Get free from debt

To get free from debt: (1) Write down your financial goals. Decide what’s truly important—how much you’ll save, how much you’ll spend, and how much debt you can handle without jeopardizing your future. One reason we never reach our goals is because we don’t set any. You must know where you’re going and how to get there. (2) Start small. Tackle one bill at a time. It’s amazing what you accomplish when you’re serious and stick with it. The Bible says, “At the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NIV). (3) Stop charging what you can’t pay for. You’re incurring higher interest rates and adding to your burden. Use credit cards only if you’re disciplined enough not to go overboard. Your intentions may be good, but unforeseen circumstances can force you to carry a balance from month to month. And if your spending is totally out of control, do plastic surgery—cut up your credit cards! (4) Give more. This may sound foolish and counter-intuitive when you’re in debt. But Jesus said, “Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38 NLT). (5) Expect disapproval. When you begin to practice financial discipline, some people may not be too happy, especially if it affects them personally. But if you only do things in life that nobody can find fault with, you’ll never accomplish much. Starting today, God wants you to be free from debt—and stay free (see John 8:36).