My son, don’t make
yourself responsible for the debts of others. Don’t make such deals with
friends or strangers. 2 If you do, your words will trap you. 3 You
will be under the power of other people, so you must go and free yourself. Beg
them to free you from that debt. 4 Don’t wait to rest or sleep.
5 Escape from that trap like a deer running from a hunter. Free
yourself like a bird flying from a trap. (Proverbs 6:1-5, ERV)
What
God says about debt:
·
Debt enslaves a person to a creditor.
If you borrow money with
interest, you’ll end up serving the interests of your creditors for the rich rule over the poor. (Proverbs 22:7, TPT)
·
Debt ensnares a person in an earning trap.
Unless you have the extra cash on
hand, don’t countersign a note. Why risk everything you own? They’ll even take
your bed. (Proverbs 22:26-27, TLB)
·
Debt elicits guilt.
“You cannot serve two masters at the
same time. You will hate one and love the other, or you will be loyal to one
and not care about the other. You cannot serve God and Money at the same time. (Matthew 6:24, ERV)
·
Debt erases giving opportunities.
Whenever you are able, do good to
people who need help. (Proverbs 3:27, ICB)
·
Debt exposes character flaws.
Keep your lives free from the
love of money, and be content with what you have because He has said, “I will
never leave you; I will always be by your side.” (Hebrews 13:5, VOICE)
·
Debt erodes our Christian witness.
Being respected is more important
than having great riches. To be well thought of is better than owning silver or
gold. (Proverbs 22:1, ICB)
What
do you need to do to get out of debt as quickly as you can?
1.
Make a decision.
2.
Make a plan.
3.
Find an accountability partner.
4.
Give yourself time.
Your spiritual debt of sin has been paid in full
through the blood of Jesus Christ.The payment for sin is death. But God gives us the free gift of life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23, ICB)
“When God blesses you
financially, don’t raise your standard of living. Raise your standard of
giving.” (Mark Batterson)[i]
[i] Inspired by the sermon “Freeing God’s Money: Managing
God’s Money” (installment three) Sunday January 19,
2020, Pastor Dave Jansen, CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH.
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