I’ve been out of full-time salaried work since June 1, 2007. It’s been hard to say the least. The money well has all but dried up. The creditors call daily now, I’m juggling cutoff notices from the utilities and it’s pressing just to be able to live. My wife has gone to work waiting tables so that we can survive during this time.
Now I don’t know about you, but we receive a LOT of credit card offers in the mail. At least three a week come in with promises of zero percent interest, balance transfers and all the big life that living in debt has to offer. The other day I actually opened one and read the terms and conditions of the offer. Why? Desperation. As the main earner for our family this has been extremely hard for me to be in a position where I’m not “bringing home the bacon.” Not only that but it is a blow to my integrity when I cannot pay my financial obligations on time. I actually considered sending off this credit card offer to be able to get some relief. Is it really relief though? Or is it just postponing the pain and adding to it in the long run?
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7 [NIV]
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love on another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 [NIV]
After coming to my senses I ripped the offer in pieces and discarded it’s remains into the trash. I am already a slave/servant to several debtors. I am actively trying to pay my way out of that bondage. Why in the world would I want to take on more debt and gain yet one more master? I have to remember that God is allowing us to go through this time for a purpose. I truly believe that no matter how angry and depressed I get some days. I also have to remember that He is my provision and certain help in time of need.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 [NIV]
Of course since this trial, God has shown Himself to us in many ways and is taking care of our needs. I will continue to depend on Him no matter how hard it is. I know that He will deliver us into a time of blessing that we could not even imagine. And even if He does not… it should be enough that He sent His only Son to die for me.
This is a great post on the difference between depending on ourselves via the plastic or God Who will take care of us because He loves us. I can certainly identify with your problem. I haven’t been able to work since 1994 and my husband became unable to work in 2003, I think it was.
To go from a livable income down to what we can get from Social Security is amazingly awful. We had some months of an income of $490 or so with 4 of us in the family while we waited for Soc Sec to approve my husband. Nightmare.
However, we did live through it. We are doing a little better now. God does take care of us!! He is awesome.
Be blessed of God!!!
For some reason, my onscreen name got cut off on the last post. It’s there now. Its’ JAZ! LOL!
You made the right choice, while it might ease the burden in the short term, it will multiply the burden later.
Do whatever you can to create income, and make sure you pay your life basics first: shelter, clothing, and food. Everybody else will just have to wait.
James 1:12
Thank you so much Jaz and glblguy! The good news is that God DID show His provision and I am now working again (PTL). We are slowly getting caught back up on all of bills and debt payments that we fell behind on. Of course that’s going to be the focus of this coming year… getting out of that debt. We shouldn’t be slaves to anyone except God.
Absolutely! This is fantastic. Praise You Lord for Your provision even if it does not look like it at the time!!!!
My dear brother, I will share something with you on this because I can totally empathize with you.
Just a couple of months ago, I was in the same situation as you are, and was out of a job for 6 months. During that time, I have had my electricity cut off twice and creditors knocking on my door pretty often.
It got to the point where I was afraid to go open the mailbox because all I would see would be demand letters and threats to litigate from various law firms representing my creditors. It also got to the point where my heart would beat really fast in the mornings because these collectors usually knock in the mornings.
All through that time I was also backsliding and didn’t look to God for help.
Until much later when I just knew I won’t be able to cope on my own strength and asked God for His help.
He did, and I got a job. It doesn’t pay much, but it’s a job. I am still saddled with quite a few debts but by God’s grace, the creditors have been kind and actually called off litigation to allow me the choice to pay via installments every month.
And I know that in time, God will provide the way out and I’ll be able to get past this storm. All through the last month I had to attend court a few times to answer a few questions and be monitored on my payments.
Again, by His grace, I have been given favorable rating even by the creditors’ lawyers!
You did the right thing, brother. Trust in God, He will provide a way, and where one door closes, listen and you will hear God telling you that another has opened, and opened to a better road.
I will remember you in my prayers.
God bless you, brother.
Shalom!
Thank you so much, Sicarii for sharing your story with me. I will also pray for you that you will be able to get out from under your debt. God created and owns the universe, so I’m sure that He can handle it… if we let Him.
Update: my wife had to go to work during my unemployment period. She usually stayed home with our children and is homeschooling them as well. With God’s help we were able to let her give two weeks notice this week. The bills are back under control. The debt of course is still there, but with time, diligence and God’s grace I’m sure we’ll be able to get out from the debt as well.
God bless!
Dear Jonathan,
That’s great to hear, brother! God does indeed own the universe and you got it spot on — if only we let Him, He will do the best for us!
Here’s a verse to cheer and encourage you:
“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?â€
Matthew 7:9-11 (KJV)
God bless you and your family, Jonathan.
Shalom!
What a wonderful story or your faithfulness and God’s provision!!! I love stories like that. He puts us through these trials so that we might lean on Him, and trust Him only. He’s building your faith and that is always wonderful.
Can you see how the enemy works? You got those credit card offers and if you had taken them, and aleviated financial strain (for a time anyway), then you could claim you did it yourself (in the flesh) and you could not have given God glory. This was the enemy’s way of taking God’s glory away from Him and a way for you to NOT increase your faith in Him. Satan was taunting you, dangling the bait to see if you would take it – a quick fix – but underneath the surface is so much more going on. This is an example of a battle between spirit and flesh although we tend not to apply it in this type of situation. We think of it in the way of temptation to sin but it applies to anything that could take away God’s glory.
You made the right choice and I’m so happy!!!
Thank you so much for your encouraging word, Carol. It sure makes the battle that much easier when people like you show support. We all need to try and lift each other up with both words AND prayer. Thanks again!