Testimony Tuesday – Escaping The Vicious Cycle

How to escape the Vicious Cycle! 

I recently taught a Sunday School class in my home church. The first week, I gave them the basics of what I call the Vicious Cycle versus the Virtuous Cycle. When we exercise poor financial habits, we create a vicious cycle. Overspending leads to debt. Debt creates stress. Stress can lead to more spending, additional borrowing, and marital conflict. Before long, financial pressure begins influencing decisions, relationships, and our ability to give.

But the opposite is also true. When we follow God’s financial principles, we create a virtuous cycle. Spending less than we earn creates margin. This allows us to save, which helps us to handle emergencies without borrowing. Less debt reduces financial stress and grants freedom. This creates opportunities to give generously and to serve others. Galatians 6:7 reminds us, “A man reaps what he sows.” Small decisions, repeated consistently, eventually produce significant results.

Following my teaching, a gentleman approached me. He told me he attended a Crown training in China back in the early 2000’s. Well, I had traveled extensively there early in my time with Crown. I was especially moved to meet this man. Anyone trapped in a vicious financial cycle can change his life by deciding to create a spending plan. Stop adding new debt. Begin saving something no matter how small. Ask the Lord for wisdom and seek wise counsel. Replace your destructive habits with good ones, and you’ll thrive in the virtuous cycle.

And if you’re struggling with credit card debt, let Christian Credit Counselors help. They’ll create a debt management plan just for you. For more information, visit online at crown.org/ccc.