Debt Free Living

I can't give any scripture at the moment, but when I lived in Miami, Florida, I used to listen to the local Christian radio station and they aired a segment called "Money Matters" which was awesome! I believe they have a website, but unfortunately I don't know what it is (I'm alot help huh?)

Anyway, I do recall once hearing the gentleman on the program mention that the Bible makes reference to finances and money more so than it does Heaven and Hell. I don't know if this is true, but it would be worth checking out.

Kathy
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You were listening to Larry Burkett, Kathy. Here is the website: http://www.crown.org/

Proverbs 22:7 says the borrower is servant to the lender.

Jesus says you cannot follow or worship both Him and money.

Put those two together and at least make any debts you have very short term (like paying off your credit card in full at the end of each month) except, perhaps, for the mortgage and a vehicle to get to work to earn the money to pay the mortgage...

I used to listen to Burkett all the time. There is a tremendous sense of freedom in not owing money. Buy carefully, use wisely, and prefer cheap entertainment. That works pretty much for us.

 

Debt free for the most part, except for the new car which cost almost as much as my house did new But hey, one has to have some pleasure in life, as long as it is balanced and you can afford it in your budget right? Zoom, zoom, zoom!!!

 

I'll be 32 thousand dollars in dept by June. Hey, I had to get an education some how.

 

We try to live as debt free as we can. We paid out right for our car(good used, not too much $$), If we buy a pices of furniture, we try to buy it out right, or pay as much down as possable. There are time debt can not be avoided, like when our stove bit the dust and was beyond repair. We have always paid our dent off early. We have no negative credit. We'd like to buy a house, but will have to wait now till our son gets out of jail, it's so expensive, we haven't got much left now each month.
Like it or not, we are always in debt though. I think we should not be over welmed by debt to the point that we do wothout other necessary items. I have a freind who always has so much debt they can hardy pay thier bills, and don't have enough to take good care of their children. He is always going to those rnt it places, and buying stuff, and you end up paying twice what it costs elsewhere. But he can't stand not having something someone else has. They are full and totally controlled by their debt.

 

Joy, great topic! We were also in debt during an earlier time in our married life, though not quite as much as you. We did just as you by cutting out unnecessary expenses, and paying off the most costly debts first. The year we got out of debt, the Lord allowed us to buy our first house:cool which we would not have been able to do while in debt). Since then we have maintained a policy of minimal debt only for large cost items (house, car). We have several bank credit cards and use them regularly, but we have not had a interest payment in years. Being debt free is a tremendous feeling of freedom.

In addition God has used me to counsel a number of couples in financial matters and help them get out of debt. Some people cannot handle credit and should only work on a cash only basis.

The Bible is certainly true, "The borrower is servant to the lender." Jesus was right when he spoke of the "care of riches." Matthew 6:33 is still a great principle, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

Keep in the Word!

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Helen:
You were listening to Larry Burkett, Kathy. Here is the website: http://www.crown.org/ <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks Helen!

Kathy
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I know some people don't like loans at all and think its bad to be in debt. BUT I believe that just because a person is in debt does not make them a servant to money. For instance my parents periodically take out loans. And because they have always paid everything on time they have such an excellent credit rating that banks fight over them when they choose to take loans out. Instead of working for the money, they make the money work for them. I think they have given me an excellent example of how to handle money.

I do understand what some of you mean that some people should not have a credit card. At this point I am one of them!!! I find it so easy to spend money, though thankfully I have never been in debt, and I'm almost through two years of school

UNP
Adam

 

Paul said be in debt to no man accept the debt of love. This is scripture its one of those passages nobody really wants to follow since it would mean that we might have to change the way we live. Ive heard many justifacations for ignoring this but in the end it says what it says regardless of what we think, or want.
PS It is possible even in this day and age to live totally debt free [including owing nothing on your house]. We sleep alot better these days owing nothing but love.

 

I had a real problem with credit card debt. I contacted a non-profit debt-management agency and they have really helped me take control. In 5 yrs. these debts will be paid off. I have had to ask God's forgiveness for using those cards unwisely. When you don't know how you are going to pay your bills, it can really mess with your nerves. Now I can sleep at night and give my full attention to the Lord and not worry all the time. Please pray for me.

Your sister in Christ, Susanpet, VA

 

My husband and I are in process of getting out of debt. We have been married for 8 years and for 6 years I preached to him about using credit when we should rely on God. Well, as it always goes, God finally taught the lesson He was trying to teach ME.
I quit preaching, submitted to my husband as unto the Lord, (even though I knew I knew more than my husband did about spiritual things) and now we are digging out of the bondage of debt. Would have been alot less painful had we learned the lessons the easier way. Now we can pass the information on to others, which if history repeats itself, they will have to learn the hard way too.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> PS It is possible even in this day and age to live totally debt free [including owing nothing on your house]. We sleep alot better these days owing nothing but love. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


If your going to own a house, and are not rich, then thats going to be very hard. That would mean saving most of your life to own a house in the last few years of your life. I don't owe because we rent, we would like to own, and will be tring again.

Think of debt this way. Everytime you get a bill in the mail, you owe someone. If you went and paid it on the very first day it arrives in your mail box, you are already in debt again towards next months bill. So you will never live today totally debt free.

It has to be done wisely. Balancing the needs with the wants. And knowing what you can afford to pay for.