Living Debt Free
Veronica Diaz
Our world is dependent on loans. According to Motley Fool's
Credit Center, the average American has a credit card debt of
$8,562. It is common to see companies offer "low" interest loans
to entice us. Today, almost nobody worries about saving money
because we have failed to listen to the Lord. In His Word, He
talks about finances more than a thousand times, and if we knew
the Lord's will, we would prevent ourselves from getting loans.
Proverbs 22:7 in the NIV says, "The rich rule over the poor, and
the borrower is servant to the lender." There is no blessing to
get money through a loan.
On my way home from work, I often see many companies
offering opportunities to get a loan, yet, very few inviting you
to save your money. The Word of God says, "The blessing of the
LORD brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it" (Proverbs 10:22
NIV). I had to learn this the hard way. Making more money won't
let you do more things, if you don't have the Lord's blessings.
Years ago I was offered a very good position and took it. I
thought that by making more money I was going to have a better
life. However, a few years later I had borrowed a lot of money
because 1 thought, "Since I have a good job, I am going to be
able to pay off all these debts easily."
Soon, I found myself unable to do anything else but pay my
debts. I didn't have any money left for other things.
In Mexico, the law requires companies to pay workers a
special bonus called "aguinaldo" at the end of the year. Every
year I waited for it very anxiously, hoping to be able to catch
up and pay my debts, but this never happened. In fact, I was
becoming more and more in debt every year. I just couldn't handle
it any more. The interest payments alone were destroying me
financially.
But then, the Lord sent a man who helped me to pay all of my
debts. I know I will be able to pay him back, even though he is
not requesting it. And I am working on this goal even today.
Even though now I don't make that much money, I can say I have a
better life than I did before. I am enjoying a debt-free life.
Being in debt is one of the worse things you can experience.
The stress and tension it can cause are enormous burdens to
carry. So the key is to spend less than what you make, and you
will have enough to save and buy what you need. Also, saving
money allows you to better prepare for an emergency rather than
being forced to sell your belongings or get a loan with high
interest.
"The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and He adds no trouble
to it" (Proverbs 10:22 NIV).
.................
Veronica Diaz writes from Monterrey, Mexico.
June 2007 ACTS, a publication of the Churches of God, 7th Day,
Meridian, ID, USA.
