• Hibbs explains:
  • The verse is an accounting term focused on relational “accounts”—not strictly a prohibition on loans or credit.
    • “It doesn’t mean you cannot take out a loan to buy a house… or that you cannot own a credit card. It means don’t become indebted in a way that harms your relationships.” (06:45, 08:25)
• The key is to honor commitments and keep your word.
  • “Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Keep your word…” (10:33)
  • Debts—financial or otherwise—should never create division or tension among believers.

5. Practical Wisdom on Finances

• Using credit cards isn't unbiblical if managed responsibly—pay them off monthly; use them for rewards, not impulsive spending or “gaming the system.”
  • “Don’t use a credit card unless you can make money using their credit card. Use their money, not yours.” (13:14)
  • Hibbs relates a practical story about buying a truck battery and using a credit card for points.

6. The Heart of Christian Generosity and Integrity

• The principle extends: if you make a promise—at work, at home, or in marriage—keep your word unless truly unavoidable circumstances arise.
  • “God expects you and I to make those payments. It’s a very important thing.” (09:46)

7. The Test of Genuine Love

• Loving others is a spiritual struggle, but a necessary one. If you’re not at least struggling to grow in love for others, you should question your faith.
  • “If you are not struggling to love people more… Stop playing the game.” (17:13)
• Before faith, hatred was easy; after encountering God’s love, hearts are changed.
  • “When before I was a Christian, it was… I not only hate them, I am so happy to hate them. ... And then God loved us, and He changed our heart.” (17:44)

8. Good Works Flow from Love, Not Obligation

• Serving, praying, or giving isn’t the proof of salvation—it’s the motivation behind those actions.
  • “Good works are important when they are in their place. If you put good works ahead of loving God, you’re messed up.” (19:45)
  • Using the parable of the Good Samaritan, Hibbs underscores the priority of compassion over mere ritual or rule-following.
  • Memorable personal story: Hibbs recounts an experience at a pizza restaurant, highlighting that acts enveloped in genuine love leave lasting impact, much more than skillful service alone.
    • “When something’s packaged in love, man, that goes a long way.” (20:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On cultural Christian assumptions:

  • “So many people assume they’re Christians because they have an American passport… God knows nothing of it.” (05:45)

• On the true test of faith:

  • “What qualifies you… is if I am loving, biblical loving—not the love of the world, which is sick and perverse.” (04:36)

• On keeping one’s word:

  • “If you said you would do it, do it. And he [my dad] said, ‘I don’t care how much you have to suffer to keep your word. You do it.’ Listen, that’s biblical truth.” (10:25)

• On the struggle to love:

  • “Here’s the beautiful thing about it: I’m struggling to love people more because I know I should love them more. And so I’m asking God to help me love them more.” (17:16)

• On love covering all things spiritual:

  • “We must love God first. When you love God first and do good things, then those good things are accepted. Why? They’re packaged in love.” (20:11)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:28] – Leviticus 19:18 and the command to love
• [03:15] – 1 John 4:18-19 and “perfect love casts out fear”
• [04:15] – The idea of owing love: Romans 13:8-10
• [06:45] – Explaining “owe no one anything” and addressing financial misconceptions
• [10:25] – Personal story about keeping your word and integrity
• [13:14] – Practical wisdom: handling credit cards and personal finance
• [17:13] – Loving others as proof of a changed heart
• [19:45] – Good works vs. love; parable of the Good Samaritan
• [20:44] – Personal story: a waiter’s loving service

Conclusion

Jack Hibbs’ "I Owe You" is a direct, scriptural call to examine the authenticity of one’s faith through the lens of biblical love. Listeners are challenged to:

• Ditch shallow or cultural Christianity for genuine Christ-following,
• Care for relationships and honor all commitments,
• Let every action flow from love for God rather than mere duty.

In Hibbs’ words:
“We must love God first. When you love God first and do good things, then those good things are accepted… packaged in love.” (20:11)