Purpose Drowned in Debt

Today, spending and borrowing are promoted, and saving is discouraged. God's principles promote saving for future needs, not borrowing or using credit.  Avoid hasty decisions, and ignore the "buy now, before it's too late" pitches. "The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless only becomes poor" (Proverbs 21:5). One of the best disciplines parents can teach their children is to work and save to reach a goal.


While these are simple steps, often excessive indebtedness makes life difficult. That's why it's so important to develop and live by a budget -- a financial plan. "Poverty and disgrace [come to] those who ignore instruction, but the one who accepts rebuke will be honored" (Proverbs 13:18).


Families that live by sound financial principles will demonstrate financial freedom for their children and help them grow up with the knowledge of how they should live by God's principles.


With consistent teaching and discipline it could take less than a generation to break the financial bondage under which so many Christians live. And, it would free them to fund the work of the Lord. After all, that's what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you."


Remember, those mounting monthly payments aren't as "easy" to make as they are alleged to be, and being debt free is God's plan for His people. No one who is financially bound can be spiritually free.


Excerpt from Crown Financial Ministries, http://www.crown.org/Library/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=109