GIF Symptoms of Financial Bondage
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:13-14 NIV)
Symptoms of Financial Bondage
by Chuck Bentley
Like Paul, it’s critical that you keep an eternal perspective while you’re in this life.
When your focus shifts to the things of this world, you run the risk of financial bondage as you seek to accumulate everything you feel is necessary to make you comfortable.
The more you accumulate, the busier you become, and before you know it, you’re too entangled in worldly things to completely fulfill God’s purpose for your life.
Following is a list of common symptoms associated with financial bondage.
- You think so much about money and the future that you have no peace with God and can’t focus on things outside of day-to-day existence.
- You can’t give as generously as you want to give.
- You’re not at peace living on what God has provided and often yearn for things you don’t have.
- You’re not working as if the Lord was your employer. Perhaps you’re underperforming, or maybe you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum and you’re a workaholic.
- You constantly argue with other family members over money.
- You can’t or don’t pay off consumer debt obligations in full each month.
- You’re considering a consolidation loan.
- You’re receiving notices of past due bills and charging items because you can’t pay cash.
- You’re spending money as a form of emotional therapy.
If some or all of these symptoms describe you, take action to bring your finances into line with God’s financial principles. The path to financial freedom may not be easy. After all, you didn’t get into debt overnight, and chances are you won’t come out of it overnight. But the result is worth the effort as you become better able to have an eternal impact in a temporary world.
Daily Scripture Reading:
Job 29 – 31