Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. Proverbs 22:26-27
“Contracting debts is like the man who goes to sea without a compass; he may steer clear of rocks, sand-bars, a lee shore, and breakers, but the chances are greatly against him; and if he runs foul of either, ten to one he is lost.”
L. Carroll Judson in Day’s Collacon, compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 166.
Yesterday I received an email from a friend expressing gratitude for the recent posts on debt. He wrote, “We’ve paid cash for everything for over a year. We’ve increased our giving as well…We praise the Lord for His strength and courage to tackle this issue FINALLY!”
That friend found a “compass” and has charted a course to get out of debt. The Lord has supplied strength and courage and, don’t miss this, he and his wife have been able to increase their giving. They are sailing out of debt while joyfully and obediently storing up treasures in heaven.
What about you? Calculate how much interest you paid on all indebtedness last year. Include everything from mortgage interest to other forms like car debt, credit card debt, etc… Total up the number. Now compare that number to your total giving for the same year.
Look at how much charitable giving you claimed on your taxes last year plus any other giving. This is how much you stored up in heaven. If you are not keeping track, start today. Remember, it’s not your money, it’s God’s and someday you will have give an account.
What you do from this day forward is up to you. I suggest you take a moment and pray a simple prayer to make the first figure go away (debt and interest) and help the second one rise (giving). We do this by getting a compass (a plan) and charting a course.
May God supply the strength and courage you need in abundance. You got this!