Debt Free

The other day, I was imparting some "Do as I say, not as I did" wisdom to my niece about the danger of credit cards.

I warned her about scams, pre-approvals, interest, and the importance of building credit wisely.

I told her my story of how I needed to get four jobs to pay off my debt because I was too impulsive and foolish when I was her age.

I was having fun and living in the moment.  

Until I wasn't and had to adult my way out of my childish choices.

While I had her captivated attention (probably not, but hey, it's my story), I then launched into a profound lecture about the sneaky lure of sin.

Pre-approved credit cards tell consumers, “Hey, it's great. You are such an awesome person who deserves to get what you want and spend all this money. Look at you all fancy!”

You'd have to get your Grandpa's extra magnifying reading glasses to see the small print about the crushing debt with the 30% accumulating interest that will happen if you don't have the money to pay the balance right away.

And that trap keeps getting us.

“Come on, you need a bigger house, a fancier car, more stuff. You deserve it. You’ll be happy once you get what you want!”

That's just how sin gets ya.

The lie of deserving more cripples us with debt in more ways than one.

The devil knows our weaknesses and where he should set the traps to get us hooked.

You deserve this.

You earned it.

You should have it.

You want to belong don't you?

You want to have nice things, right?

Buy this, drink this, eat this.  

There, that feels better, doesn't it?

Gotcha.

Oh snap, you may have missed that fine print that discussed the compounding interest and minimum payments (financially and spiritually).

I'm envisioning the devil looking like a Godfather from one of those old mafia movies.

"You deserve this so I'm going to do this favor and give it you. It will make you feel better, I promise."

Then he whispers under his breath "and someday, I will come and collect the debt that you owe me."

If I recall those movie plots, that last part doesn't usually go so well.

At some point, we have to pay for our choices.

There was a time in my life that I didn't just have to work four jobs to pay off my debt.  

I had to atone for my sins. I had to face up to mistakes I made and turn away from things that were not good for me and make things right.

It had to get bad enough that I wanted to change.

I longed for a debt-free life and was willing to do the work to get it.

I was sick of the cycle of saying yes to the desires and then getting straddled with paying off the debt after (financially and spiritually).

Jesus interrupted the cycle and stood in for me and paid my debts. Of course, I still had to work to pay off my credit cards, but you know what I mean.

He showed me that I was loved and loveable just as I was and I didn't need to buy any more stuff or give myself away to receive that love.

I didn't deserve His help. but He gave it to me anyway.

Jesus' love and forgiveness paid my debts.

Don't get my wrong. I'm still tempted.

I may have had ice cream yesterday whilest researching healthy eating plans.

I may have purchased a new outfit while my closet bursts from stuff I never wear.

I may have had yet another box delivered of stuff I really don't need.

What can I say, the algorithms made me do it.

I still make icky choices sometimes and I still have to pay for them.

But I strive to live a debt-free life now.

I stop and think "What happens if I say yes to this? Will it make things better? Do I really need it? Why am I wanting it? What are the long term effects? Can I afford it (financially and spiritually)?"

I'm sure my niece appreciated my words of wisdom. I hope that she learns from my mistakes so she doesn't have to spend years paying off her debts (financially and spiritually).

I am grateful for the lessons I have learned and will work hard to not have to repeat some of those tough cycles again.

I'm watching out for those traps and taking a minute to think about the debt that will come if I say yes.

I'm trying to keep my eyes on God and only say yes to what He has pre-approved.

That is much better wisdom than my lecture of "Do as I say, not as I did."

Ephesians 2: 8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

John 3: 16-17

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Colossians 2: 13-14

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.