Like they say, the best place to start is at the beginning. So, let's begin by admitting the obvious: We live in a world system that often is not consistent with the Christian ethic. The world tells us that happiness comes with acquisition. God tells us that joy comes with contentment. Far too often, we Christians buy into the world's philosophy.
Yet if happiness requires acquisition -- we'll never be happy. The world always has something that's "new and improved" along with savvy plans to transfer the money from your wallet into their corporate piggy banks.
The Christian's Closet Sin
Like most of the problems we face, financial pain has its roots in the bad decisions we have made all along the way. And, like most bad decisions, we are filled with shame and fear that others will find out.
So instead of bringing the problem into the light where it can be dealt with, we try to hide it from others -- and often ourselves. To admit financial failure is to admit that something in our lives is out of control, and we don't like to do that. But eventually, the house of cards falls in on itself. That's when what we had hoped would remain a private struggle suddenly becomes very, very public.
God really does know how we tick. Over the years I have become convinced of two things:
1) As long as I deny or excuse any sin in my life, I will continue to fall farther behind. Only when I face my sin can the healing (changing) process begin. Sin is like a cancer; until it is recognized and isolated it can't be treated. And just as cancer, a sin ignored doesn't go away -- it continues to grow until it finally consumes and destroys the whole body!
2) There is strength in numbers. Sometimes the only way to deal with a problem is through confession and accountability to other believers. James tells us to "confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." (5:16)
Recently I was visiting with a broker friend of mine who told me about a man in his church. At a men's prayer gathering, my pal's friend felt safe enough to share a dark secret with the other men. He admitted that, despite a healthy income, he was deeply in debt and saw no way out. Thankfully, the other men in the group rallied around him, and have since helped him through his difficulty.
Now Ask the Hard Question: Why Do We Borrow?
Please don't misunderstand, I'm not one of those people who teaches that borrowing money is necessarily a sin. However, the Bible does teach that debt can be bondage or slavery. (Proverbs 22:7).
There are two things to ponder before going into debt:
