"We're in debt! How can we give?" Struggling with Stewardship

It's not secret.  Many of us, perhaps most of us, are in debt.  We spend more readily than we save.  During the last few years of climbing out of the 2008 recession, I can't recall our President once suggesting that Americans should "save" money.  We believe, oddly, that the way out of debt is to spend more.

The statistics are sobering.  Today, the average credit card debt per U.S. household is $15,270; the average mortgage debt is $150,000, the average student debt is a whopping $32,258.  Moreover, Americans as a population group are $11.36 trillion dollars in debt, including $857 in credit card debt, $7.93 trillion in mortgages, and over $1 trillion in student loans.

Numbers which make your eyes hurt, and yet you too may find yourself drowning in those numbers.

SCRIPTURE'S TRAINING WARNING

In many ways, the free American people are in bondage, in the chains of debt.  "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender." Proverbs 22:7  Maybe you've heard that verse before.  "Everybody knows that!" (to borrow from the Geico commercial).

"OK...but did you know WHERE that verse is found?"  Here's the larger context - Proverbs 22:6-8

Train up a child in the way he should go

Even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity and the rod of his fury will fail.

 

Hmmmm.  Perhaps what this "training" of young people is all about is fiscal responsibility, a clear lesson on understanding that what one sows that which you also reap...and therefore staying out of debt.  It takes a wise parent to intentionally train a child in good money management.

 

CAUGHT IN DEBT, WANTING TO GIVE

 

This blog begins with a question posed to me.  "How can we keep our commitment to the Lord to tithe (i.e., give to the ministry of a local church or kingdom work) when we are struggling with debt?"

 

This is a well-placed desire, and a brave question.  And it will take some bravery to apply the answer.

 

First step - have the courage to get some debt counseling from an agency or financial planner with a Biblical, wise outlook.  In other words, seek some good help.  You'll never regret you did.

Second step - give in faith.  Jesus promised that if you "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things (Matthew 6:25-32 - food, clothing, God's provision) will be added to you."    Again, Jesus (Luke 6:38), "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For with the measure you use (to give) it will be measured to you."

 

Funny thing.  When a Jesus-follower puts God first in his/her finances, and gives of the first of one's income (be it a tithe or an amount you've promised to the Lord), God provides for the giver what is needed.

 

MY DAD TRAINED ME

 

I remember years ago, my father wanted to buy a lot of nice things for my mom.  And he did.  An in-home organ, new carpeting are the things I can remember.  Mom didn't ask for them, but my good-hearted dad was just trying to be generous with the woman he loved.  Easy credit was coming on line back in the 1960's, and dad took advantage of it.

There were two problems.  First, in order to buy these things and try to pay for them, dad had to cut back on giving to the Lord.  Second, the debt was still washing over us, and not getting better.

 

I don't remember what prompted it (it may have been some faithful teaching done at our local church), I remember the night my dad came down to my basement bedroom, and without me asking, said, "David. I've sinned.  I've gotten our family into debt, and I've not been tithing to the Lord.  I just want you to know that no matter what, the Lord's portion is given first.  And, I'll do my best to work and get us out of this hole."

 

I'm proud of my dad.  He did both.  Gave first to the Lord, and worked hard, and Mom was with him all the way.  In a few years, our family climbed out of debt.

 

GET COUNSEL - TRUST GOD - WORK HARD - GIVE FIRST

 

Jesus is alive and his word about giving is still good.  You can give and you can, God's wisdom and strength helping you, come out of the hole.  Seek first His kingdom.  God has a lot he want to add to you as you are obedient to Him...with courageous faith.