Deliver Thyself

Text: Proverbs 6:1-11

The Christian managing the finances of his home will find it difficult if he has been snared by living worldly, as it relates to money. However, like anything else in a Christian’s life, victory can be anyone’s who is totally committed, completely focused, with intense faith in the Lord.

According to Scripture, if we are in debt for a friend or in debt for ourselves, it is a snare. A snare according to the 1828 dictionary is “anything by which one is entangled and brought into trouble”.

Surety is signing and giving your signature for the security of a debt. Co-signing is giving your signature for the security of another person’s debt. The Bible warns over and over about being surety for another person. Proverbs 17:18 says, “A man void of understanding striketh hands and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.” See Proverbs 6:1 and Proverbs 22:26.

According to Scripture (Proverbs 11:15), “He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretyship is sure.” God says we are to hate debt! In fact, He says if we hate surety we are sure! God is saying “Get out of debt!” He is saying never co-sign for another person.

A principle that I have always gone by is if I have to get a co-signer, I don’t need what I think I do. If the banker says you can’t afford this car, house, loan, etc. so you need another person to stand for you in case you don’t pay, it is a sure indication that I don’t need that boat, car, etc!

The way out of debt takes a resolve that never waivers! Are you the one? Are you the one who is holding your wife back? Are you the one who is holding your husband back? The resolve to be delivered from debt is a unified, family resolve!

The first thing to do is stop charging! We must stop borrowing if we are ever going to get started on debt reduction. How would you like to live on your income and owe no one on payday?

“The good thing about principles is that they make life easy. I have heard it said that when someone bases his life on principle, 99 percent of his decisions are already made!” says Dave Ramsey. This truth can be applied to all areas of life! Bible principles applied to our lives keep us from going in the wrong direction in life.

Giving, saving, and earning money are all right and Biblical. It was Charles Wesley who said about money, “Make all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.” These goals are honorable goals for every Christian. However, with debt hanging over the Christian’s head, it is difficult to give and to save.

Saving money must always have a purpose. Retirement must be saved for and is an important reason to save. Purchasing larger items, without charging, are also wise things to save for.

Money is not evil. Possessing money does not make a person evil. The way we make, spend, save and give money as a Christian must be to the glory of God. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” I Cor. 10:31.

UnTHINK Money: Money Myth
It is always best to have a home mortgage because you can count the interest on your federal taxes! WRONG! If your mortgage payment is $900 per month and the interest portion is $830, you will pay around $10,000 that year in interest. Is this a tax advantage? Do the math. If you had the $10,000 for yourself (no mortgage) you would pay $3,000 taxes. Is trading $10,000 for $3,000 a good deal? Oh my, “they” are wrong again!