Getting out of Debt : It’s not about you (Part 1)
Why get out of debt?
God didn’t create us so that we could seek our own satisfaction.
I believe that God put each person down here for a reason and that reason is to bless others. In doing so, we will be blessed.
I have found in my own life that my most joyful moments often revolved around me helping or doing something to benefit another person. Meanwhile, my most painful, sorrowful, and sad moments were taking place when I was thinking about myself. Often times one of the quickest remedies to a struggle that we are having is to get our minds off ourselves and go do something for someone else.
So what does this have to do with getting out of debt? A whole lot actually. Your motivation for wanting to get out of debt should go beyond yourself. Sure, it will be awesome when you get to break out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and when you can buy that car with cash, but that is just part of it. God wants to use you to financially bless others! This is a very good thing because:
- Giving is one of the most fun and self-fulfilling activities you can be a part of.
- You are storing up treasure in Heaven for eternity, rather than down here for a few more years (Matthew 6:20).
- Giving is a great way to burn selfishness out of your life.
- When you give, it will be given back to you in abundance (Luke 6:38)!
You must have something to give!
If you are like most Christians I have met, you want to be able to give more. You have a good heart and wish you could give more. You really want to be able to bless people and give more to your church. But again, if you are like most that I have met, you are thinking, “it is hard enough just to pay the bills each month, let alone give to others the way I would like to.”
This is exactly why you need to get out of debt!
Imagine how much easier it would be to give if you didn’t have any credit card payments, or car payments, or even (dare I say it) a mortgage payment—this has been my motivation over the last few years! This is where you and I are headed!
It is not actually our money
Our money is really not our own. We are merely stewards of what we have been given by God (read the Parable of the Talents for a refresher.) Even if you insist on saying that you worked hard to earn it, who gave you your brain, the hands you used, and even the air you put in your lungs?
We came into the world with nothing, we will leave with nothing. It is all God’s (Psalm 89:11). We have the priveledge of being stewards. When we are slack or wasteful with our money, it is not our money we are wasting, but Gods. It is not only ourselves that we hinder but others as well.
Yes the thought of being out of debt is fun to think about, but the main purpose for our getting out of debt is to benefit the Kingdom of God.
God didn’t set this thing up so that we just sit back as spectators, and it also isn’t just about what we can do with our strength. We have a part to play and so does God. The Bible says that we are co-laborers with Him (1 Corinthians 3:9). We need to be giving to fund and finance the Kingdom of God - how much more effective are we going to be if we are out of debt?
Psalm 67:7
“God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth may fear Him.”
In the Getting out of Debt series, there are going to be 6 more articles that will walk you through what you need to do to get out of debt. These are the things I am actually doing myself and found them to be the most helpful. Let me warn you upfront, working to be debt free is NOT easy. It requires sacrifices. It requires a fight. But anything in life that is worth having is going to require a fight. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!! Don’t grow weary in well doing!!
If you ever have any questions or need encouragement - shoot me an email and we can talk.
The other 6 Steps to getting out of debt
- Getting out of Debt (Step 2) - Open your mind
- Getting out of Debt (Step 3) - Creating a balance sheet
- Getting out of Debt (Step 4) - How to quit spending
- Getting out of Debt (Step 5) - 15 ways to cut expenses
- Getting out of Debt (Step 6) - Make sacrifices
- Getting out of Debt (Step 7) - Debt Snowball
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Comments on Getting out of Debt : It’s not about you (Part 1) »
This is really great and I’m looking forward to this series tremendously. It’s so easy to just get focused on getting out of debt for personal reasons. But giving is wonderful! I’m so thankful that I’m able to tithe at my church. It is definitely rewarding knowing that I’m contributing to God’s work.
@James
You are right - I really believe that our most fulfilling and joyful times in life will be when we are giving!!
What a great way to start this series: with giving!
I believe that the purpose for which we were created was to bless God and glorify Him, not first and foremost to bless others. Blessing others is certainly one way that we bless God, and we are commanded to do so in the Bible. I believe we should always be God-centered, not man-centered. But certainly your conclusions are right on. Great post, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Bob…thanks for this…thanks for sharing your heart’s passion to keep Christ as the center as we are His stewards of all things! I look forward to this series and moving toward getting out from under th things of this world in order to live more freely through Christ!
@Luke
thanks for pointing that out- I am in complete agreement with you - although after reading what I wrote it could have given another impression.
Ultimately, my goal with my life and this series is to show how giving is such an important part of our lives. We have the priveledge to finance God’s kingdom and to bless the lives of others - God could do it all Himself if he wanted, but out of His great love He lets us work as co-laborers with Him!
Bob,
This is a great piece here. Your message is something a lot of Christians need to hear, and you do a great job with it. Keep up the good work. I look forward to the rest of this series!
@Luke:
I would say blessing others is the main way we bless God. Look at all the examples Jesus gave us - the majority of them had to do with how we treat others. There’s a personal side to our relationship with God, but our love for God is often expressed in our love for other people. But I do agree with your main point - that we are here for God and all we have and do should be used to glorify Him.
Very well said. Giving is so important and something we intend on talking more about.
Just a quick note to congratulate you and for this fine article. The article was included in the September edition of the ‘Blog Carnival of Christian Family Information Exchange’. To view the Carnival visit:
http://olinepublishing.blogspot.com/2008/09/september-edition-of-blog-carnival-of.html
Please consider writing an article each month and submit it to us at blog carnival! Thanks and God bless!
Theresa Twogood
I have been a member of Christian PF for some time now and I love everything about it.
I think this site teaches us to Love one another the way a Christian should love.
Thank you for letting me be a part of this…
@Mike,
thanks for the kind words - I really appreciate it! I am glad you are here!
What a great post. The more I read on this site the more I like it. Simple, straightforward advice and it works.
thanks God for this site..amen I luv it..and i know it can help me..
Bob,
Wow! That was a quick response! Thanks.
I just went back to your website. This could fall into the “I am blind.” department, but I cannot seem to find the “PRINT” button you mentioned in your email.
Brad
PS do you have a direct email address that I could use in Outlook instead of going through the website?
I agree, when we sit down to help people do a written budget and start with “Giving”, they think we are crazy. However, once the thinking changes and the speaking changes and the actions change, wow!
The giving proves Him. I am enjoying the similar teaching methods, makes me know we are on the right track. Have a blessed day.