Pat and Chris Duran were quickly being swallowed by the black hole of debt. Their story reflects a frightening trend in our world today.

    It was poor budgeting, a loss of a job, legal bills, financial pressures and mismanaged funds that let them to run up $47,000 of credit card debt. They lost their home.

    Now credit cards are coming to us in the mail almost daily. We’re offered pre-approved lines of credit. We all know the temptation to charge more than we can certainly pay. So don’t you think we need to rethink the whole matter living within our means?

“Don’t put your hope in wealth…”

    I think we need to look at the mountain mover, Jesus Christ, and through his power, say “No!” to banks and to credit cards to meet our financial need. Instead, putting our trust in God, carefully planning and budgeting, we can be good stewards of all the things he has given to us.

    1 Timothy says it this way, “Don’t put your hope in wealth which is so uncertain. Put your hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

    Can we be stewards? Under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, yes we can and yes we must! If we will surrender to this Lordship, not only will we be saved from the black hole of debt, but we will find God gracious and life full of joy.

For more help on dealing with crisis, call toll free 1(800)759-3300, or write herald@abilene.com, attn: Randy Becton, and ask for Randy’s free personal booklet, Suffering: Is there a hopeful word?

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