Charge it! The credo of thousands of Americans when it comes to purchasing.

Nothing in the area of finances has so dominated or influenced the direction of western society the last 30 years as charge card purchases and debt. It is amazing when we consider that only a generation ago credit cards were unknown.

Credit card debt
With the annual credit card debt growing twice as fast as wages, credit card debt in America currently accounts for more than a third of our total consumer indebtedness.

In fact, over the past decade Americans have typically paid almost as much annually on credit card debt as they have on their home mortgages.

Considering that over half of the households in America report having difficulty paying even their minimum monthly payments, it seems quite obvious that a major cause of credit card struggles has to do with a person or family trying to live beyond their means.

Credit cards are not the problem
However, credit cards are not the problem; it is the misuse of credit cards in our society that creates the problem. “The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naïve go on, and are punished for it” (Proverbs 22:3).

This being the case, if people would abide by the following four fundamental rules regarding the use of credit cards, they would greatly reduce their tendency to misuse credit cards.

1. Never use your credit cards for anything except budgeted purchases.
   
2. Pay each credit card off every month. Do not allow the balance to go over a month resulting in interest charges.
   
3. Make a commitment that the very first month you have a credit card bill you cannot pay in full, you will destroy the card and never use it again.
   
4. Keep in mind that just because you can afford something, you do not necessarily need to buy it.

Conclusion
Debt-free living is God's plan for us today. The blessings of becoming debt free go far beyond the financial area. They extend to the spiritual realm as well.

As such, there is nothing wrong with using credit cards if people are able to discipline their use by following the suggested rules above for credit card use. If they can, the safety, convenience, and ease of credit cards is unequaled.