Number 4: Perhaps you need to turn your life over to God. "What He's done for others He'll do for you," an old Gospel song says. The pamphlet, "The Meaning of Life" (that I asked you to read first) will help you become a member of God's own family. Then you won't have to fight through your problems alone. According to Psalm 46:1, God is an ever present source of help in time of trouble! Do like I did. Ask God for what you need and trust Him to provide it. Next, do as another old song says, "Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there." Then join a Bible preaching church where people will stand with you during this crisis. Next, reorder your priorities. Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (life's needs) will be added unto you." Finally, learn to give. YOU HAVE HOMEWORK: The following verses will comfort and help you: 1 Timothy 6:10, Deuteronomy 8:18, Romans 13:8, Proverbs 3:5-6 and 11:24-25, Luke 12:15 and 34, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 and 9:6-11, 1 Chronicles 29:14, Matthew 6:21 and 25:14-30, Philippians 4:19 DISCLAIMER: This material represents our best efforts to be helpful within the constraints of this format. Other information and additional counseling should be considered before crucial decisions are made. See "Choosing a Counselor." copyright 2000 - 2003 Back to Home Page |
Note to the reader: The pamphlet entitled "The Meaning of Life" should be read before you begin to read here. It contains basic information upon which this material rests. It only takes a few minutes. When you finish return to this page. Do it our way. |
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Note to the reader: The pamphlet entitled "The Meaning of Life" should be read before you begin to read here. It contains basic information upon which this material rests. It only takes a few minutes. When you finish return to this page. Do it our way. |
Introduction: A verse in the Bible accurately sums up most financial problems. It says, "The rich rule over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7). Consumer debt in America is at an all time high, while most people's ability to repay continues to decline. Many worry that they are just a few paychecks away from disaster. While the national economy may be important, it means very little if your personal financial situation has you concerned. I have experienced the worry and anxiety you may be feeling right now. In fact, I almost worried myself to death over financial matters a number of year back. Hopefully, this pamphlet will help you handle your problems better than me. |
How We Get Trapped: Some people get into financial difficulty through no fault of their own. Unforeseen illnesses, accidents, family concerns and business problems are some common reasons. Credit Cards: Probably the leading cause of financial trouble is the misuse of credit cards. It takes planning and discipline to avoid financial bondage over plastic. Lack of Discipline: Financial ruin sometimes awaits those unwilling to wait to purchase what they want. In days gone by our parents and grandparents would "save up" for a new appliance or a new car. This is still a good policy. Poor Spending Habits: Another financial shortcoming of many Americans is simply buying things they don't need. Go to any garage sale or thrift store and you will see "once hot" items discarded and selling for pennies. Unnecessary spending makes up about 35% of consumer spending today. Other Bad Habits: Other bad habits that lead to financial difficulty are "mall hopping" (my definition of habitual shopping) and a preoccupation with buying the latest gadgets, technology or cars. Taxes: Finally, there are growing numbers of American in bondage to the alphabet boys -- the IRS. This is due to their application of compound interest that turns small amounts owed into huge sums that are almost impossible to pay off. There is an alarming number of people paying burdensome monthly payments to the tax man. NOW FOR SOME ADVICE A clear-cut remedy for your problem obviously depends on the nature and seriousness of your particular situation. While specific recommendations are therefore not possible, some general advice may prove helpful. Number 1: Don't remain paralyzed by your problem. Take decisive action to get out of debt. Cut up every consumer credit card you have. Reduce your monthly payments. Consider a less expensive automobile and home. In other words, go on an austerity program until things turn around. Number 2: On the income side, consider a second job or a part time business. There are service-type businesses that you can start with little capital. In fact, I advise all young people to have a profession, a trade or craft and a hobby that can produce income. This will give a person three potential streams of income and flexibility when times are tough. Number 3: If your situation is beyond control, bankruptcy may be an option. Talk it over with a trusted friend, a financial advisor and/or an attorney before a decision is made. Bankruptcy is really a government approved plan to restore your economic viability. An alternative is to formulate your own plan outside of court whereby your creditors agree to take a percentage of what you owe. Negotiations can be handled by you, a friend, or an attorney. |
A Quick Personal Story: There I was, forty-three years old, married with five children, flat of my back in bed. Earlier in the month, my heart had stopped beating while I was in a nearby hospital. I had to be revived. Financial problems put me there. A business failure came first and then I worried myself almost to death -- literally! As I lay in bed, I thought, "I have no money coming in and no way to get any!" My mind was whirling with the names of people I could approach for help when the thought came to me that God was not on my list. With tears in my eyes, and my heart ready to explode, I prayed, "God, if I am to die, let me die working on a job for my family -- not here in this bed." I asked the Lord for a job making $1000 to $1500 a week. I had zero prospects and that amount of money seemed impossible in those days. The next morning my wife's grandmother, who lived across the cornfield from us shouted that there was a phone call for me at her house. I didn't even have a phone. It was my job! Without ever applying, I got a job in a vocation that I had never worked. And it paid exactly what I had requested. All of my friends know that this is a true story. |
Number 4: Perhaps you need to turn your life over to God. "What He's done for others He'll do for you," an old Gospel song says. The pamphlet, "The Meaning of Life" (that I asked you to read first) will help you become a member of God's own family. Then you won't have to fight through your problems alone. According to Psalm 46:1, God is an ever present source of help in time of trouble! Do like I did. Ask God for what you need and trust Him to provide it. Next, do as another old song says, "Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there." Then join a Bible preaching church where people will stand with you during this crisis. Next, reorder your priorities. Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (life's needs) will be added unto you." Finally, learn to give. YOU HAVE HOMEWORK: The following verses will comfort and help you: 1 Timothy 6:10, Deuteronomy 8:18, Romans 13:8, Proverbs 3:5-6 and 11:24-25, Luke 12:15 and 34, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 and 9:6-11, 1 Chronicles 29:14, Matthew 6:21 and 25:14-30, Philippians 4:19 DISCLAIMER: This material represents our best efforts to be helpful within the constraints of this format. Other information and additional counseling should be considered before crucial decisions are made. See "Choosing a Counselor." copyright 2000 - 2003 Back to Home Page |
ADVICE about financial problems by Duron Davis |
THE COUNSELING CENTER P.O. BOX 429 WHITE, GEORGIA 30184 |
