Being Freed from Bondage

[neenzmj]

I have a confession: I’ve been in bondage – financial bondage, that is. It helps me to call it exactly what it is because it uncovers those areas in my life where I need to allow God to deal with me: DELAYED GRATIFICATION. It’s so darned easy to whip out that credit card to have the instant satisfaction of a new dress, a new pair of shoes, new furniture, eating out, vacations, etc. But that satisfaction is short-lived when it’s time to pay the bills -- bills for things I don’t even have anymore.

There’s supposed to be freedom in this life with Christ and yet I’ve managed to travel the road back to Egypt. Living in Egypt has caused me to compromise on the consistency of my tithing (not good at all.) Living in Egypt has kept me bound in a job that no longer challenges me. I know that God has so much more in store me for than this. I desire to write the check for my tithe without giving any thought to how it impacts the bills. I desire to be of greater financial help to my parents, but I certainly can’t do it when my finances are tied up in loans and credit cards.

But the Lord is good! My husband and I have had to repeatedly ask for forgiveness in the area of being good stewards over our finances, and I’m so thankful God didn't give up on us while we’re learning these hard lessons. Everytime the bills have been stacked up and the money was low, He has seen us through (even though it was our foolishness that caused it.)

I am happy to say there is light at the end of the tunnel. We recently paid off a car loan and will pay off another major loan at the end of this month. For the first time in years, we’re beginning to feel the shackles of debt being removed. We’re on our way out of Egypt.

Anyone else in Egypt? If so, it’s time for an exodus!

 

[Whisper]

Praise God for your testimony! Yes I too am in financial bondage, and not just because of the 'recession'. It's funny that you mentioned how your job does not challenge you because I am kind of feeling the same way. As I am thankful for my job, the pay is not the best. I'm sure I could budget just a little better. Don't forget to continually speak the word over your finances and tithe!

 

[PaperClip]

Since being a full-time graduate student for the past 5-6 years (due to layoffs), I've learned to discern a need from a want.

I drove the same Barney-purple Ford Escort for almost 10 years.

My apt. is cable-free.

I get/borrow my DVDs from the public library...FREE! I can see pretty much all the latest movie/DVD releases.

For the past 6 months, I've been podcasting Dave Ramsey and his strategies for debt-free living are very useful. Start with his book "Total Money Makeover"

Oh yeah, I kept up giving my tithes through it all and thanks be to God, I haven't missed a beat.

Hope this helps.

 

[neenzmj]

Eating out is one of our biggest money wasters. Simply cutting back in this area will help turn things around even quicker.

 

[Nice & Wavy]

I'm not in financial bondage, but I think God everyday for His mercy and grace upon my life in the financial areas.

It's a blessing to see that you and your dh are making the right steps toward becoming financially free!

Continue to good work!

 

[Nice & Wavy]

BTW: You are absolutely beautiful in your avatar!

You go girl!

 

[neenzmj]

BTW: You are absolutely beautiful in your avatar!

You go girl!

Thank you so much!

 

[mrselle]

Praise God for your testimony. Not so long ago I was in financial bondage. No one ever talked to me about managing my finances or how to deal with credit cards. As a result, by the time I graduated from college I had a lot of credit card debt on top of student loans. I was in my 20’s before I knew anything about a FICO score. I clearly remember telling my dad that I wanted to marry a man with good credit. His response? “No black man has good credit.”

Shortly after I graduated from college, I started to have a desire to get my finances in order. I wanted to know exactly how much credit card debt I had, what it would take for me to pay off that debt, what could I do to rebuild my credit and have some money in savings. I’d always paid my tithes, but outside of that I had no idea how to budget my money. Whenever I would get my tax refund I would blow it on whatever….clothes, make-up, and a bunch of other stuff I can’t remember. If I had a few extra dollars I would blow it on something frivolous. If payday was tomorrow and I had an extra $20 in the back I would go buy something just because I could and I knew that I would have some more money in the bank the following day. The bad habits I had concerning my finances are too many to list. My boyfriend at the time (he’s my husband now) helped me. He grew up in a similar situation as me; no one talked to him about managing debt, credit cards, etc… He and I always discussed finances candidly and he taught me a lot about managing money. Through my husband, God showed me a good example of managing finances wisely; saving up for what you want, rather than charging it to a credit card, saving money for a rainy day, not having any debt and investing for the future. It took some time and I had to really change my way of thinking. God has blessed us to be debt free. Outside of our mortgage, daycare and monthly expenses, we have no debt. We have money in the bank for a rainy day and although the stock market has really caused our retirement savings to take a nose dive, we still have some money for retirement and we are trusting and believing God that it will rebound.

And BTW...you are really pretty.

 

[neenzmj]

mrselle:

Thank you so much for sharing. It's very motivational and inspiring to hear others who have traveled the road out of Egypt!