When I speak of debt, and it’s dangers I refer to debt that either presumes upon the future (I’ll purchase this because I’m bound to make more in the future) or debt that puts us upside down, meaning we owe more then we own.
This type of debt is dangerous. It creates an environment of stress, fear, worry, and tension. It can hurt relationships and is one of the major causes of divorce and marital problems.With an overload of debt, we focus on survival instead of vision and contribution. We reduce our future standard of living. We think only of the immediate and not the long term.
For years I’ve made this statement and have lived by these words. Do the things you need to do when you need to do them, and there will come a time when you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them. But if you don’t do the things you need to do when you need to do them there will never come a time that you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them. With that said, how can we minimize our debt?
Practice delayed gratification. Ask yourself, is this a need or a want? Instant gratification is emotionally driven, but delayed gratification is character driven.
Practice contentment. We think that happiness comes through things, “if I only had this, or that.” Hebrews 13:5, “Keep yourself free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.” How can we be content? Because we have Him! So there’s no reason to compare what we have to what others have because we have Him.
Practice significance. Significance and security can’t come from things or people it can only come from God. Paul said in Philippians 4:11 “I have learned in whatever state I’m in to be content” then he went on to say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” he found his significance and security in his relationship with Jesus.
This subject is too vital to our lives and one we deal with daily, my series called “Biblical Economics” deals with all aspects and will give you keys to financial freedom. Download it today.
