It’s been a few years now, but I am still on a road… and that road leads to debt free living. Bob runs around the ministry heralding “operation debt free” and I just smile and say yes, I want that too. Truly, I cannot wait for the day that all my debt is paid off. When I jumped ship from the real world of certain salary and landed here in the world of non-profit ministry (thus, meager income), I was not debt free. I had almost $30,000 in credit card and personal debt. Now, almost 3 years later, I have trimmed it down to less than $10,000! It is awesome to be able to see that number decreasing. I am so pumped for the day that I will no longer be a slave to Discover. I just paid off Chase yesterday – $1,063.57. With no car payments, and less than $1,000 left on school loans, I have learned to live lean – to cut the fat as it were. St. Paul speaks of running a race with no encumbrances – throwing off anything that slows us down, and I believe that also translates to our financial life. For if we are to be true stewards of what God has entrusted us with, we need to learn to live differently. And slowly, people are realizing this and changing their lifestyles. Not only are 64% of Americans obese with fat bodies, but I would say the percentage of Americans who are obese with “stuff” would be even higher! Our country is fat with lifestyles of conspicuous consumption and it has to change.
On a similar note, I often read the blog of a writer in Kansas City – Katy McKenna Raymond – who, with her husband, is also undertaking a journey of living lean, trimming back, and just generally finding identity in who she is… not what she has. I would definitely recommend anyone reading her site as it so often makes me laugh and comment aloud … even in public.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
I would love to see you bent over your computer in public, reading my blog, laughing out loud. That would make my day!!! 🙂 Thanks for mentioning fallible here.
It’s great to hear that you’re cutting down the financial fat. We’ve had many a conversation about this, and it makes me happy.
I know that from time to time people look at me and notice that I don’t drive a fancy car or wear new clothes all the time. But in my head, I’m thinking, “But do you know how many thousands of dollars in school debt I’ve paid off in the last 3 years? I’m setting myself up for a better future.”
Keep on.
What a testimony to living the Fasted Lifestyle…$20,000 has been paid off since living this life! Not getting two or three jobs, but seeking first the Kingdom of God and “all these things” have been added unto you!
I love what Kirk Bennett said about five years ago speaking of living a life of Night and Day Prayer as an Intercessory Missionary, “I make far more money now than I ever have…I also give far more money away than I ever have.”
…”God will multiply seed to the sower and bread for food…” II Corinthians 9:10