If our debt burden is substantial, many times it can be traced to our desire to jump ahead. We choose to have something (usually a want instead of a need) now, rather than waiting until we have the money available. This jumping ahead lays a trap for ourselves two ways, by relying on tomorrow’s money to pay for things of the past, and by reducing our sense of contentment that God desires us to have. Read I Timothy 6:6-8. It concludes by stating “if we have food and clothing… we shall be content”.
Visible – Look at your expenses over the last couple of months and make an honest judgment to what extent they were wants vs. needs, and if they involved jumping ahead to have that thing now instead of waiting to pay in cash for it. If we wait to make that purchase, we may discover our desire is not so strong for it after all. If we also look in our garages, basements and closets, we will likely find many things (not just exercise equipment) that proved to be unimportant or not needed.
Invisible – Ask God to give you wisdom in assessing your spending. James 1:5 encourages us to come to Him – “If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God Who gives to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly…” God’s Word tells us the Holy Spirit is our Counselor (read John 14:26). Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when you are considering a sizeable purchase decision, He will lead you forth correctly by peace for that decision and peace with the results afterward.
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
