Have you ever had someone do something for you, only to feel like you’ve been saddled with a silent debt? They act like their help came from the goodness of their heart, but in the subtle, unspoken moments, their true intentions reveal themselves. Maybe it’s the way they treat your children, the burdens they conveniently leave for you to carry, or the responsibilities they suddenly expect you to take on.This is a common and often draining form of manipulation. The “favor” they extended wasn’t a gift; it was a transaction. And now, they’re expecting payment in the form of your time, your energy, and your self-sufficiency.But here’s the grace: you don’t owe them anything. The truth is, we all have our own burdens. We all have things we need to do for ourselves and our families. The people who place these unspoken expectations on others are often just deflecting their own responsibilities. They’re projecting a sense of entitlement because they feel like they’ve “done their part,” and now it’s someone else’s turn to carry the weight. As Galatians 6:5 reminds us, “For each one will have to carry his own load.”Instead of accepting this false debt, it’s a moment to stand firm. True help comes without strings. It’s a gift, not a loan. A person who truly wants to help will do so without expecting anything in return. And when they do, it’s a blessing to both of you.So, the next time someone tries to put their burdens on you under the guise of “help,” remember this: Their lack of action is not your problem. Their laziness is not your responsibility. It’s on them to get up, clean their own bathroom, do their own groceries, and take care of their own life. As Philippians 2:3–4 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”Do it for yourself, and do it for the higher power you believe in. The only debt you have is to be a good person, not to pay back someone who thinks they did you a favor.