The Journey to Debt Free Living God’s Way
Debt Free Living God’s Way
Intro
What is financial freedom? Financial freedom is the "financial peace of mind" that comes when you accept God's position as the "Owner" and your position as a steward or "manager." You begin to experience financial freedom when you have the material "things" of this life and begin to put aside worry, frustration, greed, covetousness, or a get rich quick attitude. You can enjoy financial freedom whether you owe or own a little or a lot, whether you are young or young-at-heart, whether you are single or married, male or female. Financial freedom means peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding.
That's what financial freedom is, but how do you get it? I hesitate to suggest a financial freedom "list" or a "method" because peace with God is based on a relationship, not a list of rules and regulations. But, there are some steps you can take to start your journey toward financial freedom and Debt Free Living God's Way.
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Step One: Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
Only then can the Holy Spirit lead you to understand and apply what God's Word has to say. Have you come to the place in your life where you know for sure that if you die today you will go to heaven? If you have any doubts, please talk with your pastor, a Christian friend, or click on "Christ At The Center" on our Internet home page at www.good-steward.org.
Step Two: Saturate your mind with God's way of thinking.
Simply put, you need to get into His Word to understand what He has to say and why. Your mind is probably so in a tune to the world's way of thinking that you first must become orientated or reoriented to God's way of thinking. God tells you that His Word cleanses you as it washes away the impurities of this world. You need to hear, read, memorize, meditate and study the Word of God. Make no mistake, this step is work, hard work, and it takes time and discipline. But remember, this step isn't working for your salvation. It is the process Paul calls working out your salvation.
Step Three: Transfer ownership of everything you have to God.
How? It can be very simple. One way is to write down on a sheet of paper, "Today, God, I deed over to you everything in my possession" (all your stuff, your family, your job, your health, or education, etc.) Then sign it, date it, and stick it on the mirror or refrigerator so you can see it.
Does God care about that piece of paper? No! He does care about your attitude. The reason why you write that note is to help the Holy Spirit help you keep your attitude in check. The piece of paper reminds you of the attitude you want to have and the promise you made. It helps to remind you that God is the owner.
Step Four: Pray.
Prayer was important to Jesus and it ought to be important to you. The Bible tells you that Jesus would get up before daylight to pray. Sometimes He would spend the whole night praying. Jesus made spending time with God the number one priority in His life. That is how Jesus knew what God wanted Him to do.
His disciples knew by watching Jesus' lifestyle that His power was connected to the time He spent praying. I believe that's why they asked Him, "Lord, teach us to pray..." (Luke 11:1).
You need to bring your concerns to God through prayer, then, give God time to provide. But, your normal attitude may be more like, "I want it and I want it now."
In counseling I hear some say, "I'm just waiting on God. I'm waiting on God to bless me, to prosper me...I'm waiting on Him to deliver me." Sure, these statements sound good, almost spiritual. But I wonder if these folks really know much about God. Because the Bible clearly teaches that when it comes to the blessings of God, we are not waiting on Him. He is waiting on us! And, He's been waiting for a long time. What is He waiting for? Mostly, our obedience (2 Chronicles 16:9). Remember, patience in the Kingdom, waiting in the Kingdom, is never a waste of time. Patience frees God to answer prayer.
When you pray, you need to pray according to His will. How do you know the will of God? I believe you need to ask the right question. For example, I used to pray, "God, please show me Your will for my life." Now I believe there is a better question, "Lord, please show me Your will." Do you see the difference? "His will, rather than His will for my life." What I find is that He shows me His will by showing me where He's working. When He shows me where He's working, that's His invitation for me to come along. Only then does His will becomes His will for my life. I need to place the emphasis on His will, not my life.
I don't believe God will often show you what He is going to do. But He does promise you to always reveal to you who He is–and that is really all you need to begin to discern God's will.
When you pray, you need to give God time to respond, seek His will, and learn to follow His directions. No matter how slight God's instructions may seem to you, you need to take them seriously. Remember, God does not often start showing you His will by sending you to Africa. He more often starts in the little things. He starts where you are today. He might tell you one little thing to do that will change your whole life. But He probably won't tell you that if you do "it" your whole life will change. He'll just tell you to do it. If you choose to obey, your whole life will be wonderfully and marvelously changed. If you don't, it won't.
These are the first four of eight steps you can take along God's path to financial freedom. We'll look at the next four next time.
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Bob Louder is the Founder and President of Christian Financial Ministries (www.good-steward.org). Bob is also the author of the new best selling book, "Debt Free Living God's Way," available only on the Internet (www.debtfreelivinggodsway.org). Since 1987 Bob has helped people in hundreds of churches all across the country and in the European military community learn, understand, apply and pass on "Debt Free Living God's Way" principles and practical applications. He has represented some of the top Christian financial authors and ministries to include Larry Burkett, Dave Ramsey, Christian Financial Concepts, and Crown Ministries.
Copyright 2006 Christian Financial Ministries, Inc., All Rights Reserved. You may reprint this "Special Report" in whole or in part without permission from Christian Financial Ministries, Inc. Please credit material used to Christian Financial Ministries, Inc.
