Are You a Slave?

Many are and do not even know it. More honestly, refuse to acknowledge it. The second half of Proverbs 22:7 says, “…And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” Some translations use the word servant. It does not matter. The intent is clear, once a person is in debt, their will is not their own, they are at the mercy of their new master the creditor. Slavery might be illegal in the United States, but it is alive and well.

So how did we get there? We are Americans, from the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. We live in the most prosperous nation in the world, yet the Bible tells us we are slaves. We are not just spiritual slaves to the old nature, and sin, but also physical slaves. We are literally in bondage. How is that possible? It was easy.

Debtors deny it. We say, “Yes, I am in debt, but I am not a slave. I am not at the mercy of my creditors. They do not control what I do!” Want to bet? Look at a Summary of Terms disclosure from a creditor. There is an annual percentage rate. There is usually a higher rate for cash advances. The creditor is telling the debtor to buy goods not get cash. There is a late payment fee. Further, the default rate is even higher. The creditor can invoke the default rate any time the debtor is late, even by a day. There is a fee for pretty much everything. The creditor is telling the debtor what they may and may not buy and do, and what it will cost. The creditor tells the debtor what to buy, when to pay, how much to pay, and punishes any infraction with a fee. There is even a fee for closing an account if not paid in full. If that is not controlling what a person does, what is? Once in debt, the debtor is powerless to alter this arrangement. Further, the creditor (slaver) may alter the arrangement at any time. That is slavery.

One will forever be a slave until one realizes these simple truths. First, one has to recognize and accept, and the Bible states, that debt IS slavery. Second, one is at the mercy of creditors.

Dare to read on!

YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!

This ‘blog’ is actually an online ‘book’. The order of the posts is reversed so that readers can start at the ‘top’ of the page and read down for its ‘entire’ length.

NEWER POSTS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

Apologies to any that suffer inconvenience by this change; it just makes more sense to do it this way instead of scrolling down then up then down then up. It also makes sense for those that wish to ‘copy and paste’ this material for their own personal use.

Due to the excessive number of 'spam' comments relating to bankruptcy, debt consolidation, and 'credit counseling' -- comment 'word verification' is now in use here...again I apologize for any inconvenience - I really do want 'legitimate' Comments.

Thank you for your understanding,

Unchained Slave

NEW ARTICLE POSTED: 26 September, 2005 'The Parsimonious Woman Or Enslaving the Slaver!'

Terrifying Truth!

This is an expository/informational blog. While it may not be the most profound, or perfectly written blog, it is also not a journal blog in the sense that it is ‘my daily life’, or musings of the moment.

HERE WE ARE ADDRESSING ONE TOPIC: DEBT
I am a layman. I am not a pastor. I am not a professional writer. I do not have a seminary degree. I am a disabled veteran, American citizen, a Christian, and a freed slave. The reason I began this blog is I recognized that debt has been the GREATEST challenge and biggest diversion from my walk with Christ. Debt has had a greater impact on my ‘walk’ than the loss of loved ones and friends, loss of career, the horrors of combat, or the debilitating injuries sustained in the Military combined.

This is a basic overview of what we are going to cover.
First and foremost is the terrifying truth.
A. DEBT IS SLAVERY. [Proverbs 22:7(b).]
B. DEBT IS SIN. (for three reasons)
1. Debt is commonly a consequence of the sin of envy. [Envy is sin. Ex. 20:17, De. 5:21] [We asked the question: How many things is one in debt for to ‘keep up with the Jones’? We answered with Ro. 12:2 and Ja. 4:2-4]
2. Debt is lack of faith and trust in God. God promises to meet our needs. [Ph. 4:19, Ps. 37 18-19, He. 13:5, Mt. 7:11, Ro 8:32, Mt. 6:25-32] How much of one’s debt is failure to trust that God will fulfill His Promise to meet needs? We used the example of buying a car on credit. By going into debt for a car, one is saying, “God, you can not supply the car I need!”
3. We are commanded specifically NOT TO GO INTO DEBT! We start with Ex. 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” That verse does not specifically state NOT to go into debt, but take a look at the passage, 1 Co. 6:19-20, and the two SPECIFIC COMMANDS:
1 Corinthians 7:23, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” (referring to the slavery of Pr. 22:7)
Romans 13:8 “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Section 2:
A. Conviction: Recognize debt for what it is: slavery and sin.
B. Confession: Confess the sin. [1 Jn. 1:9]
C. Repentance: Change the behavior and stop sinning. [Jn. 8:11, Pr. 3:7, Ro. 12:1-2, Ph. 1:6 & 4:13 and Jn. 14:18]

Section 3:
The Principles of Becoming and Living Debt Free:
A. Giving
B. Stewardship
C. Contentment

Section 4:
Practical Application:
This is the section where we start taking a practical step by step walk through the “How-to” of getting out of debt and living debt free.
One of the biggest necessities of becoming debt free is to recognize the enemy. Creditors are not friends. Creditors are slavers. They enslave [Pr. 22:7]. They are not friends. They are not interested in one’s welfare. Their only concern is how to enslave, and keep one enslaved.

Before beginning to share what I have learned, both Biblically and experientially, a few things need to be addressed.

The next two posts, “Setting the Record Straight” and “Seeing Black & White in a World of Shades of Grey”, are ‘doctrinal statements. The first is my ‘Statement of Faith’. It is what I Believe based on the Bible and its teachings. I explain that in the introduction. The second is my ‘World View’. It is HOW I try to look at the world, based on my faith. Both these statements are ‘I’ statements. They are the way ‘I’ perceive existence. Obviously MANY people out there will not agree with these statements.
That is understandable. I accept that fact. If one disagrees with these statements, fine…I am always interested in apologetics. However, that should not detract from the purpose of this blog…to discuss debt.

While this blog is primarily directed at Christians…and the substantive ‘proofs’ of my ‘Arguments’ (see the post ‘Love to Argue’) are based on the Bible, there are many principles and practices that anyone can understand to improve their ‘quality of life’ by reducing the ‘Stress’ that debt places on one.

A final note:
This is an ‘Odyssey’ blog. It is a journey through a Biblical discussion of debt. I have previously stated I am not a ‘professional’ writer. I am not a theologian. I am a person that has been convicted of the sin and slavery of debt, and with God’s help have become free. I am no longer a slave to debt. Further, I have been convicted to share my experience and discoveries so that I may minister to others.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

This ‘Odyssey’ is a study of debt from both a Biblical and experiential perspective.
Reader comments are welcome [that is why it is a blog].
If this provides help, let us know so we can share in thanksgiving and blessings.

Additional help with scriptures and experiences are welcome.
“As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

‘Flaming’ is a ‘hazard’ of blogging, but in Christian love, please do not, just leave…If one has a legitimate ‘argument’ or contention, then we will try to address it.

Sometimes the reaction to CONVICTION is anger.

**Unless otherwise noted: All Biblical quotes in this blog are from The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Setting the Record Straight.

Before beginning this blog on debt, we need to set the record straight!
It is important for the reader to know WHAT I BELIEVE. (Sometimes called a ‘statement of faith’ and used almost exclusively by churches and ‘religious’ organizations, I believe an ‘Individual’ should have a ‘statement of faith’. The preferred format is written, with Biblical references. This allows individuals to remind themselves of where they stand, so they do not fall prey to the plethora of ‘kind of Biblical’ doctrines abounding today.)

Where Do I Stand?
I start with a quote by Count Zinzendorf, a leader of the Protestant Reformation. The Quote from Count Zinzendorf is “in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty and in all things charity (love).”
Here is what I believe and live by as the essentials of the Christian faith.

