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Debt Eliminationm Secured
This was a request from a reader. How does a Christian receive
credit debt counseling? Well I think we pray, simple as that. We
can look at scripture but did they have credit cards back then?
I do not remember reading as Jesus arrived to the village he used
his Credit card to secure his room and meal. However I do think
the principals for dealing with money have always existed in scripture.
“Neither shall you desire your neighbor's house, or field,
or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs
to your neighbor." This isn't just about being a good neighbor
it's about not being envious of other's possessions and trying to
live above your means. This was the original advice against keeping
up with the Joneses.
Here is the scenario the average American has $8,500.00 of credit
card debt, $10,000 in other debts and whatever your mortgage on
the house is. Half of us only make our minimum payments and bankruptcies
are on the rise every year and this includes Christians. What does
a Christian pray for? Guidance.
I envision Christ’s message as one of discipline and the ability
to follow what is right about oneself and God. In that setting being
in debt, poor and suffering does not make sense. We need to pray
for guidance on what to do with our spending habits. We make more
money now, or have the potential to, than at anytime in history.
There are more millionaires now than ever before. This is a good
thing because with great wealth comes the opportunity to help more
people.
It is not the inflow of money that is the challenge it is the outflow,
we are convinced to spend too much. I compare this to the times
so many people tried to convince Christ that his path was the wrong
one. Did he listen? Luckily for us he did not. Do you and I listen
to the people that would have us spend every dime we have and a
little bit more? Yes, many of us do, and we suffer for it. We fall
for the old illusion that what we need lies outside of ourselves.
Look at your financial picture and see what it says, if your church
needed a measly $1000 to do good work, could you give it? If not
it is time to pray to learn how to listen to your heart and not
the advertising companies that want you to spend all your money.
There is that small voice that says to you, “you do not need
this wide screen TV or the new stove. This is not what makes you
a man or woman in Christ’s eyes.” Then there is a much
larger voice, with lights and color telling you, “Yes you
do need the TV. You deserve it.” Again you must use your faith
and inner strength and resist. This is the only way to get to financial
independence. Think of the good you could choose to do with an abundance
of money.
I feel from my studies that we are not meant to suffer, we are meant
to love God, our fellow person and ourselves. Some people do not
agree with me and think that anyway they can get a pile of money
is the right way. They give wealth a bad name, you can help a lot
more people with some carefully placed money and prayer than just
prayer.
Get your spending habits under control, consolidate your debts,
pay all consumer debts off to zero, get an emergency fund (enough
money to live on for three months), then start a small investment
fund. After that pay off the place you live in or go and buy a place
to live in, then start looking for ways to use some money in Christ’s
name. You will feel a lot better about yourself and you will be
able to help a lot of other Christians in the same boat by your
example. Good luck and may Christ be with you on this journey and
all others.
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