PROVERBS 22
Proverbs 22:7
"Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender."Payroll.com did a study in 2023 that found 78% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. You may be one who falls into this category. The question we all have to ask ourselves is: How can we get out of living paycheck to paycheck?
It’s hard, because everything has gotten more expensive. Houses are becoming much harder to afford. New and used vehicles are climbing in price. Then we have food, childcare, insurance, entertainment, and whatever else comes our way. The bills keep coming, month after month. We all continue to feel the pressure.
But do we have to stay this way? The short answer is no. But it will be a long process. God doesn’t necessarily want us to be poor, but He warns us how hard it can be for the rich to enter Heaven. That warning is more about the heart than the wallet—but that’s a topic for another devotional.
As a Church, we have to start tackling this part of our lives and become wiser with how we spend our money. One of the most recognizable names in the Christian finance world is Dave Ramsey. Love his style or hate it, he’s lived the life of not having enough—and now has plenty. Some of what Dave teaches may feel extreme, but it works. And if you’re looking to begin the hard journey of no longer being a servant to lenders, take a look at what he teaches.
In fact, our church offers a class based on Dave Ramsey’s curriculum. Go sign up for it.
What we all eventually learn is that most of the stuff we think we “need” ends up collecting dust. But in the moment, it feels essential. We have to break out of that mentality—because what we want isn’t always what we need.
Let’s break free from this mindset together. We’ll be able to do greater things when we’re not strapped by bills every month.
PRAYERJesus, we ask that you take over our finances. We ask that you help us be smarter with what we buy. Jesus, we need you to show us what our next steps are. We know there are marriages that are struggling because of money and Lord we pray that you help them. Help us to take back our finances. Help us to get smarter. Help us to take the next step, maybe that is to get into a class to start a new era in our lives. Maybe it is just sitting down and writing out a budget. Lord guide to our next steps. We love you Jesus, Amen!