B.L.U.F. – Bottom Line Up Front
Jesus Christ, GOD, the one and only Son of God, crucified, dead, resurrected, reigning….IS My Savior

Zinzendorf’s quote:
In essential beliefs — we have unity:
“There is one Body and Spirit…there is one Lord, on faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” Eph. 4:4-6.
In non-essential beliefs — we have liberty:
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters… Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1-4,12,22
In all our beliefs — we show charity (love):
“…If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains – but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” I Cor. 13:2 (Ph)

GOD
I believe in one living and true God. God is the Creator, Ruler, and Preserver of all things. God is a spirit, and God is love. I believe that God is eternal, infinite, all-powerful, all wise, almighty and unchangeable, yet can be known by humanity and is intensely concerned for His creation. I believe in the unity of the Godhead, which, in the divine mystery, is one substance yet Three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is perfectly just and righteous as well as being gracious and merciful.
Gen. 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2: 2 Cor. 13:14

JESUS CHRIST
I believe in Jesus Christ as the only Son of God, fully human and fully God. I believe that he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. By Jesus’ incarnation, God became one of us to declare best to humanity His Love and Purpose. Jesus walked among us and in his sinless ness, became the perfect sacrifice for our sin. He suffered at the hands of humanity, was crucified, died and was buried and resurrected. The purpose was to restore our relationship with God, which was broken by sin.
He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory to intercede on our behalf with the God. He will return someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22, 23: Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5: 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; I Cor. 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13

THE HOLY SPIRIT
I believe in the Holy Spirit as the person of the Holy Trinity who lives within us. The Spirit convicts us of sin, and guides us in repentance. The Spirit offers us comfort, helps us and gives us understanding of God’s truth. The Holy Spirit also gives us the power to live the Christian life and directs us in the discovery and use of our spiritual gifts.
2 Cor. 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; I Cor. 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Gal. 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE
I believe that the Holy Scriptures (the Bible) are and shall remain the only source and rule of doctrine, faith and practice. The Bible contains all the necessary truth to lead humanity into salvation. I believe that Christ is present with us in both Word and Sacrament and I decline to determine as binding what the Scripture has left undetermined or to argue about the mysteries impenetrable to human reason. Further, the Bible is God’s Word to us. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspired it, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

HUMANITY AND SIN
I believe that God created humanity in His own image, pure and sinless. Yet through sin (disobeying God’s will) all humanity is sinful, having a selfish, rebellious and depraved nature. Being created in God’s image, I have the ability to determine what is right and wrong, as well as having the freedom to choose my own path. I also will be responsible for and held accountable for my actions and choices.
Sin destroys my ability to have a relationship with God. Sin is a way of life that seeks to satisfy wants and desires without regard of God. Sin is both individual acts of resisting, mistrusting and rejecting God’s will and the condition of my existence if I do not allow God to rule and direct my life. I believe that all of humanity is in bondage to sin and all are in need of salvation.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1, 2

SALVATION
I believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior of humanity. Mankind cannot save itself, but Jesus Christ, by dying on the cross for our sins, has mended our relationship with God. Humanity (as individuals) can be restored to that relationship only through acceptance and belief in Jesus Christ and his gift on the cross.
Recognizing Christ as Lord and Savior gives us the free gift of eternal life. Salvation is by grace and not through any human effort. Once I am in God’s grace, nothing can separate me from that eternal relationship. It is possible to fall into sin, but through confession and true repentance, I will find forgiveness and restored fellowship with God.
Romans 6:23; Eph. 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5

ABOUT ETERNITY
God created people to exist forever. We will either exist eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation or face judgment and damnation. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life through salvation. Those that have not been saved will be judged on their works and then be cast into the ‘Lake of Fire’ (Hell). Heaven and Hell are REAL places of eternal existence. John 3:16; 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:10-15; I Cor. 2:7-9

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
I believe that the true spirit of my faith is life-centered rather than creed-centered and maintain that the greatest evidence of a regenerated heart is godly living. I find guidance for living this life of faith in the simplest Christian confession, “Jesus is Lord.”
I believe the Christian Life (Sanctification) is the work of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, making the believer pure in heart and totally committed to God. This work is both instantaneous and progressive. It begins with the birth of faith and continues throughout a person’s life.
The effective Christian life brings the believers to a point where they will denounce a desire to live for themselves and will desire to live totally for God. At this point Jesus will be truly Lord of our lives.
I believe that even though humanity cannot receive salvation through good works, they are pleasing to God and give evidence of genuine faith. Christian living in itself builds faith and gives testimony to God’s will for a person’s life.
Romans 12:1,2; James 5:12; Eph. 5:22-6:4; 1 Cor. 6:1-8; Rom. 12:17-21; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6


MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH
I believe that the Holy Spirit has given spiritual gifts to all believers. The purpose of these gifts are the building up of the Body of Christ (the Church) - and bringing glory to God. I believe in the Priesthood of all believers and that all Christians share in the privilege and responsibility of ministry in the church.
It is the goal of every believer to discover and use his or her gifts of ministry as a witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe that the church is called to evangelize the world, make disciples, and offer worthy worship to God. This mission is concerned with the individual souls of all people as well as the structures of the world. The social ministry of the church is one of justice, peace and equality.
I Peter 2:9; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-32; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 4:11-16

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
I believe that Jesus Christ will return to this world again to receive his believers and to be the righteous judge of God’s perfect justice. The time of His return is unknown, but may be at any moment. This is the glorious hope of all believers. 1 Thess. 4:16-17; 1 Thess. 1:10; Rev. 3:10; Rev. 19:11-20:6

Seeing Black & White in a World of Shades of Grey.

Now that you know what I believe, you need to understand how I view the world.

Some call this a Christian or Biblical World View:

Jesus Christ lived a sinless life: Matthew 1:22, 23: Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5: 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; I Cor. 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
Hebrews 4:14-15, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

God is the all-powerful (omnipotent) and all-knowing (omniscient) Creator of the universe and He rules it now and forever: Gen. 1:1, 26, 27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2: 2 Cor. 13:14
Psalm 90:1, 2, “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

The Bible is accurate in all of its teachings: 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 5:18
Psalm 119:160, “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”

Ergo: If Jesus Christ is real, God is real, and the Bible is accurate:

Then the following must ipso facto be TRUE:

Salvation (eternity spent with God as opposed to being separated from God in Hell) is a gift…It is impossible to earn. Romans 6:23; Eph. 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Revelation 3:20
Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Satan is a real entity. 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 9:11; John 8:44; Acts 5:3
1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Christians have a Duty to share their faith with other people. I Peter 2:9; Matthew 28:19, 24:14, 26:13; Mark 14:9; Romans 1:8; Colossians 1:6
Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

Absolute Moral truth EXISTS and the Bible defines THAT TRUTH. 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 5:18; Philippians 4:8; 1 Samuel 12:24; 1 Corinthians 13:6; Ephesians 5:9:
2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
John 17:17, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

**********

The ‘Moral’ TRUTH of the Bible is one of the most assaulted parts of Christian life. We are battered constantly by ‘situational ethics’ and humanism. There is a constant battle to get Christians to compromise that ONE FACT. “You Shall Not Steal.” Means YOU SHALL NOT STEAL! Not,”It is okay if you are not caught.” Not, “They were not using it anyway.” Not, “I just borrowed it.” Stealing is stealing. As Christians, as people living in a corrupt world, we are constantly tempted by ‘little sins’, and ‘little white lies’. “Everybody does it,” is not an answer, its rationalization. Satan is using the world constantly to convince Christians that rationalizing sin makes it not sin. The major purpose of this assault is to get us to compromise. If Satan can coerce us into compromising ONE aspect of Truth…ALL Truth becomes suspect. If we say just once, “The Bible doesn’t REALLY mean that,” then EVERYTHING else becomes compromised. The Bible is not situational ethics; it is True…the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. What is right is right, everything left is wrong. The Bible is definitive…it is absolute black and white, right and wrong. It is not ‘sometimes right’ and ‘sometimes sin’.

