It is a solemn statement that we make, that many of those whose names are enrolled in church registers are becoming more trapped in the financial systems of earth, and therefore, when the mark of the beast engulfs these systems, many who now profess to be Christians will sink down into oblivion. There is still hope, but very drastic and deliberate measures will need to be taken to extricate ourselves from the snares of debt that have been set for our feet.
According to the latest research most of American families cannot handle an unexpected emergency of five-hundred dollars, and according to the New York Fed, Non-housing balances increased by $58 billion in the fourth quarter of the previous year, with auto loans increasing by $9 billion, credit card balances going up by $26 billion, and student loan balances by $15 billion. Thus, household debt stood at 13.54 trillion as of 2018.
And even though there may seem to be resources in abundance, more, and more families are becoming addicted to the snare of plastic, by which many are induced to live beyond their means. As a result, the restrictions imposed by the use of cold cash, have been traded for a sort of dream spending, by which people are enticed to borrow without thought, and the sure result is, that for the most part, many folks become sucked into a bottomless financial pit, from which it is increasingly difficult to escape.
Thus, financial debt is likened unto weight-gain, for it takes very little effort to put on, but tremendous effort to get rid of. It isn’t and never has been God’s will for His people to become trapped in monetary systems which do not bear His stamp of approval. In fact, the habit of borrowing money which we know we cannot pay back will prove the ruin of millions if decided action is not taken.
When we speak of the monetary system, it is to be understood by all, that the system of itself, can be used if godly principles and Biblical instructions are employed to offset the inherent evils those systems are built upon. Since the day that Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden tree most of the inventions of man are tainted with good and evil. Therefore, it is the will of God that we understand the differences and make wise choices that are guided by His word.
For instance, the use of credit is often employed to purchase a home, a new car or any of the big-ticket items which in many instances, as far paying cash is concerned, may be out of reach to the average john doe. Thus, credit can be used for good. But coupled together with that good, comes the evil practice of pre-payment penalty, by which financial institutions often punish consumers for paying their debt early. Now, why should folks be punished for doing right?
Again, credit-card customers who pay all their dues on time each month do not feed the profit margins as those who pay late, and banks profit quite a lot from folks who write bounced checks. In fact, it is quite alarming that banks made over 34 billion in profits just from overdraft fees in the year 2017 and credit-card companies hauled in over 163 billion in late fees in 2016.
Therefore, while much good can be accomplished if the system is used discreetly, very much evil is often the result as the institutions prey on character flaws such as tardiness, covetousness, impulse spending, and general lack of self-discipline. Not one store, car company, credit-card institution, or grocery chain, can force us to spend beyond our means, because the choice is ours.
However, by careful research and observation, it is now firmly established that many use their freedom of choice in ways that cause individuals to become entangled or trapped in financial systems, that can be used for good. Thus, even though Eden is 6000 years in the past, many people are still eating from the tree of good and evil.
The financial institutions are keenly aware of this, and thus, their advertisements are geared towards urging the multitudes to become entangled in their systems, using words and phrases such as call now, hurry, hurry, this sale won’t last, time is running out or just click now, etc.
The sad thing about this situation is that, with our Bibles in hand, many Christians are in a stranglehold of debt, which will become more difficult for us to extricate ourselves from, if we do not make radical changes in our habits and behaviors.
In addition, Christians who are living in the last days of earth’s history will find it quite difficult to escape, (just like Lot’s family), when the mark of the beast overspreads the land, because if we are found to be drowning in debt, the enemy of souls will be all too willing to cut a deal with us. Let’s read:
[The Great Controversy pp 607] As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more, bold, the law will be invoked against commandment-keepers. and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith.
Therefore, if anyone listening today finds himself or herself in the unfortunate situation of endless, and revolving debt, the study for this evening can be of great benefit, if implemented in cooperation with God. A well-thought out plan of action must be put in place, no excuses must be made, and no one else must be blamed.
When once we confess our faults to God, and He sets before us a blessing and a curse, let us never return to our old ways, but let us rather determine to live in accordance with the principles God has given us. Some drastic measures, and actions may be required in certain instances, but if we stay the course with Christ, He will grant us the victory. The Bible puts it this way. Let’s read:
Matthew 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
This is what is described as the cold-turkey method. This may trigger severe restrictions in our previous spending habits; it may force us to regroup as far as actual needs versus wants are concerned, or it may force us to start budgeting to live within our means, a work that has too long been neglected, but in the end it will produce results that God can approve.
In other words, we must grab the bull by the horns, stop living in a dream, and then make the necessary changes through the power and grace of Christ. The well-directed, and sustained efforts, on a consistent basis will produce positive results and wherever the freedom from debt is achieved, a heavy burden will be lifted from off many shoulders. Let’s read:
Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
The following therefore are some of the steps one can take in getting out of debt. The pointers would feature prominently the principles and instructions God will have us live by, and the Bible will provide the much-needed promises that accompany all our efforts in doing the right thing.
