Hey there, sorry I bailed on you for a few days. I promise you’ll get all 31 Days to Reducing Your Debt. It just looks like they’ll go into February now. Anywho, the King of Free has had the shingles and just has returned to work today. So my world’s been a little bit upside down. Regardless, let’s continue thinking through reducing your debt.
Day 7: Ask for Help or Debt is Spiritual
Warning: I’m kind of going to get my preach on in this post. I think it’s worth reading regardless (but then again I’m writing it). Do know that not all posts will sound like this one that I’m writing for this series. But what you read is what you get.
I strongly believe debt is spiritual. And I don’t think that anyone would argue that spending can be just as addictive as alcohol, drugs, eating, smoking, dark chocolate, exercise (enter your own personal demon here). Even the most basic 12 Step Programs endorse requesting help from a higher power. So why should debt repayment be any different? Spending can be compulsive. Whether it’s a huge savings or something we’ve always dreamed of purchasing, there is a cathartic release when it comes to buying something.
Sometimes (not always) it’s followed by remorse.
Sometimes (not always) it feels like we’re not even the one in control.
And if you’re spending money that’s not yours *cough* credit cards *cough*, then quite honestly you have an addiction.
I’ve never made any bones about the fact that I’m into Jesus. I love my church. I love my community.
And it’s hard to admit that you’ve made a mess in life to anyone – yourself, your spouse, your friends, your family, your neighbors. And sometimes it’s very, very hard to admit to even a loving Creator that you have screwed your finances up. You can’t give like you want to because you simply are stretched too far. You don’t have peace that the Bible describes because you’re overwhelmed with the what ifs of life.
Now obviously the Bible doesn’t say much about whether you should sign up for that Target VISA to get the extra 10% off today or not (just say NO!). However, it does say plenty of things about debt:
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” Luke 14:28
“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8
“It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.” Ecclesiastes 5:5
So you might say, c’mon now. You’re just picking the verses you like to prove a point. And while that may be true, I’d love for you to find a single verse that says borrow way more than you make so that you can lead a lifestyle that is above your earning. Or happiness comes to he or she that loans her butt off (my rough style of translation lacks beauty). It’s just not in there.
I believe paying off debt takes supernatural intervention. And that’s why we have step by step tried as hard as we can (and failed many times) to give the process over to the God who wastes nothing – not one experience, not one life, not one creation is a waste in His eyes. Many times, we’ve asked for God’s help.
And we’ve asked for help from others, too. Not financial dollar sign sort of help but prayerful help and wisdom help and accountability help and gracious help.
And help has abounded.
It only does when you ask, though. Start asking today.
[…] God’s assistance while paying off debt is daunting. I’ve written about the ways I feel debt is spiritual and how essential asking for forgiveness was on our journey. But I’m not sure I’ve […]