“We probably shouldn’t be taking this vacation after we charged so much at Christmas,” Beth confessed, “but it’s just too good of a deal to pass up!”

“That’s exactly what I said every time I pulled out my charge card during the holidays,” admitted Janice. “But I’m paying interest on all those ‘deals,’ and now they don’t seem so great.”

When Janice and Tim decided to pay off their credit cards, they knew it would require foregoing a summer vacation and cutting back on some other expenses. But she silently thanked God that she and Tim had come up with a budget so they could honor God with their money and enjoy it without guilt.

Many of us ignore our budgets somewhat during Christmas. Little extras like entertaining and decorating can derail our carefully planned holiday budgets and tempt us to pull out the credit card too often. While the Bible doesn’t forbid the use of credit cards, it does warn against debt—owing money without a sure and timely way to repay. Credit card debt costs more than just interest fees; it robs us of financial freedom, steals our financial integrity, and restricts our ability to minister to others in need.

If your debts are mounting instead of decreasing, prayerfully consider how God would have you regain control over your finances. Ask Him to help you handle your money with integrity.