DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS

MONDAY - VERSES: Matthew 6:33	PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask for help in keeping your priorities in order.

TUESDAY - VERSES: Romans 6:20-23 PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank God for the gift He has given that can never be repaid.

WEDNESDAY - VERSES: Ephesians 5:2-5 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask for God's help in keeping your heart from covetousness.

THURSDAY - VERSES: 1 Corinthians 4:2	PRAYER THOUGHT: Pray that you keep track of how you are using what God has given you, and that you use it wisely as one who will give an account.

FRIDAY - VERSES:	Luke 16:10-13 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask for strength to use money not serve it. Ask for help to be faithful in this area

SATURDAY - VERSES: 1 Timothy 6:10	PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask for help not to love money. Confess the times you have put money or possessions above more important things and ask for forgiveness.

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A man called the police and reported that all of his wife's credit cards had been stolen. Then he added, "But don't look too hard for the thief. He's charging less than my wife ever did."

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A man once boasted to an acquaintance, "We have a whole roomful of furniture from France that goes back to Louis the 14th."

"That's nothing," replied the other. "We've got a whole house full of furniture from Aaron's that goes back to Harry on the first."

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"Some debts are fun when you are acquiring them, but none are fun when you set about retiring them." -Ogden Nash

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ASSIGNMENTS

1. Daily read over this material and read or sing the song.

2. Place the scripture where you will see it each day.

3. Think of how you think of how you can pay on the debt of love.

4. Pray for God's help in seeing monetary debt for the enslaver it is.

5. Write down ways you can work toward being free of financial debt .

SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 51

DEBT - 7-14-13 to 7-21-13

SCRIPTURE - Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

COMMENT – Have you ever wondered why there are some verses in the Bible that many people try to explain away? God wouldn't have put this verse here unless He knew following it would make us better.

SONG - HE PAID A DEBT

He Paid a Debt He Did Not Owe. I Owed a Debt I Could Not Pay. I Needed Someone to Wash My Sins Away. And Now I Sing a Brand New Song, Amazing Grace. Christ Jesus Paid a Debt That I Could Never Pay. REPEAT

THOUGHTS

MAY A CHRISTIAN DECLARE BANKRUPTCY?

Marvin Rickett

This question is occurring with increased frequency as more and more people are declaring bankruptcy. It needs to be answered in the light of the Bible's teaching. In our culture of easy credit, rampant consumerism, and instant gratification, it is not unusual for Christians to find themselves drowning in debt and looking for relief. They did not intend to place themselves in such a strait, but they were living on the edge with no reserve and an unexpected incident, accident, or illness suddenly placed them over the brink. They eye bankruptcy as a way out. Is it?

Christians ought to be known as a people who pay their debts. It is expected of them and the Lord demands it. Those who fail to pay their debts bring reproach upon Christ and upon the church. The Bible says, "Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man anything, but to love one another" (Romans 13:8).

It doesn't mean that we may never contract a debt and owe some man, but that we will not go on owing a man, that is, we will pay off the debt. The one debt we never get fully discharged is the debt to love one another.

Another principle involved is the matter of theft. When one who owes another man a debt refuses to pay it, it is the same as if he were stealing that amount from the man. The apostle said, "Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good" (Eph 4:28). In other words, if it is a matter of debt, let him work to pay it off. Paul told the brethren in Thessalonica that "if any would not work, neither should he eat" (2 Th 3:10). He told the Corinthian Christians that thieves shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:10).

Christians are to provide things honest in the sight of God and men (Rom 12:17; 2 Cor 8:21). When we try to get out of paying our debts, or else are very careless about discharging them in a timely fashion, it causes the world to view us as dishonest, and to think badly of us. We become a stumblingblock to attracting people to the church.

Sometimes, a person will be placed so deeply in debt by unforeseen and unexpected circumstances that he is in real distress and sees the declaring of bankruptcy as the only way out. If he declares bankruptcy, the Christian will not do so to avoid paying what he owes; but only to stretch out the repayments into smaller amounts he can handle. Even in bankruptcy he will resolve in his heart to pay all the debts and begin immediately to do that. He may be paying for a long time, but his goal is to get it paid off. This is the only right way a Christian may declare bankruptcy, and then it is only as a last resort.

(James' Note: While I am not a fan of bankruptcy, I do not believe that there would never be a time for a Christian to be trapped into it. The problem in our society is that it is seen as an easy way out and it is not. What would often be better for all concerned is for the one in debt and unable to pay to repent of borrowing beyond their ability to repay, vow to not do it again, and then work out settlements with the lenders so that they at least receive something instead of nothing as they would with chapter 7 bankruptcy.)

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The only reason a great many American families don't own an elephant is that they have never been offered an elephant for a dollar down and easy weekly payments.

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Larry Burkett said that one of the best things to do with credit cards when in debt is to preheat the oven to 400 degrees and put them in it. Then mail the cards back to their respective companies and ask them to mail you no more.

PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO KEEP OUT OF DEBT

BILL GOTHARD

From this day forward, my wife and I propose not to accumulate any further debt. Our goal is to keep out of debt altogether. To help accomplish this, we are not using credit cards, we have returned any borrowed books, tools, or other items, and we propose to establish spending disciplines which will remove all past debts.

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"Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt." - Herbert Hoover, American president

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VIEWING MARRIAGE THROUGH A NEW SET OF LENSES

ALAN ADAMS

We must always be responsible for paying our bills. It is immoral to "owe" people (Rom. 13:8), that is, to owe them in the sense of not paying as they have agreed. Credit cards are being pushed now harder than ever. Even dead people get pre-approved credit. The temptation is to "get stuff" now, and pay later. This thinking is a recipe for hardship, and ultimately a source of marital strife and discontent.