There is a line in a movie that goes something like, “When you dance with the Devil, you don’t change the Devil, he changes you.” It is an excellent paraphrase of the importance of standing firm on beliefs. Fortunately, the opposite is true, and promised. When you spend time with God, God changes you! (Romans 12:1-2).

Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Understand it is a life’s endeavor (and Christian duty) to see only black and white in world that Satan wants to be seen as shades of grey.

Love to Argue!

A short note on definitions (of words as I use them):

I use the words ‘argue’ and ‘argument’ often, in their ‘true’ and ‘original’ meaning, NOT as synonyms for fight, quarrel, bicker, row, or squabble.

From the Merriam-Webster online dictionary: LINK

Main Entry: ar-gue
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French arguer to accuse, reason & Latin arguere to demonstrate, prove; Middle French arguer, from Latin argutare to prate, frequentative of arguere; akin to Hittite arkuwai- to plead, respond
intransitive senses
1: to give reasons for or against something: REASON
2: to contend or disagree in words: DISPUTE
transitive senses
1: to give evidence of: INDICATE
2: to consider the pros and cons of: DISCUSS
3: to prove or try to prove by giving reasons: MAINTAIN
4: to persuade by giving reasons: INDUCE

Main Entry: ar-gu-ment
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin argumentum, from arguere
1 obsolete: an outward sign: INDICATION
2 a: a reason given in proof or rebuttal b: discourse intended to persuade
3 a: the act or process of arguing: ARGUMENTATION b: a coherent series of statements leading from a premise to a conclusion c: QUARREL, DISAGREEMENT

I like these definitions better than: ‘Debate’ (a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides) because I am trying to convince you, not just present a ‘differing’ opinion. 'Apology' (a formal justification: DEFENSE b: EXCUSE) and 'Apologetics' (systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine) These are not quite correct, because I am not defending my position and beliefs. I am presenting my position and beliefs, based on experience and Biblical study with the INTENTION of proving, and persuading others to that position.

That being said, when one reads the word ‘argue’ and ‘argument’ here, one should not ‘hear’ - ‘fight’, one should ‘hear’ - ‘persuade’, ‘convince’ and ‘prove’.

Down and Dirty

Why is debt wrong for a Christian?
Let the squeamish Christian run away.
Debt is SIN!
There are three major reasons debt is sin. [Each addressed separately.]
1. Debt is a consequence of the sin of envy.
2. Debt is lack of faith and trust in God.
3. There are direct COMMANDS not to be in debt; therefore going in debt is direct disobedience to God.

Proverbs 3:5, 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
God will NEVER direct a believer to sin. If a person prays for guidance, be absolutely sure that guidance will not be to sin.

In other words, if a person is praying for a new car, God will not direct them to go into debt to finance one. Rest assured that is a test. 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you, except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” Simply put, do not buy the car if you have to go into debt to get it. God has a better plan.

My mother, a godly, godly, woman is fond of this quote by Ruth Meyers, “God is a God of a million alternatives. We can usually think of one or two.”

When we envy, fail to trust, and disobey, we miss out on God’s plan, and substitute it with our own.

Why Do I Care?

Why am I writing this blog? The bottom line up front is because I NEED to.

There was a plaque in my high school science class. On it was this saying:
“The Wise Learn From Experience – Other Peoples’!”

I’ve never forgotten the saying. I haven’t always applied it, but I still remember it.

Being in debt, living on the edge of homeless indigence, selling off personal property to pay bills and put food on the table is an experience. I would not wish that experience on others. The lessons learned and Biblical teachings about indebtedness come from my experience.

I stated earlier that ‘Debt has had the greatest impact on the ability to walk faithfully with Christ. Debt’s impact has been greater than the loss of loved ones and friends, loss of career, the horrors of combat, or the debilitating injuries sustained in the Military combined.’

I’ve been a Christian for most of my life. I may be Christian, but I am no ‘saint’. Paul’s statement to Timothy (1 Ti. 1:15) “…that Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”, could easily apply to me.
After high school, and a couple of years in college, I joined the Army and became a career soldier. A ‘Training Accident’ ended my career. I spent three years in rehabilitation trying to regain my career. It didn’t happen. I went from a ‘guaranteed’ income, to a partial disability stipend, but I continued racking up debt.
God has a wonderful plan for me. One of the most misunderstood, misquoted, and taken out of context verses in the Bible is Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” So how does being permanently disabled, living in pain, loss of mobility, a host of medical problems, and loss of income work together for GOOD? The answer is in the next verse, Romans 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” The GOOD is that I might develop a better relationship with God and am more like Christ. That is the GOOD and the PLAN. I fall, I’m human, and I’m not perfect.
When it is a physical tragedy or calamity, like my father dying of cancer, or losing friends and loved ones, or my own disabilities, God is who I turn to. It is not easy. There were times when I railed against God, even hated Him. I have to keep going back to His promises. He promises this is for the GOOD of making me more like Christ if I walk with Him. There is also the promise of 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, that says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Part of the GOOD is helping others because I’ve “been there, done that”. This is true of my disabilities, yes, but it is also true of DEBT.

Dealing with disabilities is tough. Debt was a completely different animal. It ‘disabled’ me from walking with God in ways my physical injuries NEVER did. It is a much more insidious (sneaky) way that Satan gets into a believer’s life and disables their walk with God!

I learned that debt was sin. I learned that it interfered with my relationship with God. Christians know that any sin separates them from God. Debt was no exception. It is a much more tangled web. There was the sin that got me into debt and the debt itself caused conflict and separation. I spent untold hours worrying about and paying debt. I carried the burden of debt like a ball and chain. It divided me between worshiping God, and serving creditors.
Since the military, I have been physically unable to keep a full time job. I have had to live on a stipend, minimal work, and the generosity of others. The stipend I received for my disabilities was not a living wage. It could not pay for rent, utilities, and food, much less pay for wants. I went further and further into debt, even though God was constantly (but not always recognized) meeting my needs. I was accepting my disabilities as His will, while getting further away from Him by increasing my debt.
I kept getting ‘hints’ about debt, but I was not paying attention. I don’t always ‘hear’ the prodding of the Holy Spirit. Often God has to get my attention by hitting me upside the head with a piece of lumber. That is what He did with debt.
In 2000, for the first time since the military career ended, I was working almost full time. I was house-sitting for a family that was supposed to be overseas for two years. In the space of two weeks, I ‘lost’ my job, and the family returned early, so I had to vacate their house. There I was, up to my chin in debt, jobless, and on the verge of homelessness.
I called out to God. He answered.
About that time, mom sent me a video interview. The interview was with Pastor Barry Cameron about the book “The ABC’s of Financial Success”. I’ve never read the book. The interview was enough to convict me.
There I was, up to my chin in debt, jobless, and on the verge of homelessness. NOW I was convicted that debt was sin. I studied the Bible trying to find an escape from the inescapable. Everything I studied only made me more convinced and convicted.

