Finding Financial Freedom, Part 2
By Jeff Cranston
Do you want to get out of debt and find financial freedom? If so, God has a very simple debt reduction plan. Read Proverbs 6:1-11, NLT.
In this passage, the Proverbs writer makes this point: If you want to get out of debt, you’re going to have to get serious, get angry and get focused and do whatever it takes. You have to attack it and eliminate it fast.
Look at verse three again in the NIV translation: “So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion—and give your neighbor no rest!
In the Hebrew language, the word “exhaustion” literally means, “throw yourself down.” It’s a powerful image. It’s meant to convey exhaustion, but also a sense of humility.
The Message paraphrase presents verse three like this: Dear friend, if you've gone into hock … don't waste a minute, get yourself out of that mess. I think it is saying that if you let yourself get into debt, the only way to get out is to do three things:
1. Humble yourself.
You’re going to have to swallow your pride; admit that you’re in a bit of a fix. This calls for a downgrade in lifestyle. This is a time when you choose to go without and live within your means. You stop buying things you can’t afford.
Climbing out of debt is humbling, but it is worth it. We know God blesses the humble. His Word tells us that when we humble ourselves under His mighty hand, that He will lift us up! (1 Peter 5:6)
2. Develop a thrifty lifestyle.
How can you live more frugally as you climb out of debt toward freedom? Let me suggest a few ideas:
Ditch the expensive car. The average person in the U.S. spends $483 a month on a new car payment and $361 on a used car payment. Add in gas, repairs, insurance, taxes, and more, and that number is going to be much larger. Remove that from your life and drive something you can afford.
Be happy with what you have. The next time you think that you can't survive without something, be honest with yourself about whether or not that’s actually true. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy life and have a good time. You can still live a great life while on a budget. Money doesn't have to dictate how much you enjoy life.
Don’t waste money trying to impress others. For some, this may mean buying a nicer car than you can afford, moving into that McMansion, having THAT kitchen, acquiring THAT purse, buying THOSE golf clubs or shoes, and on and on. Now, this doesn’t mean that you can't buy nice things. I am just saying that you need to be realistic with your spending and truthfully tell yourself whether you need or even want that item, or if you are just trying to impress someone else.
3. Get off thy buttocks!
Read Proverbs 6:9-11 again. To paraphrase: “How can you sleep in when you are in debt? Get out of bed and go get a job! Find extra money!”
If you are struggling with debt today, I wonder if this will be the day when you say, “Enough is enough. It changes today!” Are you willing to commit today to make that happen? If so, Financial Peace University can show you how! This nine-week class begins Monday, January 27, at LCC, and it includes video lessons featuring Dave Ramsey, Rachel Cruze, and Chris Hogan. You will learn how to budget, pay off debt, invest for the future and more!
Jeff Cranston is lead pastor at LowCountry Community Church in Bluffton, South Carolina.