Mothers should allow their daughters to see years of womanly care of the home, frugal use of money and things. Fathers should allow their sons to see years of manly providing an income for the home, paying bills, and saving. Children should hear their parents unashamedly say, "We can't afford that." Children who are given everything they see will demand that it always be so. How quickly do the feelings of passion and romance dissipate when covetous young lovers meet life head on!

Parents could give their children such a head start on marriage by showing them through years of example and teaching that God must come first, that God has rules for family organization, and that we must work and live responsibly.

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"Tis against some mens' principle to pay interest, and seems against others interest to pay the principle." -Benjamin Franklin

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ "Rather go to bed supperless, than rise in debt." -Benjamin Franklin

DEBT DECEPTION

INTRODUCTION -

A. Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

B. DEBT DEFINED - 5 THOUGHTS

1. Not Regular Monthly Bills

2. Not Just Money Borrowed and Never Repaid

3. Not Using Something That Belongs to Another and Returning it

4. Not Renting Something

5. Debt Is Any Outstanding Balance Remaining.

C. "Never spend your money before you have it." -Thomas Jefferson

LEAD STATEMENT: LET'S EXAMINE . . .

I. SOURCES OF DEBT

A. ILLNESS, ACCIDENT, INJURY, DEATH OR DISASTER - 2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

2 Kings 6:5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.

B. ECONOMIC MISFORTUNE OF SELF, ANOTHER, OR ON A LARGE SCALE - Proverbs 22:26-27 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. [27] If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

Proverbs 11:15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

C. DISORGANIZATION, POOR PLANNING OR LAZINESS - Proverbs 24:30-34 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; (31) And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. (32) Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. (33) Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: (34) So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

D. NAIVETE', IGNORANCE OR FOOLHARDINESS - Proverbs 17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

E. GREED, SELFISHNESS, COVETOUSNESS, JEALOUSY OR ENVY - Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

1 Tim. 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

F. EVIL INTENTIONS - Psalm 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

G. NOTICE DEBT IS NOT THE PROBLEM, IT IS ONLY THE SYMPTOM - Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

II. CULTURAL CONFUSION CONCERNING DEBT

A. CURRENT STATISTICAL DATA

1. In 1986, personal debt was increasing $1000 per second.

2. In 1996, credit card debt was over $400 billion.

3. In 1997, the average of personal debt per person in the U.S. was $12,000.

4. Today credit card debt is over $850 billion.

5. Today the average of personal debt per person in the U.S. is $50,000.

6. In 2012, 1.2 million declared bankruptcy, down from 1.4 million in 2011.

7. The federal government's debt adds another $150,000 to each person's share of debt.

8. The federal government will surpass $17 trillion in debt this year.

9. Currently only 5 states have decreasing debt 45 have increasing debt.

10. Federal debt has nearly tripled since 2000 when it was $5.7 trillion.

11. The good news today is that personal debt is now decreasing by $1000 per second.

12. During each of the past 3 presidencies the debt has increased by more than the total debt owed at the beginning of his term. Source for 4-11 http://www.usdebtclock.org/

B. MANY BELIEVE DEBT CAN BE GOOD AND HELPFUL.

1. The Bible Says Debt Enslaves the Borrower. - Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

2. The Bible Says God's Blessing of His People Coupled with Their Obedience Would Eliminate Debt on a National Level. - Deuteronomy 15:6 For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.

Deuteronomy 28:11-13 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. (12) The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. (13) And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

3. The Bible Says Debt Would Be the Result of God's Curse on His People Because of Their Disobedience. - Deuteronomy 28:43-45 The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. (44) He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. (45) Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:

4. The Bible Never Encourages or Speaks Positively of Debt in Either Old or New Testaments.

III. REASONS TO ESCAPE DEBT

A. IT MAY BE A SIGN OF A SPIRITUAL ILLNESS.

B. WE ARE COMMANDED TO OWE NO MAN ANYTHING.

C. IT IMPEDES OUR ABILITY TO GIVE CHEERFULLY.

D. IT KEEPS US FROM OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP OTHERS.

E. IT KEEPS US ENSLAVED TO THE LENDER.

F. IT ROBS US THROUGH INTEREST. If the average debt is $50k and the interest was only 5%, that would be $2500 per person here today each year. If there are 40 of us that is $100,000. If we could give even 10% of that to the work of the church think what could be done with an additional $10,000 dollars. And think what you could do with $2000.

G. IT CAUSES US TO WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW.

H. IT HINDERS US FROM SAVING FOR THE NEEDS OF OUR FAMILIES.

I. IT AFFECTS OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILIES.

J. CREDIT CAN BECOME A GOD THAT WE DEPEND ON INSTEAD OF THE TRUE GOD.

K. IT MAY LEAVE OUR FAMILIES BANKRUPT AT OUR DEATHS.

CONCLUSION

A. ANY GOOD THAT COULD BE SAID ABOUT DEBT IS OUTWEIGHED MANY TIMES BY THE BAD THAT GOD HAS SAID ABOUT IT.

B. LET'S TRUST GOD'S WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE RATHER THAN THE WORLD'S.

C. THERE IS SOME DEBT ALL HAVE THAT WE CAN NEVER PAY OFF: THE DEBT WE OWE GOD AND THE DEBT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. ARE YOU MAKING PAYMENTS?

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.