Picture the scene. I was physically disabled, jobless, and soon to be homeless. I did not know where I was going to live, work, or how I was going to pay for food much less debts. The huge weight of debt was on my shoulders. Add to that a great big neon flashing sign in front of me, “You Must Get Out of Debt!”
“God, you’ve got to be kidding, right?”
“You Must Get Out of Debt!”
“Yeah, right,” was the reaction.
“You Must Get Out of Debt!”
“Okay, how?”
“Trust and Obey!”
That conversation ended with me asking for forgiveness and deliverance. I was hoping for an instant miracle…You know, a long lost (unknown) relative leaving an inheritance, winning the lottery, an anonymous gift, something like that. It didn’t happen. What did happen was five years of hard work. Even as I stumbled, God provided. Repeatedly. It wasn’t one big miracle. It was many ‘little’ miracles as every day God provided. If it had been one big miracle, I would not have learned anything.
No, it was five years of learning to live, to spend, to save, to budget, to be content, and most importantly, to fully rely on God to meet needs. There was this huge debt weight on my shoulders, but I am convinced, Christ carried most of it. I lived knowing that if I didn’t learn lessons about debt, debt would crush me. I knew I was enslaved. I watched what it was doing to me. Even trying and learning to rely on God, the stress was literally killing me. Debt Slavery affected me mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Knowing I was doing the right thing, and walking with God, was liberating, to a point.
You can hardly imagine the relief, the liberation, and the rapture of paying off that last debt. How can one describe the indescribable? I have been set free. I am no longer a slave to debt.
I have learned how not to be enslaved again (although that is an ongoing battle).
That’s what this blog is all about! That is why I NEED to tell you about it!
I want, and pray, for you to experience the joy of debt freedom.
I want you to be able to walk with the Creator, unfettered.
Therein is a peace and joy that you cannot imagine, you have to experience!
Getting out of debt is not easy, but with God, it is possible, and it is what HE wants!

Our Wants Enslave Us!

Most of us become slaves to debt by one not so ‘little’ sin. The bottom line is that we go into debt because of envy or we covet. We want. We want to keep up with the Jones’s. We want a newer car. We want a ‘better’ lifestyle. We want new fashions. We want a new ‘toy’ like a motor home or boat or a bigger TV. We want what we do not have and someone else does, or we want something better than theirs. That is envy. Dictionaries define envy as ‘discontent by another’s gains, success, etc. and a desire to have them.’

Debt is consequence of envy. Envy is sin (any ‘good’ Catholic knows that Envy is one of the Seven Deadly Sins). For those familiar with the Ten Commandments, the tenth Commandment says, “Thou shall not covet [want/ENVY] your neighbor’s wife”. That is NOT what the verse says, Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21, “Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” Substitute the words for today; neighbor’s house, wife, housekeeper, car, boat, TV, etc.

The Bible defines it as sin. Remember Satan? He envied God’s power (Is. 14:12-14). Cain envied Abel’s relationship with God, and committed the first murder (Gen. 4:7,8 ). Joseph’s brothers envied him and sold him into slavery (Gen.37:11). The priests were envious of Christ, so they had Him crucified (Mark 15:10, Matt. 27:18 ). The Bible is full of instances were envy was the root sin of terrible deeds.

We say, “Now wait just a minute, I’m not envious. I am not killing anyone. I’m not selling anyone into slavery.” Yes, we are. We are killing ourselves, and selling ourselves into slavery. Look at a credit card statement. How many ‘things’ on that statement are really NEEDS?

Truthfully, how many things on that credit card statement are real needs, and how many are things that are just wants? We live in a world of instant gratification. How many TV commercials offer the opportunity to have it now and pay for it later? Every time one succumbs to that temptation, one is living in the world and of the world. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Every time we give in to the ‘now’ mentality, we add another link in the chain that enslaves us.

One will forever be a slave in sin and to sin until one faces reality and accepts that envy debt is a consequence of sin.

When ‘Want’ is Not Sin

Want, does not by definition mean sin. There is nothing wrong with wanting. It is a matter of why.

There are many verses in the Bible that tell us to ‘ask’. The Bible says that we do not have, because we do not ask! (Matthew 21:22, Luke 15:7, John 14:13, 14, 15:7, Romans 8:32, James 1:5, 1 John 5:14, 15, and many more) Most of these instructions are about asking for wants. So how do we know when what we want is sin and when it is not?

Consider the cross. Matthew 26:39 finds Jesus wanting, ‘He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."’ He did not want to die on the cross. However, what was His conclusion? The answer was that God’s will be done.

The first principle of ‘wanting’ is our willingness to be subject to God’s will. Are we willing for God to say, “No” or “wait”?

James gives us even more insight in James 4:2-4. The Message Bible (REMIX) puts it like this: “You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children each wanting your own way.” Verse 4 spells it out clearly, “You’re cheating God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and His way.” There it is, straight from the Bible, we do not have because we are asking for envious wants and worldliness.

The second principle of ‘wanting’ is our motivation. Why do we want whatever it is we want? Do we want to be worldlier or more Godly?

Paul told the Romans, “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.” (Romans 14:21) Here the question is how our ‘wants’ affect others.

The third principle of ‘wanting’ is how it affects others. What example are we setting?

A couple of examples of principles applied:
I wanted a toaster. Did God want me to have a toaster? I didn’t know. I asked myself why I wanted a toaster. Was it because my neighbor had a super-deluxe eight slice thermo-matic whiz-bang toaster? No, it was because I like toast. Would having a toaster cause a brother to stumble? I do not think so. We are back to God’s will in the matter. Finances, wise spending and indebtedness are my stumbling blocks. How much cash was available (I’m not about to go into debt for a toaster)? $24 was available for the purchase. I went to the store, firmly set not to spend a penny over $24 for a toaster. If I could not find a toaster for under $24, I wasn’t getting a toaster. Toasters were on sale for $6.47 plus tax. I bought a toaster.

I want a newer car. My car is sixteen years old, while safe to drive; it has a lot ‘character’. The body and engine are in good shape, but I want a car without so much ‘character’. Do I want a newer car because my neighbor just bought one? No, my neighbor gets a brand new car every two years. I want a newer car not a brand new car. My car is not as suited to my uses as when I first got it. Would getting a newer car set a bad Christian example? Maybe. Does God want me to have a newer car? Not now. Why ‘maybe’ and ‘not now’? The only way that I can get a newer car now without going into debt is by divine intervention. The ‘maybe’ is if I go into debt to get a newer car, I’m a hypocrite, that is a bad example. The ‘not now’ is simple, God’s leading is NEVER sin. Since I am convinced debt is sin, then I would have to sin to get a car. God isn’t leading me to do that, even though I just got the ‘0% down, 3.9% for six years - guaranteed car loan approval’ certificate in the mail. That is TEMPTATION. I’ll wait for a newer car until God provides the means without the sin.

Questions to ask about ‘wants’
1. Am I subject to God? Remember, God does not want us to sin. The end (God’s will) never justifies the means (if the means are sin). (If Jesus had sinned, where would we be?)
2. Why do I want what I want? Is it envy or just a simple desire?
3. Will a ‘want’ cause a brother to stumble, or weaken my witness?

Not Alone OR We Are In the Same Sinking Boat

We go back to 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you, except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” “…such as is common to man” is the key today.

It is hard to tell the difference between needs and wants. Everyone faces that challenge, knowingly or unknowingly. Admittedly, there are people out there blissfully ignorant of their own slavery, to them needs and wants are interchangeable. Both are causing them to become more enslaved. Dealing with envy debt requires learning to tell the difference between needs and wants. One has to learn to recognize the sin and temptations.

I remember back when I started college after high school. A good friend went to the same college. Her father gave her a credit card for ‘emergencies’. The first couple of months she was faithful to her responsibility. She did not use the card for anything. Then it happened. She had an emergency. Her car broke down and she had to have it repaired. That was the first time she used the card. After that, it was amazing how many things became ‘emergencies’. That was more than 20 years ago, she learned a lot from that lesson. Now, she is not a slave. More recently, a friend gave his daughter a cell phone ‘for emergencies’. After the first $200 phone bill, he gave her three quarters and told her to learn where the nearest pay phones were.

