Live free not a servant!

by Cedric Dukes
(Michigan)

I know that if you read books, it states there is good debt and bad debt. Let me say this – Debt can be the enemy of your finances if you don’t control it.

There is nothing good about debt.

Debt is not your friend. Don’t even let it in your house. I am talking about the type of debt that we build up for our own pleasures such as credit cards, department store cards, personal loans, and etc. Sometimes our house mortgage can be a pleasure if we are not careful.

In Romans 13:8, it is said to own no man but love. The only cure for having debt is to replace it with love.

The bible never says that you could not have debt. It specifically says that if you have debt; you should pay it back. We have the ability to get out of debt if we desire. God never wanted us to become indebted to someone or something.

Paraphrasing Proverbs 22:7, it is said the rich rule the poor, while the borrower is servant to the lender. Becoming subservient to the lender is not the desired result because the lender can control you anytime. When we conquer debt, we become free. We become free to take vacations, save for retirement, invest, save for emergencies, and give.

How do you know if debt is a problem? Use this truth as a basis that is found in Proverbs, the blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. If your debt is causing pain, sickness, sleepless nights, irritation, anger, and worry, it is not a blessing. Take control and seek resolution :

1. Compile a list of all the debts from the smallest to the largest
2. Cut up all your credits cards that has put you in trouble
3. Pay off debt starting with the smallest balance
4. Consider selling something if need to (Read 2 Kings 4:1-7 for understanding)
5. Pay off debt for someone else
6. Be patient

You can get out of debt to discard its fashion.

Cedric Dukes
www.cedricdukes.com