"Not a Single Luxury"

We have been discussing ways to cut expenses. There are three reasons to do so.
1. To be obedient to God.
2. To live within our means (spend less than is earned).
3. To get out of debt.

This is not easy. It has been maintained that is terribly difficult, especially in a world that promotes debt and slavery to debt. The ‘world’ will condemn us, 1 Peter 4:3-4, “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.”

Remember, we are not ‘competing’ with the ‘Jones’. God will reward each of us according to our works…not the Jones’s works. (Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”)

The lyrics to the theme song from ‘Gilligan’s Island’ come to mind when thinking about the difficulties of living within one’s means and getting out of debt.

“They'll have to make the best of things,
it's an uphill climb.
The first mate and his Skipper too
will do their very best,
to make the others comf'terble
in their tropic island nest.
No phone, no lights, no motor car,
not a single luxury
like Robinson Crusoe
it's primitive as can be.”

It is an uphill climb. One has already dug one’s own grave, and is sitting in it. We are not talking about selling everything and moving into a shanty. What we are talking about is making some sacrifices to live within income and to cut expenses to pay off debt. One does not have to move to ‘Gilligan’s Island’ to do it. One does need to become a good steward, thrifty, and spending wisely.

Having gone through the budget, cutting expenses, one is ready for the next step…Pay off debt.