As noted in yesterday’s reading, the enemy tries his best to convince us to fill any and all voids/holes in our soul with things that are from the world.
The devil’s ways are cunning, baffling, and powerful. He knows if we need “things,” which cost us money to fill our void, we will eventually become over-extended.
Debt in America is a huge problem as statistics show the average American holds 50% more debt today than he did a decade ago and the number continues to rise.
When I crashed and burned at the age of 28 we were carrying significant debt and actually lived off of credit cards for the first couple of years of my sobriety while we got our feet back under us. (The debt was created by me–not my wife).
A key part of my recovery included getting out of debt because the fears associated with debt were dangerous to my sobriety.
Once I was able to go back to work full time, my wife and I decided our first step in getting out of debt was to begin giving 10% of our earnings back to our church and others in need. I know this doesn’t make sense, but I’ve found God doesn’t always make sense. If you want to grow your faith–try doing all the “nonsensical” things God tells you to do.
After faithfully tithing (giving at least 10% of our earnings to God and His people) and reducing our debt over a twenty year period, the feeling I had when my wife and I said good-bye to debt forever was better than any feeling any drug ever gave me during my dark days as an addict.
The bondage to debt is a horrible feeling and the devil wants us to feel horrible. Tick off the devil and stop the debt cycle TODAY!
If you don’t know where to start, try this:
- Give 10% of your income to God, whether it be a church or a cause which helps His people. DO THIS FIRST.
- Write down all your expenses and then compare them to your income.
- You will need to reduce your expenses and/or increase your income so that your expenses make up no more than 80% of your income.
- Take 10% of what is left over and save it for a rainy day.
- But most importantly begin filling the void in your soul with God through prayer instead of things.
- Also, check out www.crown.org
Luke 14:28 (NIV), “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it.”
Reflection:
What beliefs, thoughts and actions cause you to struggle with debt?
Additional Scripture to read and reflect upon: Proverbs 22:7, Romans 13:8, 1 Timothy 6:10
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
