Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. (2 Kings 4:1)
God wants you to be debt free! This principle is a foundation of financial freedom and is illustrated in the story found in 2 Kings 4. The passage tells of a woman who found herself in a very difficult circumstance. Her husband, a faithful servant of the Lord, had passed away, leaving her with a significant debt that she could not pay. The creditor was at her doorstep, demanding that her two sons become slaves to him to settle the debt.
Debt creates slaves to whatever institution holds the deed. When we free ourselves from the burden of debt, our finances transform. We suddenly have more resources at our disposal, as the money once spent on interest payments now remains in our hands. But how do we transition from a life ensnared by debt to one of financial freedom?
Humility - Embrace the idea that God's way, as laid out in His Word, is the path to financial freedom, not what you feel or think. Make a firm decision to follow His guidance.
Tithes and Offerings- Faithfully honor your commitment to tithes and offerings, a foundational step in aligning your finances with God's plan.
Pay Yourself First- Develop the habit of paying yourself before allocating funds to other expenses. That means putting aside an amount into savings each time you are paid, just like a bill.
Debt Elimination- Start by tackling smaller debts aggressively. As each debt is paid off, redirect those funds towards the next one, building momentum towards financial freedom.
Seek Wisdom- Listen to the Holy Spirit, Who will provide guidance on financial decisions. Be open to sowing seeds and blessing others, as this can lead to unexpected financial blessings.
Practical Application
Financial freedom is attainable through obedience to God's principles.