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by Allen Harris
You know how it feels – at one point or another, most people have been in some kind of debt.
Maybe it is a mortgage, a car note, or credit card bills; sometimes these things add up into a seemingly invincible beast.
When you also take into account today’s fluctuating economy and soaring unemployment rate, the potential for personal financial calamity is considerable.
What Is Debt?
A careful review of debt must begin with a basic definition.
Essentially, to be in debt means that something is owed to another person or lender.
When we enter into this obligation with out a sure way to pay the amount back, we begin a rapid decline into a monetary sinkhole, or, as some have described it, a “money pit.”
How do we Get Into Debt?
This seems like a rather simple question, but most people do not like the answer.
In his book The Complete Financial Guide for Young Couples (Chariot Victor, 1993), author Larry Burkett reveals three common attitudes that lead to debt: ignorance, indulgence and poor planning.
Financial ignorance may or may not be the individual’s fault.
Many people were simply never taught how to manage their finances.
As part of an instant gratification generation we find ourselves unwilling to save for planned purchases.
Rather, we take advantage of “easy financing,” “zero down, zero interest,” and “no payments until next year” credit offers.
Unless we are properly trained, the ease of charging can almost make it seem as though our purchases are free!
That is, until the bills come. Deferred payment does not mean deferred debt; if you have not paid for something, then you still owe the lender.
Indulgence is an attitude that seems to characterize our generation. Practical needs often give way to whimsical wants and we justify our purchases by saying, “If I want it, I must have it.”
Likewise, poor planning is an issue that plagues far too many homes.
Most financial nightmares can be avoided by developing and maintaining a concise, well-thought-out plan.
Carefully detailing the amount of money coming in compared to the expenditures going out helps to track exactly where our cash flow is flowing.
What is the Result of Debt?
Debt has many unmistakable results: broken homes, repossessions, and a marked self-centeredness, for example.
There are two specific outcomes, however, that many indebted Christians fail to recognize.
First, serious debt prevents the believer from actively supporting his or her church.
When we separate our finances from our faith, we find ourselves in a half-hearted, often hollow Christianity.
Throughout Scripture, believers are called to support the ministry of the church.
Not only are we to give, but we are to give cheerfully.
Furthermore, our level of giving has definite links to the seriousness of our faith. (2 Cor. 9:5-7; I Timothy 6:18; Hebrews 13:16)
When our debt prevents us from giving generously, we rob ourselves and others of untold blessings.
Second, excessive debt leads to an even more serious problem: enslavement.
Proverbs 22:7 warns, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”
When our focus is on repaying a material debt, we are less able to be useful for kingdom purposes.
Jesus Himself warned of this in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
How Can we Get Out of Debt?
Above all else, the most important thing we can do to get out of the pit of debt is to make a conscious, prayerful, intentional decision to honor God with our finances.
Too many people refuse to admit their debt problem and instead choose to continue in their disruptive financial practices.
This type of self-deception is dangerous, as Proverbs 22:3 advises, “The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naïve go on, and are punished for it.”
Other suggestions include:
- Give to God first.
He deserves our very best, not our leftovers (Deut. 26: 1-2). - Ask God for help.
He does not want His children burdened by debt. Ask Him for relief and support during these trying times (Matthew 7:7-11). - Resist indulgence.
It may be hard to admit, but you do not necessarily deserve everything you want. Be reasonable with your purchases and always consider need above desire. - Develop a budget and stick to it!
Have a written plan of attack and make yourself accountable to someone else who knows your budget. - Stop borrowing money and using credit cards.
Every dollar you borrow now is one dollar (plus interest!) you will have to repay later.
How we handle our finances on earth has eternal consequences.
The care with which we approach monetary matters is a representation of how well we handle true treasure – blessings God wants to bestow on us (Luke 16: 10-13).
Glorify God today by bringing your money – and your debt – under His control.
Related Reading:
Hitting rock bottom
Discover the Spirit-Filled life
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How Can I Be Sold Out to God if I Can't Pay My Bills? by Allen Harris appeared in In Touch magazine, July 2003.
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