We’re kicking off a new collaborative idea here at One Money Design called Everyday Money Heroes. In short, the Everyday Money Heroes will contribute content across specific areas of personal finance (budgeting & spending, investing & retirement, Bible & Money, and Debt Management).
You may already know Jocelin Boutet as a regular contributor here at One Money Design. However, I’d like to reintroduce her because she will also be contributing as a debt hero. She has witnessed the negative impacts of indebtedness and benefits to becoming debt free in her own family. She is devoted to staying debt free and helping others overcome financial bondage.
This is an introductory post from Jocelin providing her perspective on debt.
Debt is something most people deal with every day. What would your life be like without debt? What would it be like to not have to worry about paying that credit card down? Or that student loan? Or your mortgage? Sounds like heaven, right?!? Well, it is entirely possible!
As you can see, I’m very passionate about debt and getting rid of it. I grew up in a home where I saw my parents being in debt, get out debt, get back into it, and get back out and stay out. I also saw where our Father blessed them when they were debt free and withheld blesses when they were not debt free. So from an early age, I learned not to be in debt.
As I titled this article with an acronym of Don’t Ever Be Thick-Headed, I truly think that debt is just that – us humans being thick-headed and stubborn, wanting our own way versus waiting on our Heavenly Father to provide for us.
Matthew 10:29-31 tells us that He watches over even the sparrows, and He does the same for us. As His children, He loves us dearly and promises to provide for us.
Psalm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
If He promises to do that, why are we worrying? I understand that in our humanness and independence, we often try to provide for ourselves.
He does tell us in 1 Timothy 5:8, that “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” But I think there is a balance. We are to do everything within our own power to earn a living, work hard, and then trust Him to meet our needs. We do not need to be in debt. Rather it is a choice we make.
Ouch! I just made a pretty hard statement there. Did I really say we choose to be debt? Yes, I did. We don’t realize it, but it is a choice we make. We don’t have to keep up with the Joneses, but we are pressured from peer pressure, commercials, and other influences to keep up with the them. Rather, we could chose to live in a smaller home, drive an older car, and maybe not have the latest fads with no debt. It all comes down to priorities.
So if you are considering going into debt, DON’T! If you are in debt, begin working to get out of debt! This is an excellent time to start that process – today!
My mom’s words when she realized that they needed to get out of debt were priceless – “Terry, we need to get out of debt by tomorrow!” My dad patiently explained “Carol, we didn’t get into debt overnight, we won’t get out of debt overnight. Rather, we need to begin working on getting out of debt.”
So they began that journey. In fact, you can read their story in two parts as printed in the Crown Financial Ministries Newsletter July 2009 and August 2009 editions. And then you will understand why I’m so passionate about this topic!
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