In talking with others, it appears that each of us has a particular blind spot. There is some area where Satan has a good foothold in keeping us from seeing the needs from envy or covetousness. It might be small or large, simple or complex, but it is there. A friend realized his ‘blind spot’ was presents. He ‘had’ to give the ‘best’ gifts. Whether it was an anniversary, birthday, Christmas or whatever, his had to be the ‘best’. It was a sobering thought when he realized that his giving was his sin. What is more, it really knocked him over when he realized that he was giving so that he was envied.

Consider my friend for a moment. He envied others giving wonderful presents. His answer was to give the best presents so that HE was the object of envy. How often do we do the same ourselves? We envy or covet what someone else has, so we go out and ‘get’ something bigger or better, so that we are the object of envy. Where does it stop? There will ALWAYS be someone that has better, bigger, more, nicer whatever’s. There will ALWAYS be someone we can envy. The question is Do we have to? The answer is no. We need to go back to Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

We are all tempted to covet and envy. Our society revolves around it. Every year a new model, fashion, version, etc. comes out. Satan’s Society tells us we HAVE to have it. It is a constant competition to be ‘one up’ on everyone else. That is envy and covetousness, and it inundates our daily lives.

The first step in dealing with sin is to recognize it for what it is: SIN

Trust & Disobey

We trust God to save our souls, but we do not trust Him with our money.

Bluntly, we trust God with the spiritual, but not with the material. When a person goes into debt, they are saying, 'God, I do not trust you to meet my physical needs."

What does God PROMISE about our physical needs?
Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 37:18, 19 “The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.”

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conduct be without covetousness [envy]; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ”I will never leave you nor forsake you.""

Matthew 7:11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

Matthew 6:25 -33 (The Message) "If you decide for God, living a life of God worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion - do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers - most of which are never even seen - don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."

We keep returning to Romans 12:1, 2. Reviewing this verse and debt, verse 1, has even more meaning. This is how ‘The Message’ Bible puts it, “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

Nothing says to quit a job, give away all possessions, become homeless, and go sit in a field waiting for God to bring food and shelter. That would be poor stewardship. It does not say, “do not to dress appropriately, nor wear makeup, nor drive a nice car, nor live in a nice house”. What it does say, is that God knows our needs and will meet them IF we trust Him. Matthew 6:33 (The Message) puts it back in perspective, “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” Every time we go into debt to ‘get’ a need or a want, we are robbing ourselves, distrusting and disobeying God.
We rob ourselves because we are so stressed out we lose focus. How many times have we ‘bought’ something on credit, like at a restaurant, and the meal is tasteless or lousy, and the companionship is not good, simply because we are preoccupied with the bill? How many things in life are like that? We want, we go into debt, and we get, only to be unsatisfied, and want more or something else.
We distrust, and disobey God, then miss his blessings. Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Read it again, “...according to His riches...” As ‘The Message’ puts it, “You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours...” How rich is God? He can afford anything. He owns everything. Are we REALLY saying that God can not supply us with the vehicle we need? Substitute anything for vehicle, like job, home, clothes, furniture, or toys.

He not only can, He promises that HE WILL!

Dangerous Discovery

Here is what we know and have discovered:
1. Debt is slavery. Proverbs 22:7 says, “...And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”

2. Debt is Sin.
We know that one of the major root causes of sin is envy and covetousness. Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21, “Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

We know that debt is failure to trust in the Promises of God to meet our needs. Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Now for the 'Dangerous Discovery' - Debt ITSELF is SIN!
We have danced around the issue of debt itself being sin. The First Commandment from Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” It is interesting that the Old Testament constantly talks about ‘other gods’. Most cultures had their own pantheon in those days. In the New Testament, as the Roman conquered the world, many of those pantheons disappeared, but Jesus, and the New Testament authors spoke extensively about MONEY as a god.
Luke 16:13 says, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” The Message Bible is clearer, “No worker can serve two bosses: He’ll either hate the first and love the second or adore the first and despise the second. You can’t serve both God and the Bank.”

So is it God or money? 1 John 2:15-17 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all sort of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.”

One could quickly argue that they are in debt but do not worship money and the things money buys. That may be true. However, we know debt is voluntary slavery from Proverbs 22:7. Our instructions are specifically not to become slaves.
1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Explicitly it is a command in 1 Corinthians 7:23, "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men."

As for debt itself, Romans 13:8 specifically states ‘NO DEBT’, "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law."

“WAIT A MINUTE!” some would say, “That’s talking about our 'Spiritual' duty, not monetary debt!” Really? What is the context of the verse? What does the verse before it, Romans 13:7, say? “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” Chapter 13 starts with, “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities.” That is earthly duty. Paul continues after verse 8 to explain, that by loving others, one keeps ALL the Ten Commandments, specifically mentioned are adultery, murder, stealing, and coveting (envy). It IS a Spiritual duty to OBEY in the physical world.
Romans 13:8 means EXACTLY what it says, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

DEBT BY DEFINITION IS SIN. It is direct disobedience to God.

The saddest verse in the Bible is 1 Kings 18:21, ‘And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.’ (emphasis mine).

How long will YOU falter between two opinions? Will YOU give God an answer?

What Now?

Debt is sin that is a fact. A choice must be made (not choosing is a choice).
There are three possibilities.

One can ignore the sin and go casually on their way. ‘De Nile’ (denial) is the longest river in the world, it winds its way through all of our lives.

One can acknowledge that debt is sin, ask forgiveness, and go blithely on their way. That is not repentance. A person that has an affair can ask God and their spouse for forgiveness. IF they continue the affair or have another affair; they are not repentant, just seeking absolution.

One can acknowledge that debt is sin and repent.
Repent is a verb. It is an attitude (deep sorrow, regret) and two actions, confession, followed by resolution not to continue. When a person repents, they are sorry for something, ask forgiveness, and resolve not to continue.


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5, 6. Many have heard these verses. What does the next verse say? "Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil." "Depart from evil", means stop doing what we know to be sin.

Many know the story of the prostitute that begins in John 8:1. The Jewish leaders were testing Jesus. They brought him a prostitute, and quoted the Mosaic Law regarding stoning. Most remember the quote in verse 7, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” That is not the end of the story. The story ends in verse 11, “...And Jesus said to her, ”Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."" Jesus forgives her, yes, but he also gives her the command not to do it any more.

The point here is simple, if a person is truly repentant of debt sin. They acknowledge the sin, and beg forgiveness. Then they stop doing it. Will Rogers said, “If you find yourself in a hole the first thing to do is stop digging.” That is true of debt. A person HAS to stop spending money they do not have. It is easier said than done. Getting out of debt is not easy. The only thing easy about debt is going into it.
While God is faithful and promises to forgive our sins if we confess them, sin still has consequences. Not the consequence of eternal proportions - eternal separation from God - but the earthly consequences. A thief, that confesses the sin, must still pay ‘society’ for their crime. A promiscuous person that gets a sexually transmitted disease may confess their sin and change their behavior, but they still have to live with the medical consequences. Debt is no exception. A person can be convicted of the sin and confess it, but they still have to live with the consequences.

Step one is confession.
Step two is repentance.
Step three is ‘stop digging’.
-Dealing With the Consequences-
Step four is get out of the hole.

Step one is straightforward. Confess sin. 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

After step one, it starts getting complicated. It requires we change.


Change is not easy. Becoming debt free requires change. Changes in attitudes, changes in behavior, changes in lifestyle, changes in spending habits, and changes in trusting God are all part of the process. It is not an overnight process, it is a work in progress, in a world that does not want a person to change.
God remains the same. He promises to help make the changes. Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." "...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;" is the promise from Philippians 1:6. Additionally He promises in John 14:18, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

God promises to help us, if we will let Him.

Changing Attitude to Action

Step one is confession.
Step two is repentance.

