Bible Ballistics: BBs #630      5 “D”s Of Readiness???

 

An Edited Repost of Bible Ballistics: BBs #11

Our Sunday post asked, “Are you ready?”  I’d like to continue in that vein but with a more ‘material’ application.  Let’s think about the physical side of being “ready” as well as the spiritual side.  In the next few articles we will be looking at 5 things that deal with “readiness”: Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence. 

DEBT– The number one cause of conflict in most homes is a financial one—DEBT.  This is a problem of epidemic proportions and although we can’t solve it all here, we can consider some scriptural advice and apply it to our lives.

Matt. 6:11 says, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

The first principle of avoiding debt is to remember that Jesus tells us to pray for our “DAILY” bread.  I am to live in the “today” and within the means that I have TODAY!!! Romans 13:8 says:

“Owe no man any thing,

but to love one another:

for he that loveth another

hath fulfilled the law.”

Our personal goal is DEBT-FREE!!  Why?  So, I/we can love without the encumbrance of ‘DEBT’ draining all my/our time, effort and emotions, enabling us to be free from the chains of “debt”, as Proverbs 22:7 reveals:

“The rich

ruleth over the poor,

and the borrower

is servant to the lender.” 

Debt enslaves and should be avoided whenever possible, waiting until we can afford it because:

“Hope deferred

maketh the heart sick:

but when the desire cometh,

it is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12.  

Waiting brings a tree of “life”, rather than the enslavement of debt.

Where then is the balance?  We must live within our means and make decisions accordingly.  I don’t have to acquire the biggest, best or fastest – first.  God will never lead us to violate His Word, but to make good choices for ourselves and our loved ones based on Biblical principles.  We must create a legacy of reason & ‘readiness’…to pass on to our children.  So many today are entrapped in the vicious cycle of misery that debt can cause.

Even as the religious leaders were trying to entrap Jesus in regard to money (and I encourage you to read this entire passage).

“And he saith unto them,

Whose is this image and superscription?

21 They say unto him,

Caesar’s.

Then saith he unto them,

Render therefore unto Caesar

the things which are Caesar’s;

and unto God

the things that are God’s.”  Matthew 22:20-21.

When we keep God in His due place in our everyday lives, He will teach us how to exercise due diligence in the appropriate use of our resources.  So, be ready by being wise, biblically informed, and looking up as you/I live accordingly!!!