through your mind: Perhaps you could take a fam-
ily vacation, start a business, support a charity dedi-
cated to a cause you care about or save for your chil-
dren's college costs. Maybe you could reduce your
work hours so you'll have more time to volunteer, take
a class or work on a project. Also consider how your
health and relationships will improve after you've bro-
ken free of the stress that being in debt causes in your
life. While you reflect on the many choices you could
have, ask the Holy Spirit to use that knowledge to in-
spire and motivate you to pay down your current debt.
purchases are benefi cial and which are not.
ble' � but not everything is beneficial. `Everything is
permissible' � but not everything is constructive.'"
Before you buy a product or service from now on,
ask yourself why you're considering spending your
before spending your money will help you avoid unwise
impulse purchases and learn how to direct your money
to support what you value most. If you identify any
unhealthy attitudes behind your purchasing decisions
(fear, insecurity or greed), confess that to God and ask
Him to help you heal and start approaching financial
decisions with healthy attitudes (like faith, trust,
humility and gratitude).
current debt.
write down specific goals with action steps and specific
target times in mind. Tackle your various debts one at
a time (starting with the debt on which you pay the
most interest) and working your way down until you've
paid everything off. Ask a few people whom you trust
to hold you accountable and to celebrate your progress
with you. Reduce your new purchases as much as
possible while working on paying down your debt, but
don't stop giving financially to support God's kingdom
work. Be creative as you consider how to free up more
job for a while, sell an extra vehicle or move to a less
expensive place to live.
the amount of your income. Ask the Holy Spirit to help
you discern the difference between what you need and
what you merely want, as well as to empower you to ex-
ercise self-control when managing money. Carry just one
credit card, use it only for what you truly need and pay
it off in full each month. Whenever possible, pay for your
purchases directly rather than using a credit card. Save
money for large purchases that you're planning (such as
for a car, home improvements, or a vacation) so you can
afford to pay for them all at once rather than going into
debt for them. Clean out your house to eliminate pos-
sessions that you don't really need or regularly use, and
give them to your local Salvation Army thrift store so
they can be put to use to help people in need. Cut down
fee shop drinks, manicures, and unnecessary gadgets.
financial provision and every opportunity that you've
gotten to earn money to God's generous work in your
life. Thank God by heeding His call to use your money
in ways that honor Him and promote His work in
your life. You can do so by basing all of your financial
decisions on what has eternal value. Rather than
spending your money on what isn't important and
won't last, spend it in ways that support what the
Bible says matters most and what will help you leave
a legacy that will inspire others to seek God.
you have, the more freedom you'll have to become
the person God wants you to become, which will
lead you to the best life you could ever enjoy!