dhalltoyo
Veteran Expediter
If you’re looking to get out of debt – and stay out – you’ve probably heard and read a lot of great advice. But if you just pay off the physical debt and don’t deal with your heart, chances are good you’ll get back into debt sometime in the future.
Last time, we discussed how forgiving the debt owed to you is one major step you have to take to ultimately stay out of debt forever. This doesn’t just include financial debts, but any debt of wrongdoing or injustice.
We see in Luke 16 the story of the unrighteous servant. The story is about a man who squanders the possessions of his master. The master finds out, fires the man, and demands an accounting. The story goes on to tell how the man went to those who owed his master money and reduced their debt, presumably cutting out his own profit.
The story definitely confirms the point we discussed last week about forgiving those who are indebted to you. But it goes far beyond that in verse 13, where the Bible says,”No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
In other words, the story is about authority. You see, we all serve a master. We either serve God or we serve something else. But we can’t serve both. And significant debt, especially unsecured debt, is a symptom that we’re serving the wrong master.
Interestingly, the same verse is found in Matthew 6:24. This time, though, it’s not part of a parable. It’s part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Christ relates it directly to the condition of your heart (“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21). He tells us that debt is a heart condition.
So to get out of debt and stay out, we have to submit our heart to the right master. We have to do so completely and without reservation. It also means we have to submit to any authority that God has put over us.
It’s not a coincidence that many college students get into debt. They’ve left the protective authority of their parents and often don’t submit to any other authority. But children who stay under their parents’ authority during this time are much less likely to get into debt.
It doesn’t really matter how old you are, though. Anyone who isn’t under the authority of their local church sets themselves up for financial troubles. And spouses who don’t submit to each other are more vulnerable to debt, as well.
If you’re in debt, ask the Lord to examine your heart and show you any seeds of rebellion that have sprouted up in your heart. If there are any, repent, ask forgiveness, and seek reconciliation where necessary. It could make a huge difference in your finances.
Next time, we’ll look at the third biblical step to getting out of debt forever.
– Steve Kroening
Last time, we discussed how forgiving the debt owed to you is one major step you have to take to ultimately stay out of debt forever. This doesn’t just include financial debts, but any debt of wrongdoing or injustice.
We see in Luke 16 the story of the unrighteous servant. The story is about a man who squanders the possessions of his master. The master finds out, fires the man, and demands an accounting. The story goes on to tell how the man went to those who owed his master money and reduced their debt, presumably cutting out his own profit.
The story definitely confirms the point we discussed last week about forgiving those who are indebted to you. But it goes far beyond that in verse 13, where the Bible says,”No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
In other words, the story is about authority. You see, we all serve a master. We either serve God or we serve something else. But we can’t serve both. And significant debt, especially unsecured debt, is a symptom that we’re serving the wrong master.
Interestingly, the same verse is found in Matthew 6:24. This time, though, it’s not part of a parable. It’s part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Christ relates it directly to the condition of your heart (“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21). He tells us that debt is a heart condition.
So to get out of debt and stay out, we have to submit our heart to the right master. We have to do so completely and without reservation. It also means we have to submit to any authority that God has put over us.
It’s not a coincidence that many college students get into debt. They’ve left the protective authority of their parents and often don’t submit to any other authority. But children who stay under their parents’ authority during this time are much less likely to get into debt.
It doesn’t really matter how old you are, though. Anyone who isn’t under the authority of their local church sets themselves up for financial troubles. And spouses who don’t submit to each other are more vulnerable to debt, as well.
If you’re in debt, ask the Lord to examine your heart and show you any seeds of rebellion that have sprouted up in your heart. If there are any, repent, ask forgiveness, and seek reconciliation where necessary. It could make a huge difference in your finances.
Next time, we’ll look at the third biblical step to getting out of debt forever.
– Steve Kroening