Why do we value having things so much?

[Willow]

This is an area that I am learning as well. The truly unfortunate thing is we begin to rely on our credit instead of God. If we need a car, we finance it, instead of going to God to supply it. Certainly He gives us the gifts that we use to make the money for things, but should we then go into bondage with man and promise that money plus interest? And when we do get a car (just an example) do we have to get an expensive, sleek, top of the line vehicle, or merely something that is mechanically sound that will get us where we need to be, so that we will have money left over for important things? This is a good lesson to learn. If we don't learn kingdom economics, we will be bound by the world's economics. I have seen what the world has to offer, I prefer to trust in God.

Oh BOY! Good example! As I am getting out of debt, guess what I need to buy?...a car! And I am going through exactly this issue. I know God has a car for me and soon. I am trying to hear what the deal is. I have twice been given cars. They of course are no longer with us (R.I.P.) as they were running out of steam when I got them. My parents want to move about 40min away from where we are now- which for the next few months before I go it on my own, I will need to live with them and commute. That's an hour each way. I need a much more reliable car than what I had been having. So, I am waiting on God. Is He going to surprise me with another car, or help me get a fab deal on one - even if I have to finance it?

I don't want to jump from the pot into the fire, but I have always said, when I get out of debt, the only things worth having any kind of loan for would be a good car or house. So, here is my test - have I learn my lesson(s)?

I know all about credit card debt. It's amazing how it starts with one little card given to a 'student'. Ya, maybe helpful when they are going to school - if they are using it wisely, but they are probably using loans anyways. They are going to come out of school with twice the debt to pay off! Then I got a store credit card, and on and on. The funny thing was, I heard many preachers say that God doesn't want you to be in debt and pray for miracles to be debt free etc etc. And of course here are the testimonials of people being forgiven $50,000 debts etc. Cool. If that really happened, awesome. But God clearly told me that wasn't going to happen to me. See, in my family, people have a hard time of finishing things they start. Oh we mean well, it just never happens. I have learnt well. God said to me that he would help me, but I was clearly not going to be forgiven the debt - I would have to work it off. And what did he do? He blessed me with a new job (that pays over double what my old job did) after 5 years worth of being in debt, and now, by Christmas - I will be debt free. And what a sense of accomplishment (through the Lord of course) I feel at having seen this come to an end from my own pocket. I have felt the blood, sweat, and tears. I would say that all my 'good deals' and 'cool things' I have are nice, but NOT worth it. I have paid enough in fees and interest, I could pay cash for my new car purchase I need to make. Working retail really opened my eyes to see what an industry of making money off people's debt can do. How we are required to ask if they are going to pay on that stores credit card, and are they sure they don't need anything else with this purchase? There is being helpful, and there is aiding in feeding someone's weekness. I actually got in trouble from a manager once for not asking a little old lady if she wanted to open up a store credit card account. She was counting the change in her hand for her purchase!! I doubt she'd be able to handle the monthly payments with her pension!! That made me furious.

Anyways, it just makes my eyes open even further to the verse regarding how man cannot have two masters God and money. How prophetic and insightful all those centuries ago.

[godrulz]

Congratulations for everyone's victories. My wife just when on disability because of MS. Our acute debt situation is now pathetic. Thank you for praying for wisdom and hope for us.

[traveller]

You and your wife are in my prayers godrulz. :il:

[Catsmeow]

We cut our credit cards up a few years ago. Our land and home is paid for and our car is paid for. We are totally debt free except for medications that we owe once a month and the usual utility bills. I love garage sales but don't like digging through thrift stores because it takes too much time for me. Did you know that you can buy brand new items at garage sales that make very nice Christmas presents for pennies on the dollar. I don't feel bad about this at all. I now have my daughter and daughter-in-law going to garage sales to buy Christmas rather than going commercial Christmas way. It isn't about the gift anyway it is about the gift giver, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We always love everything we get and know where it came from. Do we really need new refrigerators, stoves, etc? Not really we can buy them at garage sales very inexpensively because someone else wanted new things. No, I didn't get mine at garage sales because I never thought about it at that time and my furniture is only two years old and completely paid for also. The Lord was so good to us and helped us get out of debt quickly.

I agree with all of you on how to get out of debt and it starts by cutting up the credit cards. If we can't afford it then we don't need it.

Patsy,

I wasn't going to comment on this but your post made it irresistable.

My husband and I are opposites..I love to give to the Lord's work but Bill hates it.

