Escaping Debt using the Total Money Makeover

Today’s post is a gift to anyone with debt.

Turn a television on, open the paper, or just listen to passing conversations and at some point you will hear people talking about the economy.  The reality of just how messed up the economy is came home to me recently when I visited a friend who was losing her position as a pastor because the church she worked for couldn’t afford to pay her any longer.  Between wealthy members losing their wealth and a massive building debt, tough choices were forced upon this congregation.  Numerous families are also feeling the squeeze.  The December 2008 edition of Harper’s Index revealed these startling statistics: 47% of Americans say they live “paycheck to paycheck”.  21% of these individuals say they make over $100,000 per year.  I don’t know how that statistic hits you, but it is mind numbing and frightening to me.

One of the biggest demons in this whole nasty affair of money is a massive amount of consumer debt.  Debt wreaks havoc on you mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  When you are in debt you fail to give.  You get driven by fear and hard earned dollars that could be used to honor God or compassionately touch the lives of people in need get siphoned away into a nebulous black hole of interest payments.  When you are carrying debt Jesus’ warning in the gospel of Matthew that we cannot serve both God and mammon becomes a harsh and in some ways shameful reality.

So what do we do about it physically?

I think one of the most practical Christian authors out there addressing the situation is Dave Ramsey.  What he has to say works. His book, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, is an excellent resource for anyone out there plaque with debt.  I have never had massive debt, but I have had a few times where I needed to aggressively lean on the principles that Dave puts forward to get me back on track financially.  It works so I it is my recommended resource of the month.  For those of you feeling the crunch of the economy and in need of relief of this very real physical and spiritual threat of debt here are a few core components of what Dave recommends.

1)  Stop accumulating debt.  Physically eliminate cards or make them terribly in accessible.  I can’t recall if I read in Dave’s book or where, but I read about one woman who froze her credit card in a block of ice so that she couldn’t impulsively use it.  That may sound wacky, but it’s not as wacky as needlessly spending money you don’t have.

2) Create a budget and live within that budget. If you are not familiar with creating a budget there are numerous resources online that can teach you to do this.

3) Save and set aside a $1000 emergency fund before resolving debt and do it fast. This is often a very difficult concept for people to grasp.  Why would you do this?  What you don’t want to happen is for your debt resolution efforts to be constantly derailed by crisis. Getting out of debt is as much or more mental than mathematical.  You need to create momentum and sustain it. Having an emergency fund allows you to do this.  Getting hit with an emergency like the radiator on your car blowing and finding yourself amassing yet more debt while trying to resolve debt is incredibly disheartening.  It can even halt your efforts entirely.  Being able to cut a check for that blown radiator is the most amazing feeling.  You want to regain a sense of being in control of your finances once again, rather than living at the whim of your circumstances.  An emergency fund does that and is essential.

4)  Eliminate debt using what Dave calls the debt snowball. Pay minimum payments on all of your debts except your smallest.  Apply as much money to resolving that debt as you can.  Once that is resolved you take the money you were paying toward that first debt and apply it on your next debt along with whatever minimum you had been paying.  With each debt resolved you tack on what you have been paying toward the resolution of the next.  You can read more details about the debt snow ball at Dave’s website by clicking here.  I have done this before and there is something very freeing and relieving as your list of debts shrinks.   It is also becomes very empowering to begin making greater and greater payments.  Once again eliminating debt is as much mental as mathematical.

So what do we do about it spiritually?

1) In your budget make room to give to God even as you are resolving debt. This is a very basic application of “first fruits” giving.  As a spiritual and mental discipline consider writing you offering check first each month.  Not only is this a practical application of first fruits but it is a concrete expression of “Seek first the kingdom of God and all of these other things (the basic needs of life) shall be added unto you.”

2) Confess. Some people are in debt because of circumstances outside of their control.  Perhaps, you have been hit with an unforeseen medical emergency or loss of job.  That’s not your fault and you are not guilty in anyway.  So don’t worry about confession.  If however, you have been an irresponsible steward, living outside of your means, then you need have sinned and need to confess.  With out recognition and some true remorse you will likely find yourself back in the same financial messy behaviors again.

3)  Pray to discern need versus desire. I have always had the income I needed to meet my true needs.  When I have had debt it has typically been because I allowed myself to mistake desires for needs.  The desire most frequently mistaken for need is immediate gratification.  Debt is often a result of wanting something now that we could have debt free if we would just save and buy it later.  Learn to discern.  Pray for help in that.

4)  Pray for God to guide you in being a better steward.  The Holy Spirit will illuminate your mind as to what are very good and very bad decisions if you will ask for help and then pay attention.

I hope these suggestions are helpful.  Debt creates a prison of the heart and mind.  It shackle physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual resources that could otherwise be serving God.  If you are in debt I hope you will take some concrete practical steps today to begin escaping that prison.  God’s blessing to you as you do so.