Prov. 22:7; Rom. 13:8; Gal. 5:1 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. – Pr 22:7 Don’t run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other… -Rm 13:8 (Message) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery. –Gal 5:1

The average household in the U.S. has: $10,200 credit card debt 5% = $612 in interest $15,000 Auto debt 3% = $450 in interest $91,000 home loan 5% = $4,550 in interest That adds up to $5,612 of interest payments. …less than 3% discretionary spending. If you earned $30,000 a year, that’s about $2.50 per day.

DEBT IS A FORM OF BONDAGE Pr 22:7 "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."

You are in financial bondage if you… Can't pay your bills and expenses when they are due. Have put off payment of one bill in order to pay another. Have looked for quick fixes or quick ways out of your debt. Worry about paying large one-time bills. Don’t have any money left over each month for savings.

By our financial decisions we can enslave ourselves to our creditors. We get ourselves into bondage in much the same way Israel became enslaved in Egypt. –They did something wrong! We end up working for our creditors –at least part of the time. We have no freedom to obey God –if He called us to full time service, we couldn’t We have no freedom to be generous in giving.

Jesus cannot fully be Lord of our lives The only two ways out of debt are bankruptcy and frugality. –As Thomas Jefferson said before he went bankrupt, "I place economy (frugality) among the first and most important virtues, and debt as the greatest of dangers to be feared." Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." --Mat 6:24

There is a freedom to which God calls us. It is a freedom from sin and guilt. It is a moral freedom to live in righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. It seems to include freedom from the bondage of debt.

A REDEEMER HAS COME! It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. -- Gal 5:1

The ideal is to not get into debt and the bondage which results But who of us hasn’t been there?

Jesus can forgive the moral dimension of our wrong doing… but we will have to pay our debtors. –We have to be persons of our word. –We must get control of ourselves. We must be good stewards of what is given us.

John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Free from the need structure that drove us into deficit spending. Free from the pressure of unpaid bills. Free from the error of violating Biblical principles of Finances –Rom 13:8 Don’t run up debts… –James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow… Free to fully trust God and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

SO HOW DO WE GAIN THIS FREEDOM?

We simply cannot repudiate all our debts …nor will God just write them off. –God never forgives at another’s expense. –God respects the personal and property rights of others.

Confess & repent… of wrong attitudes and actions which produced bondage. –Unwillingness to trust God to provide for our needs and give us the desires of our hearts. (see Mt 6:25-34; Ps 37:4) –Tendency to rely on our " own devices " (Ps 81:12). –Denying God the privilege of caring for us and bringing glory to His name (2 Cor 9:12; Phil 4:19). –Presuming on the future (James 4:13-17).

Commit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ by doing what He said: Develop proper priorities. Jesus said, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." --Mt 6:33 Practice Self-denial. "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." --Mt 16:24 Learn to "remain in Christ." –God delights in us when we spend time with Him and seek to know His will. –When we remain in Him and His words remain in us we may avail ourselves of His promise, "... ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." --Jn 15:7 Establish the "Tithe" as a way of enforcing your commitment to trust God rather than money.

Purpose to get out of debt and enjoy financial freedom by: Purchasing only what you can afford. Planning a budget and living by it. Asking God for both what you need and what you want. Saving toward purchases and shopping for the best buy.

REST ASSURED

When God redeemed His people, Israel, out of the bondage of Egypt, He redeemed them to Himself. –The Egyptians gave them their valuables when they left. –God miraculously provided food and water. –Neither their clothes nor their shoes wore out in 40 years (Deut. 29:5).

God loves you. He’s your Father. Let Him take care of you & demonstrate His love.