Financially Free In 2003
GTCOTR/ws010803
Before we get started tonight:
194. No one of us can do everything, but each one of us can do something and every one of us can do one thing.
(One thing -- treat others the way you want to be treated)
It has been said that every person gets their 15 minutes of fame. It may well be that in those minutes of lime light, people get the chance to make some decisions, monumental decisions, decisions which affect the broad stream of life around them.
Perhaps maturity and the big picture is being able to put ourselves not just in another person’s shoes, but in every other person’s shoes, before making the monumental decisions of life.
Romans 13:10 Love works no ill to his neighbor.
Luke 10:27 Jesus said to love God with everything and love your neighbor as yourself.
A certain lawyer desiring to confuse the truth and justify his own point of view, rose up and ask Jesus, Who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29)
Counting The Cost of Debt
Point #191 The test of life is what we do with what God has given us.
Key Scripture: Luke 14
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
So often I hear people remark that, if they could, they would be glad to get rid of something they have, or everything they have, if they could only find someone to pay it off.
Many people would be happy to be at zero, but are in a hole, living in ‘minus land’.
Perhaps this is due to not having accurately counted the cost before making the commitment. Thank God there is a tomorrow in your future where there is no debt hanging over you and robbing you of the joys and blessings of life.
Not all debt is bad debt. Over indebtedness and petty debt is bad.
I. Hard Sayings
A. John 6
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60 ¶ Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
B. A hard saying is a word from God which you are not currently living
1. Forgive
2. Submit
3. Honor
4. Tithe
5. Witness
6. Owe no man anything but love Romans 13:8
II. 5 Points To Ponder
#1. God wants you to have money but He will not tolerate money having you.
#2. One reason you cannot buy what you want is because you bought what you wanted.
#3. The problem with a dollar is that it can only be spent one time. Saying ‘yes’ to one thing may mean saying ‘no’ to another.
#4. The quickest way to get a raise is to cut a bill.
#5. You have heard the joke, “I am so poor I can’t even pay attention.” Well, perhaps that’s why some people seem poor, Perhaps some aren’t paying attention.
III. Now, Pay Attention …
Note: This is primarily aimed at people who want out of all or part of the debt they are in. If you are not in that position, pay close attention, this is what you will use to both stay out of trouble and to help others who are already in financial stress.
When you are in a hole you want to get out of … the first thing you need to do is:
A. First -- Stop Digging
B. Next -- Take Inventory
C. Then -- Get A Plan
IV. Get A Plan
A. Take On A Managing Partner - Jesus!
B. Adopt A Reference Guide - The Bible!
1. Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
2. Learn to distinguish between bread and seed (seed won’t meet the need unless and until after it is sown)
3. Genesis 26:12 Isaac sowed in the land of famine
4. Genesis 28:20 Jacob’s vow to tithe on his increase
5. Proverbs 3 Pay your bills on time - early if possible
27 ¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
6. Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
C. Attack The Weakest
D. Have A Plan For Extra, Unexpected Money
1. Put it into your account for at least a week
2. Stick to the plan
