Debt

Many of you know that John and I have been doing Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University since January 2010. We are happy to announce that since January we have paid off $3000 in credit card debt, $4000 on the red car (we now OWN it!), and $7000 on our loan! It's incredible to think that in the last 9 months we have paid $14000 on stuff that was OLD! We got nothing out of the $14000, but what an incredible lesson to have learned about NOT GETTING INTO DEBT in the first place. I know that there are differing views on how one should live biblically when it comes to money, but paying off debt is show clearly in Proverbs to be something of extreme importance. Please take a minute to look over these scriptures:

Proverbs 11:1 (Honest money practices)
The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (Tithing & giving)

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Proverbs 17:18 (Loaning money)
A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

Proverbs 19:15 (Laziness)

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.

Proverbs 22:7 (Debt)
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Over the course of the last 9 months, I have not only studied how to pay off debt, but the importance of doing it. I hope that this encourages you to pay off your debt, or at least to start looking at it in a different light (like more important than new furniture). Lastly, I do want to add that in all the talk about debt, King David thought it important to remind us that giving is extremely important too. Keep that in mind as you write your budget.

Here is a great website with free Dave Ramsey information and LOTS of biblical references to debt. www.christiancommoncents.com

Good luck and God bless,
The Andersons (JME)