He's never been a part of the WOF movement but you'd think he had. He views all ministries as "money grubbing"... If our pastor takes up a special collection, the countenance on my husband's face changes dramatically.

He growls under his breath.

I just say, 'Shhhhh'...so the people in the pews won't hear him.

We have our house, car, etc. paid for. Our credit cards are just for gas and groceries, which we pay off each month. We use our credit because it's a good investment for us...paying us 2% cash back on our Platinum card, so it's serving us better than our bank's money market savings.

We've done better just investing in real estate and keeping our debts down to almost nil.

I still maintain that the smartest way to live is give. Give to the Lord's work with the right heart attitude and with joy and expect nothing in return. Just do it in love.

Somehow, it seems that when your heart is right and you're not wanting anything in return, then the windows of heaven are opened.

If you give out of a desire to "get something" ...the whole spiritual law seems to backfire.

That's what I've found anyway. Give out of pure love and expect absolutely NOTHING back; then the windows of heaven will open ..

[Faith1]

Great thread here and good advice.

I think sometimes other people can get you in debt rather than yourself. Well actually I guess it is still yourself because you allow them to use your name or whatever.

The Lord surely has been good to me and I've been in want and in prosperity and I am learning to be thankful and content in both.

I would rather have nothing and live in a mud hut somewhere and be happy with my Lord than live in a half-a-mil-plus house, drive flashy expensive cars and have all the material nik' naks and gadets and not have Christ.

And I've lived in both :

Faith1

[Willow]

We have our house, car, etc.  paid for. Our credit cards are just for gas and groceries, which we pay off each month. We use our credit because it's a good investment for us...paying us  2% cash back on our Platinum card, so it's serving us better than our bank's money market savings.

We've done better just investing in real estate and keeping our debts down to almost nil.

I still maintain that the smartest way to live is give. Give to the Lord's work with the right heart attitude and with joy and expect nothing in return. Just do it in love.

Somehow, it seems that when your heart is right and you're not wanting anything in return, then the windows of heaven are opened.

If you give out of a desire to "get something" ...the whole spiritual law seems to backfire.

That's what I've found anyway. Give out of pure love  and expect absolutely NOTHING back; then the windows of heaven will open ..

Very good words. And I understand about the credit card thing. If you can use it efficiently, wisely and without getting into trouble - the power is in your hands - not the creditors!

Congratulations for everyone's victories. My wife just when on disability because of MS. Our acute debt situation is now pathetic. Thank you for praying for wisdom and hope for us. 

My prayers are with you. If I could convey my parents story, you'd see my understanding. God be with you, God is with you, and may he restore to you what this life and world is trying to take away.

[Andrew007]

I just want to add that debt is hard on the kids too.

[godrulz]

Giving is one acid test of the Lordship of Christ. Systematic, proportionate giving is consistent with the spirit of the law. Lack of generosity, especially with ministries, could be a sign of unbelief or selfishness. Cheerful giving with the right motive is better than legalistic sacrifice. To obey is better than sacrifice...He does not want our $, He wants our life (Keith Green). Our time, energy,and $ should be used for the glory of God and fulfillment of the Great Commission.

[Willow]

Yes, giving is a great way to be free from the bondage money can hold. It is very hard sometimes to part with it. If you can part with is easily in the form of giving, then money has no power over you. That's not to say someone who has basically nothing has to give give give and then they will see breakthrough even if it costs them meals that week. That's not my point. But the one who is not hording it or really and truly looks to God for provision, can more easily let go than someone who does not trust God. We must be willing to part with ANYTHING if God should ask. Thus the whole reason it is called a sacrifce. A sacrifice of giving. God demanded no less by asking Abraham to go and sacrifice his only son. And God gave no less by sacrificing His only Son. I think it's safe to trust God for where our provision will come from.

So, we must then wrestle with the need to have things - stuff. Cars, clothes, collections, cd's, entertainment of all kinds, recreation, or whatever it is. Be careful you are not trying to fill a void inside that Jesus is supposed to fill, with things instead.

Believe me, I did this without realizing it. I struggle every payday when it seems I have 'extra', oh oh what can I buy with this? If it's on sale, I can get something else as well! There are so many little attitudes to work on.

[Catsmeow]

Hang in there...we're all dealing with our own "tudes" and we're all vulnerable.

One may have overcome material things, only to discover they harbor bitterness. Another may forgive but be a glutton.

We each have our own personal challenges. Join the club!...Yet take heart - we have a Savior who can sympathize with our weaknesses.