Archives For Christian Financial Alliance

Christian Financial Alliance: Spiritual Reasons to Get Out of Debt

Corey —  August 8, 2011

       The Christian Financial Alliance was created to help readers. The idea is this: Create a panel of biblical finance gurus – people who take seriously the call to teach the Bible accurately with grace and truth. Once a month, we post a question with a response from our panel to provide you with well-rounded, sound, biblical advice. For more on the Christian Financial Alliance (or to join our team) click here.

Name one spiritual reason to get out of debt.

       “When you’re in debt it can become a barrier to your relationship with Christ. As Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” When you have a large amount of debt it can cause money to become your master, at the detriment of your walk with Christ.” – BibleMoneyMatters.com

       “Because it’s wise to do so. Every time the Bible talks about debt, it does so as a warning or in a negative light – debt is never presented in a positive manner. The Bible’s wisdom says to avoid debt and the soundness of that advice has been proven time and time again.” – FreeMoneyFinance.com

       “While debt itself is not evil, it can be a sign pointing to a deeper problem in our lives. The typical person in thousands of dollars of credit card debt gets there by being focused on consumerism and materialism rather than pursuing God’s kingdom first. (That’s not always the case, but it is very common.) So a good spiritual reason to get out of debt is to break that cycle of buy, buy, buy and free yourself from valuing your life based on your possessions. For many people, getting out of debt can be a first step to passionately pursuing God’s kingdom.” – ProvidentPlan.com

       “Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23). Avoiding and getting out of debt requires self-control (to say the least!). Therefore, I think we learn a lot about this fruit when we start steering away from debt.” – DollarsandDoctrine.com

       “Debt can hinder our ability to hear God’s call on our life. We can have so many bills to pay that if God calls us to some type of work that pays less that what we’re currently making we may think we have a fuzzy connection. Living free from the bondage of debt frees us to hear and respond to whatever He calls us to.” – MattaboutMoney.com

       “Wonderful opportunities to serve the Lord are jeopardized when debt obligations demand our constant attention. It’s awfully hard to purchase airline tickets and the supplies needed to go on a missions trip when monthly payments for the Visa and line of credit consume most or all of our income above the basic necessities. Imagine how great it would be to hear of a need for help and be able to pay cash – not only to visit that country to work – but to generously give to the individuals who stay there serving the Lord when we return home! Financial freedom from debt not only releases us from repayment bondage but it allows us to answer God’s calling when asked to serve Him.” – StewardshipWeekly.com

       For more on the Christian Financial Alliance (or to join our team) click here.

       Readers, what would your answer be? What’s a spiritual reason to get out of debt? What did you think of the responses? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

In Debt ,
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The Christian Financial Alliance: Bringing Together Sound, Biblical Teaching

Corey —  January 3, 2011

Christian Financial Alliance Logo       On December 29, Rob at Dollars and Doctrine launched a new network of Christian Finance websites, the Christian Financial Alliance. The concept is simple: Define a set of core beliefs regarding biblical finance and hold ourselves accountable to it. After much thought, study, prayer, and help from other great blogs, he put together a list of 20 Core Beliefs of what the Bible teaches regarding money.

       I’ve chosen to join the Christian Financial Alliance. I hold myself accountable to teach and adhere to these fundamental teachings of Scripture in anything I post regarding biblical finance on Provident Planning.

       Want to add your blog or site to the Alliance? Read the core beliefs and if you agree, follow the simple instructions below:

       Put something on your site stating that you are a part of the Alliance. (How you go about doing this is completely up to you.)
 

    – Post link or link image as badge on sidebar, footer, etc. Or…
    – Post link back to this post somewhere on your site. Or…
    – Run this information (and 20 core beliefs) as a post/guest post on your site stating that you support the cause.
    – Email Rob to let him know that you support the effort and he will add your site to the C. F. Alliance.

 
       How you want to be a part is totally up to you. Anyone can join. There are no restrictions or policing by Rob (you hold yourself accountable). All you have to do is join with the honest effort of adhering to these core beliefs in your posting and teaching, and you are part of the C. F. Alliance! It is Rob’s hope that this network will provide readers with a foundational understanding of biblical financial truth from websites they already trust. In addition, Rob hopes it provides a level of distinction for bloggers who take great pains to make sure they are “accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Christian Financial Alliance Core Beliefs

  1. I believe Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). My heart, soul, mind, and strength seek to glorify God through the pursuit of Christ, and it is my hope that my life and financial management will reflect this fundamental purpose (Luke 10:27).

    2.  

  2. I believe the Bible is the supreme authority and source of truth and instruction for Christians; therefore, I seek to root my financial teaching in the truth of God’s word (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

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  3. I believe stewardship does not equal salvation (Acts 8:20). We are saved by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). No financial action can save a soul (Matthew 16:24-26).

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  4. I believe God owns everything (Psalm 89:11) and I am merely a steward of His resources for His purposes (Luke 12:42).

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  5. I believe the heart is the focus of the New Testament’s instruction regarding money (2 Corinthians 9:7). This does not make obedience contingent upon our feelings, but calls our attention to focus on the intentions of our heart (Proverbs 21:2).

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  6. I strive to be rich towards God (Luke 12:21) and not place my hope or trust in riches (Revelation 3:17-19).

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  7. I seek to serve God as my master, not money (Matthew 6:24).

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  8. I believe how we spend our money reveals what our heart treasures; therefore, if God’s kingdom has its rightful place in our hearts, it should show up in our budget (Matthew 6:21).

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  9. I believe prosperity is not the purpose of Christianity (John 6:29). It is a gift that God may or may not choose to give (1 Samuel 2:7), and should be handled with generosity and humility recognizing that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

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  10. I believe Christians are called to be content in all circumstances (Philippians 4:11) because God has given us everything we need in Christ (2 Peter 1:3).

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  11. I believe we are called to be wise stewards of resources (Luke 12:42) but not consumed with a love of money (1 Timothy 6:10).

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  12. I believe stewardship, generosity, and contentment are fruits of a deeper walk with Christ, not ends in themselves (1 John 5:21). I seek first His kingdom and wait for the rest to be added (Matthew 6:33).

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  13. I believe the Bible does not speak highly of the bondage caused by debt (Proverbs 22:7); therefore, it should—if nothing else—be approached with extreme caution (Proverbs 22:26-27).

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  14. I believe Christians are called to be generous (Acts 20:35) to their family (1 Timothy 5:8), God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 9:14), and those in need (1 John 3:17). After these things, we are free to spend money on ourselves (Proverbs 10:22).

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  15. I believe heavenly reward awaits those who choose to invest in God’s kingdom (Luke 12:33), and whether or not God chooses to bestow earthly reward is up to Him (Job 1:21).

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  16. I believe integrity is more important than financial gain (Proverbs 10:2).

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  17. I believe money can be a blessing and a curse depending on the heart of its holder (Luke 6:44-45).

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  18. I believe that the way we handle our money should be a testimony of our devotion to God not a distraction from Him. (Colossians 3:17)

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  19. I believe there are many things in life that are more important than money. (Proverbs 23:4-5)

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  20. I believe true riches are found in Christ alone. (Ephesians 3:8)

In Miscellaneous
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