[1] Pray first, asking God to guide us in the implementation of a workable plan.
Putting God in the driver’s seat, and keeping Him there will assure us of consistency, discipline and success, for whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world. We should try to avoid doing the right thing on our own, for we may be doomed to failure from the get-go. But with Jesus in the vessel, we are assured of victory, for we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Let’s read:
Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
1st John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Romans 8:37 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
[2] Reconcile our outflows with our inflows.
This will call for strict discipline, because too often we spend unnecessarily, on the spur of the moment or in the heat of excitement when there is a sale. At those moments, our imaginary wants which we can do without, have the potential to become the most urgent needs, and before you know it, there we go again in the vicious cycle. No one needs to purchase an item just because it’s on sale, the choice is ours!
If one’s income is $4000,00 per month, everything that pertains to living including tithes and offerings will have to reconciled to that amount. Unnecessary frills and non-essentials would have to be identified, and deep cuts in our spending may have to be made to bring inflow into harmony with outflow.
“Blings” and “things” may need to be surrendered, and the habit of eating out may have to be curtailed or severely restricted, because the fact is that four- grand is four grand, and nothing else. If any person cannot live within their means, such a person would never be debt free, plain and simple. Let’s read:
Proverbs 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
1st Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things.
[A.H pp 393] Deny yourself a thousand things rather than run in debt. Avoid it as you would smallpox. Make a solemn covenant with God that by His blessing you will pay your debts and then owe no man anything even if you live on porridge and bread.
[3] Avoid becoming entangled in the wanton use of plastic.
Emancipation from financial slavery should be the goal of anyone currently entangled in the snare of debt. It has been documented that it is much easier to use plastic than to spend your cold cash, and as a result, many persons spend without thought, that a day of reckoning is coming.
Therefore, if we know that we lack the discipline of restraint, credit cards should be promptly cut up in small pieces and burnt on the altar of sacrifice, for keeping them will do us more harm than good. The Bible recommends the cold-turkey method when we are dealing with dangerous habits, and radical changes in our behaviors will be needed.
Plastic may be used in a number of ways by which much benefit can be accomplished, but if for some reason we discover that in our particular situation it has become more of a curse than a blessing, then it may be time to part ways with that which is hurting us and our families. No one will die because of the absence of plastic, and its confiscation may prove to be the day of new beginnings. Let’s read:
Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Deuteronomy 15:6 For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.
Psalms 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again…
[4] Save for the rainy day.
Whenever money is earned a stipulated percentage should be set aside for times of real emergency, so that ourselves and our families would not go under because of one unforeseen emergency. It is stated that millions of people are just one medical crisis away from financial ruin, and because a cushion is not present, some may inadvertently fall into the cycle of debt.
Thus, proactive measures must be taken wherever possible to avert as much as possible an unforeseen crisis that may arise. This instruction is particularly applicable to those who run their own businesses, where late-paying customers can put the viability of one’s business at risk, especially when there isn’t a cushion.
One’s workers should be paid with monies that are set aside for that purpose, so that if for any reason there is a hiccup in inflow, the business will not go under. Many have thus been forced out of business and have faced financial embarrassments because there is not any cushion on which to fall back on, when the going gets rough. Thus, the instructions God gives to us is wisdom, and should be adopted whenever, and wherever possible. Let’s read:
Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Deuteronomy 28:5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto.
[5] Be very circumspect when asked to stand security for family members, church brethren, or friends.
A person may be approached with such and such a proposal, with a request to stand security in such and such a situation, and in many cases one’s better nature may move him or her to offer the needed help. This can be done in certain circumstances, but it must always be prayerfully, and carefully thought out, with the risks, the pros, and the cons being weighed in an objective manner.
Very often, the emotional or social attachments are allowed to override sound judgment and sometimes hasty answers or decisions, without prayer can thus prove to be a problem. Therefore, The Lord would have us exercise good discretion in every instance, with mercy and kindness being blended with good common sense, because kindness is never foolish. Let’s read:
Proverbs 6:1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
Proverbs 11:15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
Proverbs 17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
On the other hand there must be a balance in our method of evaluating each situation, for we should never forget that God delights in mercy. There are times when standing security for someone may be warranted, if and when God directs. There is not a hard and fast rule, written in stone, which forbids standing security, but with prayer, discretion, and sound judgement every case may be addressed.
At such times, we should make certain that we can actually absorb any potential risks without going under, and if so, then we should move forward. Kindness and mercy are hallmark characteristics of God, and Christians are to follow His lead when it is appropriate to do so. Let’s read:
Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Deuteronomy 15:7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother.
8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore, I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
Psalms 112:5 A good man sheweth favor, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
If these scriptural instructions are followed in a consistent manner, with petitions being made to God for wisdom in handling every situation, those who are now trapped in debt will have won a great victory, and thereby will glorify God on the issue of debt. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to look and live. Let’s read:
Proverbs 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise man will hear and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.
God Bless!