Reviewing,
Confess sin. 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The sin confessed is the debt itself, and reasons for going into debt, both envy and lack of trust.

Step two is repentance.
Stated earlier, repentance involves more than lip service. We have to ask ourselves are we TRULY sorry for the sin, and do we REALLY want to get right with God? The principle that repentance is action is Biblical. Repentance requires an ‘attitude’, and the ‘action’ proves the ‘attitude’ is real.

Proverbs 3:7 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.”
John 18:11, “...And Jesus said to her, ”Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.""

‘DEPART’, 'GO', and ‘SIN’ (used as a verb) are the actions that ‘prove’ the attitude.

Mark 10:17-25, and Matthew 19:16-24 tell the story of rich man wanting to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is where we find the quote, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” The rich man was sad because he had many possessions. The Major Point in this passage goes straight to Luke 16:13, “...no man can serve two masters...”, but it also shows the principle that repentance requires action. The action of giving away all the worldly possessions - proved that the desire to serve the ONE God was real.

Do not misunderstand, salvation is by grace, and grace alone, Eph 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

The point is that just asking forgiveness, then continuing in the same sin, is not repentance. IF there is no sorrow (attitude) and there is no change (action), then it is not repentance, it is fire insurance.

Matthew 7:20, “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Are we showing the ‘fruit’ of repentance, by our actions?

The question one has to ask is, “By what actions, do I show that I know debt is sin, I am sorry for the debt, and I want the sin out of my life?”

Digging Graves

Stop digging your own grave.

Will Rogers said, “If you find yourself in a hole the first thing to do is stop digging.”

Debt is a hole...it is a bottomless pit. A person can keep digging until they go beyond the point where the only way out is to die, then they pass the debt to their family. Their family becomes second generation debt slaves. My father did that. When he died, he passed on debt to my mother, a woman with little formal education, and whose only REAL job had been raising five kids. A child at the time, I did not realize for many years how tough things really were. My mother was a second generation debt slave. She FOUGHT her way out, and now, she and my step-father live in a beautiful home, with nice cars, on the beach...debt free.

I did not learn the lessons about debt from them, even though they tried to teach me. A rebellious and arrogantly obstinate youth, I like many, thought I knew better than my parents did. It has been said, “The older I get, the wiser my parents are.” That is certainly true in my case.

So, how do we ‘stop digging’? The first thing one has to do is stop spending money they do not have. No, duh! It sounds simple. It is not simple. It requires change. We have already noted that change is hard. Let us look at the basics. Any psychologist, behaviorist, and most people will tell us that attitudes drive behavior. One cannot sustain long-term changes in behavior, until one changes the attitudes behind the behavior.

How does one change the attitudes behind debt spending?
We start back with the Bible. Specifically, return to Romans 12:1, 2 as ‘The Message’ Bible puts it, “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

I like that, “You’ll be changed from the inside out.” - That is: God will work a change in attitudes that will be reflected in actions.

Begin the change by recognizing, confessing, and repenting. Ask God to help change the attitude by reminding one that debt spending is wrong. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” God promises to give us wisdom, so request wisdom in spending! God has our best interests at heart, Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Philippians 1:6, “...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” - This goes back to the ‘Good’ of Romans 8:28. The ‘good work’ in us is to make us more Christ-like. Borrowing from the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ movement, ASK the Question, “What would Jesus DO with a credit card?”

Change requires a decision. A person HAS to make a choice. “Either do, or do not, there is NO try!” is the quote from Yoda, in ‘Star Wars [The Empire Strikes Back]’. The Bible is a little more direct. Revelation 3:15, 16 says, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” Additionally James 5:16 says, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” Yoda paraphrases it very appropriately.

Not making a choice is making a choice not to change.

It is not easy. It is one of the hardest things I have done. It is still difficult. Every day there is a temptation to go back into debt.

Some bad news:
I will almost guarantee when you decide you want to become debt free, you will get blind-sided. Once you have made the decision, the first thing that will happen will be temptation. IT may be a bad thing, it may be a good thing, it may be a little thing, it may be a big thing...but you will be tempted. God wants to know you are serious, and prove He has the strength to help you. Satan wants to divert you, and help you fail!

Keep 1 Corinthians 10:13 in mind, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” This promise is from God!

Getting Out of the Pit

All right, we made it this far. We have made the ‘mental’ and ‘spiritual’ leap to the choice of getting out of debt.

We know that debt is slavery, sin and a consequence of sin.
We know that to get out of debt requires:
Conviction - Debt IS sin.
Confession - “Father, Forgive me, I have sinned.”
Repentance - “I am sorry, and I do not want to live in sin anymore.”
Choice - “I want to get out of debt.”
Attitude - “Lord, help me change my attitude so my behavior changes.”

Now, “HOW do I actually get out of debt. What do I DO?”

When I was convicted to get out of debt, I did not have a clue what to do or how to go about it. I was convinced that I had to it, but I did not know how. During my military career, my job required that I be self-sufficient, able to survive in any environment, combat or geography with little or no help and support. I was trained to do that. All my money management training was experience in how to get deeper in debt. How could I get the training to become debt free?

The military has a manual to teach one how to do just about anything relating to the job. Additionally, they have schools that reinforce the manuals. I fell back on military training and starting looking for ‘manuals’ on how to get out of debt. Hours of searching libraries and bookstores led me to one conclusion...financial ‘success’ in America today is defined by how to USE DEBT to increase one’s standard of living, and increase one’s slavery. There are books on how to ‘leverage assets’ (use what little one owns to assume more debt), how to ‘maximize resources’ (use debt to get more debt) etc, ad nauseam.

I reasoned through this, and went back to my military experience. I learned far more in the military from other soldiers that had ‘been there, done that’ than I ever did from a manual or a school. Others' experience, passed on, was more valuable than books or training. I started looking around for people that had what I wanted; people that had a debt free life, and contentment. I found very few. It is a very unpopular position; it is almost un-American. In America, we are ‘defined’ by our credit rating and how far into debt we can go.

I went back to the source. I became convicted of the wrongness of debt slavery by the Holy Spirit and the Bible. The thought was ‘if’ the Bible was correct, then it would not only be the manual on how to get out of debt, it would also have the ‘experiences’ of people living debt free lives. IT might not have a ‘step-by-step’ how-to guide on balancing a budget, but it does have the principles of what to do.

I am constantly amazed at how much information on everyday living there is in the Bible. I am not talking about just our ‘Spiritual’ lives; I am talking about the ‘nuts and bolts’ of everyday living. It IS a ‘How-To-Guide’ for living life. The people in the Bible were not just prophets and evangelists. The Bible tells the stories of people from all occupations, from prostitutes to kings, from business magnates to slaves, and people who were all of the above. It is filled with people whose ‘experience’ covers just about everything.

I found the principles and promises on how to get out of debt and live debt free. I also found the ‘How-To’ guide with ‘experienced’ examples! The Bible does not specifically say, “This is how to set up a budget”, but it does tell us how to spend our money.

The Principles of Becoming and Living Debt Free:
Giving
Stewardship
Contentment


Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I MUST Be Crazy!

Giving to God is the SINGLE most important step in becoming debt free!

The ABSOLUTE first expenditure from any income should be a check made out to God!

Many would say, “Man, you are crazy! I’m in debt up to my eyeballs. I’m already spending more than I earn, that’s why I’m in debt. Now you want me to GIVE some of my money away?”

Yes, but it is not what ‘I’ want it is what God wants!

Do not just give some of your income away, give it to God!
Do not just give some of your money to God, give away the FIRST part of your income to God!

Make a covenant with God to ‘give’ the first part of all income to Him.

