Does it Work?

Evaluating the plan to eliminate debt, like the execution, is an ongoing process. Initially one will have little data to evaluate. As time goes on, more information will be available to evaluate success.

The simple question is, “Is it working?” If the answer is “Yes”, Hallelujah! Keep up the fight! If the answer is “No”, then one needs to ask “Why not?”

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

At this point, there is a reminder. No one is perfect. There will be times when one stumbles, and falls. If one has ‘gotten back on the horse’, and is keeping on track, that is not necessarily “No”. That does not mean that the plan is not successful. There will be times, even if the plan is working where it will be, “three steps forward, two steps back”, or even “two steps forward, THREE steps back”.
When asked, “Is it working”, one needs view the ‘big’ picture, not an individual event. "...as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged." Deuteronomy 1:21b. “…run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus…” Hebrews 12:1b-2a.

There are a number of questions to ask if the plan is not working. One has to go back to the basics. One has to ask some tough questions and confirm beliefs.

One has to ask, Am I:

Convinced Debt is Sin?
“You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23

Living a life of covetousness, trying to keep up with the ‘Jones’?
“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.” Exodus 20:17

In Love with Money and the Things Money Buys?
“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.” 1 Timothy 6:10

Trusting God to Meet my Needs?
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Giving?
“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase;” Proverbs 3:9

Being a Good Steward?
“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds;” Proverbs 27:23

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘No’, then one has to go back and re-evaluate that answer. Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." In other words, without a solid foundation, trying to get out of debt will be a difficult road.

If the answer to these questions is ‘Yes’, then one needs to look at the plan and its execution. Is the plan flawed? Why is the execution failing? Self-evaluation is always difficult. Is one trying to accomplish too much? If so, back down a little. It is a very stressful thing to get to the end of the month, and not be ‘sure’ one is going to make it. Trust, obey, but do so in good conscience as a Good Steward. Is one not trying enough? Go back through ways to decrease spending to allocate more money to paying debt.

One may have to ‘adjust’ the debt repayment plan a number of times (that is why evaluation is so important). The hardest parts of paying off debt are discipline and perseverance. In this case, Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.”

God honors His promises to us.

Apply, Evaluate, Apply, Evaluate, Adjust, Apply, Evaluate…
The cycle ends when one is debt free…

What is one to do in the meantime?