Sermon Tone Analysis

ICEBREAKER: What is the most stupid purchase you ever made?

One of the things I love about the Bible is it’s such a practical guidebook for life.

Because it guides us through the realities of life, it has a lot to say about money.

In fact, it says more about money when it comes to the things we face in our life than any other subject besides love.

As always, if we pay attention to what God says it brings freedom to our lives.

One of the reasons we have financial stress is that we live in a culture based on instant gratification – a buy now, pay later culture.

That sets us up for major problems.

Right now in US consumer debt stands at nearly 16.52 trillion dollars in Q3 of 2022.

The first time I taught on finance it was 2 trillion…

That’s not national debt – that’s just what people like you and me owe.

That’s the huge problem that many of us face.

Tonight and over the next couple of weeks we want to answer this question: “What is God’s way out of the debt trap?”

Why is debt a trap?

Because when you get in debt you lose your freedom.

You end up serving the person that you borrow from.

Proverbs 22:7 (NLT) Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

But when we talk about debt (which we usually get into through credit cards), we never hear about this servant thing!

Look at the credit card ads you get in the mail – the basic message is “you deserve it!”

Common messages from credit card companies…

An ideal way for you to become a master of your finances.

The ideal way to give yourself the little extras you really deserve.

Receive your new card and start enjoying life.

Get what you want, when you want it.

Spoil yourself.

You deserve it.

Save with your credit card and win!

There is one word you will never see in these advertisements – DEBT!

But that is what you’re getting when you get a credit card!

The reason that word isn’t used is it’s an unpleasant word.

Here are some synonyms from Roget’s Thesaurus: owe, obligated, liable, in deficit, in default, insolvent, encumbered, in over one’s head, tied up, out of pocket, in arrears, indigent, paupered, destitute, penniless, needy, lacking, distressed, in difficulty, a deadbeat, having a wolf at the door, living hand to mouth, beggarly, empty, having seen better days, gone to the dogs, racked and ruined, impoverished, bad off, hard up, beaten down, reduced to ruin, fleeced, stripped, bereft, bereaved, reduced, unable to make ends meet, embarrassed, broke, busted.

That’s what debt is about – and that’s why nobody wants to talk about it.

The Bible gives us some simple danger signs that warn us when we are getting into the debt trap, and some very practical advice about how to get out of the debt trap.

SIX DANGER SIGNS

1. Living on CREDIT instead of PAYING CASH.

If you begin to depend on credit to maintain your lifestyle you are spending too much.

How do you know if you are living on credit?

It’s pretty simple

the balance on your credit card is increasing every month.

You’re using that card to maintain a lifestyle that you could not maintain just on your salary.

You’ve begun to live on credit!

Proverbs 3:27 (LB) Don't withhold repayment of your debts.

Don't say "some other time," if you can pay now.

God has two big problems with living on credit:

(a) It shows a lack of contentment.

(I have to have it now)

Luke 3:14b (NCV) Be satisfied with the pay you get.

(b) It presumes on the future.

(Everything is going to work out)

Proverbs 27:1 (GW) Do not brag about tomorrow, because you do not know what another day may bring.

Studies show that if you have a credit card you’ll spend 23% more in a store.

It’s a lot easier to buy unnecessary things when you have a card in your hand.

It is fun to spend money!

And to spend money that you don’t have – that is exhilarating!

Credit buying is a lot like getting drunk – the buzz happens immediately, but the hangover comes the day after!

2. Delaying PAYMENTS or paying the MINIMUM DUE.

You might be in a debt trap if…

If you’re missing payments, making late payments, or just paying the minimum due, you’re in the debt trap!

If you find yourself under tension constantly over money

if your checks frequently bounce because of insufficient funds

if you’re having to dip into your reserves to pay bills – red flags!

If you say, “What reserves?”

BIG red flags!

It’s the debt trap!

6 Dec 22

Romans 13:8 (NIV) Let no debt remain outstanding.

3. Unable to TITHE or SAVE.

When you get to the point where you can’t save for the future and you can’t tithe (give 10% to God), you’re in the debt trap.

God says “If you refuse to tithe or you’re unable to tithe you’re essentially using MY money to pay your bills.”

How seriously does He take this?

Malachi 3:8 (CEV) You people are robbing me, your God.

And, here you are, asking, "How are we robbing you?"

You are robbing me of the offerings and of the ten percent that belongs to me.

Proverbs 21:20 (LB) The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.

4. Unable to PAY TAXES.

This isn’t very motivational, but it’s a sign of the debt trap when you’re unable to pay your taxes, or when you try to cheat on your taxes.

Matthew 22:21b (NIV) Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.

5. Extravagant SPENDING.

It’s very easy to begin to spend extravagantly, to buy things you don’t really need just because you have the money, but when you do that it won’t be long before you find yourself in the debt trap.

When you buy things just because you have the money, watch out.

What is the NEXT finical stressor/challenge that is coming?

CHRISTMAS!

Spent $859 billion on Christmas last year

96% of Americans spend $1,000 on Christmas a yr

What are some rules that we should consider?

Don’t put on credit

Don’t feel pressured to perform

Old adage: We spend money we don’t have to buy things we don’t need to impress people we don’t even like!

Maybe you’re trying to feel wealthy, classy or cool – but at best it’s just a façade!

Proverbs 21:17 (LB) A man who loves pleasure becomes poor; wine and luxury are not the way to riches!

6.

Looking for GET-RICH-QUICK ideas.

If you’re not in debt already, this will get you in debt.

And if you’re already in debt, you are ripe for a rip off that will dig you in deeper!

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

When you get into debt it’s easy to begin living in a fantasy world – somehow, this is all going to get taken care of immediately.

But the truth is it’s going to take you just about as long to get out as it takes you to get into debt.

That’s a basic law of how finances work.

There are a lot of people, especially guys, who are waiting for this big deal to come through.

We live in an entrepreneurial society, but how do you know if you’re an entrepreneur or not?

Well, you make money at it!

If you’re not making money at it, GO GET A JOB!