‘Giving’ and ‘Tithing’ are often used synonymously. There is a difference. Tithing is an Old Testament ‘Law’, and very legalistic. Christ established a ‘New Covenant’. He said in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Consider what Matthew 5:17 says, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Tithing is redefined AS giving. We are instructed to GIVE, Romans 15:27 says “...For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.”

Giving is a duty. If one accepts that duty, and makes a covenant with God to give, what is the ‘practice’ of giving? How does one ‘give’?

The 'Principle and Practice' of giving is best defined in 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”

Giving should be to the ministry, planned, proportional, personal, and FIRST.

TO THE MINISTRY (God): “...the collection for the saints...” The money is for those in service to the Gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:14 states, “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.” It is a ‘good work’ to give to charities, like the local library, it is a duty to Give to the Ministry.

IS PLANNED: "...each week...lay something aside..." That is clear. Primary giving is a part of the budget process, not impulsive. There may be times when a person is ‘moved’ to give additionally, but that is secondary.

IS PROPORTIONAL: "storing up as he may prosper" and Acts 11:29 says, “Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.” A person’s PLANNED giving should be proportional to their income.

IS PERSONAL: There is NO directive on how much that PROPORTION is. That is between an individual and God. The only thing we have is the guidelines of tithing from the Old Testament, falling back on Matthew 5:17. The ‘Law’ on tithing was 10% of all income. Giving 10% is not a rule it is a guideline. Prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit should determine giving. R.G. LeTourneau, wealthy industrialist and inventor (he owned more patents than anyone did since Thomas Edison), and the founder of Letourneau College, gave 90% of all his personal and business income.

FIRST:
Using guidelines from the Old Testament, tithe was from the first fruits of labor. Proverbs 3:9, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase;” 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2 reinforces this with the phrase, “On the first day of the week...” Additionally, Matthew 6:20, 21 tell us, “...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Giving to God is ‘laying up treasures in heaven’.
Answer these questions, “Who is first in my life?” Is it God or is it the bank (Luke 16:13)? “As a debt slave, to whom do I owe the greatest debt?” Wouldn’t that be Jesus Christ? HE paid the price for ALL our sins! How big a debt to HIM is that?

GIVING FIRST REINFORCES THAT GOD IS FIRST
[Then of course, there is the payback...it isn’t just about ‘treasure in heaven’]

Giving TO Get

Giving to God is the SINGLE most important step in becoming debt free!

GIVING FIRST REINFORCES THAT GOD IS FIRST
[Then of course, there is the payback...it is NOT just about ‘Treasures in Heaven’]

Giving to ‘Get’ sounds selfish and ‘un-Christian’. Giving as a way of honoring God, does have rewards. The Attitude that one is giving to God to honor Him, AND to expect an increase in material wealth, so that one may give more, is valid.

John D. Rockefeller, Sr. (the wealthiest man in world, the first billionaire, and who, in inflation adjusted dollars would be worth almost twice as much as Bill Gates) said, “I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week.” (John, SR. used ‘tithing’ and ‘giving’ as synonyms.)

His son, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., said, “Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.”
I would add it is a privilege because it means one has an income as source for giving!

Is there some place in the Bible that promises material wealth?
Amazingly, yes the Bible does PROMISE an INCREASE in material wealth.
We have looked at Proverbs 3:9, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase;” The VERY NEXT VERSE TELLS US WHY: Proverbs 3:10, “So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.” That is talking about possessions...material wealth! That is a promise from God. Visit Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” This is the last item in a list of things to do to live a Godly life, described by Jesus, starting in verse 27 (see also Proverbs 19:17, and 28:27). God promises to give back in ‘good measure’.

AND THE BIGGEE!
Take a look at Malachi 3:10, 11; “"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;" Take a really close look at the wording in the first sentence, specifically where it says “try Me”. The word ‘try’ is translated from the Hebrew as try, test, tempt, examine, and prove. Malachi 3:10 is the ONLY place I have found, and I have asked Bible scholars for help on this, that God says, “Test ME Now”, "See if I am true to My Word". I asked one of my brothers, a Doctor of Theology, if this was the only place in the Bible where God challenges us to test Him, his answer was, “Once is enough!”
When I first started this odyssey to become debt free, an Unchained Slave, I STARTED with a commitment to give. I purposed to give to God BEFORE committing to being debt free. When I made the commitment, I challenged God. I did, I said, “God I am testing you!” You promise to “open the windows of Heaven” for me, prove it!
Most people would call my circumstances ‘dire’ (see previous blog 'Why Do I Care'). I was living in my other brother’s converted garage, which he had politely asked me to vacate. I was unemployed. My only source of income was a ‘small’ disability stipend. I was close to $30,000 in debt. I figured that was a pretty big test for God. I was wrong.
Three years later, I am truly ‘retired’. I have ZERO debt. My monthly stipend is more than four times as large, and more than adequate for my ‘needs’. I am renting a nice two bedroom house with a garage in an area where the cost of living is twice what it was where I started. I have more money in a savings account than I can ever remember having. I have an investment portfolio, not just a savings account. I have full health, dental, and life insurance coverage.
You want to talk about the ‘windows of Heaven’ opening? I HAVE been blessed as Luke 6:38 promises, in “good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over”.

That is not just a testimony it is a challenge. I committed myself to ‘giving’. I resolved to give faithfully out of all my income. I have done that. There have been times when my faith wavered. There have been times when I looked at that ‘first’ check made out to God, and thought, “this is as a week’s groceries (or more)”. There have been times when living on the edge of homeless indigence I have literally had the change in my pocket, and days to go until the stipend arrived. But I have Given, period. God has honored, and blessed that in ways I never thought in my wildest imaginings.

Giving alone will not get one out of debt, there are other responsibilities, but it IS the place to start

Battling for Bucks

1 Corinthians 7:23, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”
The second half of Proverbs 22:7 says, “...And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”

Do NOT misunderstand. When I made the commitment to give, I did not ‘instantly’ find myself debt free and solvent. It was a difficult road. II Corinthians 9:6, 7 says, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
There ‘appears’ to be a contradiction here. I said there were times it was difficult to give. This verse clearly states not to give grudgingly. I would ‘argue’ (maintain by reasoning...persuade) that once I ‘purposed’ to ‘cheerfully’ give a specific part of my income to God, Satan was allowed to challenge my faith and trust in God.
Moreover, I was tested. Not everything started ‘turning up roses’. There were times during the last couple of years when I was homeless. What earthy belongings I had were stored in a friend’s garage, my mailing address was another friend’s house, and I was sleeping in my car. I was never quite reduced to a cardboard box and a shopping cart, but it was close. I definitely strained the ‘hospitality’ of friends and family. There were times when my disabilities and physical health deteriorated to the point I physically could not work. Through it all, I maintained my commitment to ‘give’.
God brought me through these past years. I have absolutely NO doubt about that. He provided for my needs (Philippians 4:19), even as I was tested to the limits of my strength to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). Christ carried me more than I walked.
Giving was a constant reminder that I HAD to rely on God.
I had to learn about myself and finances and I had to change. I know Christians that have purposed to give. They set aside a portion of their income every month, and give it. They are paid more than once a month, but they only ‘give’ once a month, out of all their income. That definitely did not work for me. Though I stepped out in faith and trust, I did not have the discipline to follow through. I HAD to ‘give’ as soon as I got, or I found myself tempted and vacillating. I would waver, arguing with myself that I could buy groceries with this check and pay God with the next. I removed the temptation. Simply put, when the pay hit the bank, the check to God was written and mailed. Every time I received any income. In hindsight, it seems silly that I was ‘giving’ so many times a month, but whether it was $2, $20 or $200 income, I was still tempted to put off paying God. It was a matter of faith and trust that God would provide my needs. I am still challenged with that faith and trust issue.

The bottom line is this:
Yes, God promises to honor giving! HOWEVER, He does so according to HIS timetable, not ours. Just because one starts giving to God, does not mean debt will instantly disappear. It does not mean that financial difficulty will become ‘a thing of the past’. He will honor His promises. God does not change. We have to change to be ‘ready’ to receive the gifts He promises.

I had to change before I could truly Appreciate God’s blessings.
I had to learn good stewardship.
I had to learn Biblical principles of financial management.
I had to unlearn unwise spending habits.
I had to re-learn how to spend money.
I had to learn how sneaky and seductive debt slavers (creditors) were.
I had to learn to rely on God to meet my needs.
I had to learn contentment.

Getting the increase in material wealth (as promised) before I learned these lessons and changed my attitude and behavior would have been like ‘pearls before swine’.

God honored His promises to me; but not before I was ready.
I am still not perfect. Rarely does a day go by that I am not tempted in one way or another to fall back into old ‘habits’. Rarely a day goes by that I am not tempted in some way, big or small, to go back into debt.

Two sayings come to mind,
“Lessons are repeated until they are Learned.”
“No one can out-give God.”

The road will not be easy, but the destination makes the trip worth it.

"Into Outer Darkness"

Introduction to ‘Stewardship’

Consider this, God OWNS all the wealth in World... He created it, and in the end, He will destroy it. (2 Peter 3:10)

Do we really believe God is omniscient (knows everything past, present and future)? If we believe that, we have to accept that God knows specifically what our abilities, (He gave them to us) and our limitations are. (How else could He Promise not to let us ‘be tempted beyond our strength’ in 1 Corinthians 10:13?)

What does that have to do with stewardship? What is stewardship anyway?

Merriam-Webster online dictionary: LINK
Defines ‘Stewardship’ as: “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care”

Stewardship is taking care of EVERYTHING God entrusts to our care, including money!

The ‘classic’ Biblical example of stewardship is called ‘The Parable of the Talents’. Matthew 25:14-30 “"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. (15)And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.”
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’”
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.’”
“'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'” [all emphasis added is mine]

Pastors frequently preach about this parable, but often overlook a significant point. Take a close look at verse 15, "to each according to his own ability". ‘Own Ability’ - we are not competing with someone else’s ability.

God knows each of our abilities and limitations. He has entrusted to us, ‘each according to his own ability’, exactly as much wealth as we are able to manage! Whenever we go into debt, we are being bad stewards, and taking on more than we are able.

Previously, I stated that I was not ready to receive the gifts He promised. I had to ‘prove’ my abilities, by being a good steward with what little I had, before receiving more. The parable illustrates that specifically. The first two stewards ‘proved’ their abilities, and received an increase. The third proved he was NOT able to handle what he was given. When he failed, he lost all, and then was put 'into the outer darkness'.
While this parable is allegorical ('the kingdom of Heaven is like'), these principles of stewardship are repeated often in the Bible.
I can tell you from personal experience, that there is very little in this world that compares to the depression, despair and ‘outer darkness’ of being homeless, in debt slavery, and hungry. Even with a place to live, and food on the table, the constant nagging anxiety of debt slavery, and the ‘threat’ of losing all because the bills keep piling up is ‘outer darkness’.

Stewardship is taking care of what you are given! Giving it away to debt is bad stewardship and leads to ‘outer darkness’. The ‘outer darkness’ of depression, anxiety, resentment, and because it is sin, interrupted fellowship with God.

Rewards

We now know the results of stewardship, both good and bad.
We know specifically that good stewardship leads to ‘an increase’.
We know specifically that bad stewardship gets us put ‘into outer darkness’.

How often do we experience the stress, depression, anger, and anxiety over debt and making ends meet? How often is our ‘joy’ of fellowship with God ‘interrupted’ by our worry over finances? We know that over 70% of divorces claim to be over money issues. We don’t know how much of that percentage is specifically over debt, but an educated guess would say a significant amount.

So how does one become a ‘good’ steward of money? First, recognize, as Matthew 25:15 states, that each is given 'according to his own ability'. God has given each of us an income equal to our abilities.
Psalm 75:6, 7 says, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.” Some translations use the word ‘promotion’ instead of exaltation. In other words, God gave you the job, and determines your pay raises.

We are concentrating on stewardship. Specifically, what does it take to be a good steward of the money and possessions God has entrusted to us?

The Principles of Biblical Stewardship of Money are:
1. Giving: We have discussed this in detail. A quick review, see Proverbs 3:9-10, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 28:27, Malachi 3:10-11and Luke 6:38.

2. Accountability (budgeting): Proverbs 27:23 says, “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds;” Matthew 25:19, “After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.” Luke 16:2, “So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’”

3. Work: Genesis 2:15, “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” Exodus 20:9, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work,” Proverbs 10:4, “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.” 2 Thessalonians 3:12, “Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” There is an abundance of references commanding us to work.

4. Savings: Proverbs 6:6-8, “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” Proverbs 21:20, “There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.”

5. Indebtedness: Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Proverbs 22:7, “...And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” 1 Corinthians 7:23, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”
DEBT is what this is all about.

The principles of financial ‘good stewardship’ are giving, accountability, work, savings, and NO DEBT.

These are the principles, what are the practices? What is the How-to of good stewardship?

Solving the 'Crime'

Accountability & Budgeting
In practical application, budgeting begins with detective work.
Like they say on television and in the movies, “Follow the Money!”

Becoming a ‘good’ steward requires accountability. How can one be a good steward and get out of debt without knowing where their money is? Proverbs 27:23 says, “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds;”

Initially, we have to become ‘detectives’ and solve the ‘crime’ by answering the question, “Where did the money go?”
Past accountability is important. One cannot change spending habits unless one knows those habits.

A budget is an ‘accountability’ tool. Budgets serve four basic purposes.

1. Budgets explain where the money went (in the past) [The Autopsy Budget].
2. Budgets determine where the money ‘has’ to go (to pay the bills in the future).
3. Budgets ‘show’ where money is being unnecessarily spent.
4. Budgets are a plan to accomplish financial goals (the first of which should be - get out of debt).

The Autopsy Budget - The detective work begins here.
This is the budget that examines were that money has gone in the past.
A question and a quote:
How can one plan for the future without know what has happened in the past?
“Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it!”

It is surprising how many people have budgets, try to ‘stick to them’, but can not ‘explain’ where the money went.
Comb through the past three months of credit card bills, receipts, bank statements, and anything else that ‘explains’ where the money went and record it.

Break down spending into categories of expenses.

1. Giving
2. Mandatory Expenses.
1. Rent
2. Car Insurance
3. Utilities
4. Water
5. Home Phone
3. Expendable Expenses
1. Food
2. Clothing
3. Comfort Items
   
4. Slave Expenses
1. Credit Card Bills
2. Car Payments
3. Cable TV Bill
4. Internet Service
5. Mortgage Payments
6. Cellular phone
   
5. Exigent Expenses
1. New tires
2. Medical
   
6. Unknown (any part of the income that is ‘unaccounted’ for, but definitely spent)

This list is by no means ‘exhaustive’, or written in stone. Some items may be under different headings. For example, a cell phone in most cases is a convenience, but for some, it is a ‘mandatory’ expense. I have a friend that is so tied to his cell phone (he is on call 24 hours a day) he had his ‘home’ phone service discontinued.

I know there are many items on the list, start simple. Start with pay stubs and deposits...One can not tell where the money went without knowing how much there was to begin with. Move to the expenses that are ‘known’, the rent, the utilities etc. That gives one a ‘frame’ to begin with.

This is hard work. It is like filing an income tax return repeatedly. Becoming a freed slave is worth it.