Friday: Further Thought – “Debt – A Daily Decision”
Further Thought: Every natural ability, skill, or gift comes from God, whether we were genetically born with it, influenced and educated by our environment, or both. The important part of the equation is what we do with the abilities and skills we have. God expects stewards to learn to be masters of their skills and abilities through education and practical experience (Eccles. 10:10).
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Bezalel was filled “with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship” (Exod. 35:31, NKJV). He and Aholiab (Exod. 35:34) had the ability to teach others their craft.
We can learn to be better stewards and specifically to eliminate debt while living in a materialistic world. We should always be developing our skills through reading, seminars, formal education, (whenever possible), and ultimately practice what we have learned. Growing our skills enables us to give our best to God and to be good stewards.
The parable of the talents indicates that each servant received talents “according to his own ability” (Matt. 25:15, NKJV). Two servants doubled their amounts; the third hid his in the ground. We should always strive to improve what we have, but burying the talent did not show any ability or skill. Managing money, getting out of debt, cultivating discipline, and practical experience develop competencies that are blessed by God. To become successful and good at something, we must repeat it again and again.
“As the lessons of the Bible are wrought into the daily life, they have a deep and lasting influence upon the character. These lessons Timothy learned and practiced. He had no specially brilliant talents, but his work was valuable because he used his God-given abilities in the Master’s service.” – Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 205.
Discussion Questions:
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I got baptized into SDA in 2011 through watching Hope tv. Since 2011 to date, I have been studying every adult Sabbath school Bible study guide and at some times a teacher in my units. This week lesson, 'Debt A Daily Decision' appears to be more interesting to me. Probably because this is the only lesson that is different from every other lesson I have learned. Every other lessons teaches the Bible and how to obey it but this week lesson talks about me and how I can manage my finances to the glory of God. They say, 'all work no play makes Jack a dull boy'. At this point I want to conclude that when we are writing our lessons, we should at times write to counsel the readers.
living within the means. I found the lesson very helpful. I find it very practical at this time
Being out of debt and within our financial means is good for our health. We do need to watch over our gains. "Easy comes easy goes!"
It is important to give to our family a good example on this matter. Managing money is a talent that we are all invited by God to do well! And this can reflect in our state of mind and consequently in our bodies. God wants us all to be balanced in everything!
Remember that in our life today the one and only great debt, and it is a debt that we has human being can not repay, is what Jesus did for sinners at Calvary. This is the motivation and reason we are to love our brothers and sisters in the same way we are to love God. And it has nothing to do with the last paragraph of Wednesday lesson.
I enjoyed this lesson because of the practicality of it. We live in the world and have to be reminded that we should not follow the financial habits of the world. It is simple: If you don't have cash for whatever you want to buy, you can't afford it. Save the money. Don't put the expense on a credit card. Buying a house is an exception. Some would say buying a car is also an exception, but my husband and I have purchased three cars by saving the money and writing a check. We have not had a car loan since 2004. We have also paid off two houses. One house we lived in for 19 years and the other we have lived in for 3 and a half. Get a mortgage loan with a 15 year term instead of 30 years. We got a loan with only a 10 year term on our second house and paid it off in 3 and a half years. How did we do it? God's blessings and delayed gratification. As Dave Ramsey says, " Act your wage!" Blessings
Thank you for your encouraging testimony. Yes, getting a mortgage for the shortest possible term, rather than the longest is the most responsible way. And make sure the terms allow for accelerating payments.
And thank you for your reference to Dave Ramsey, America's financial guru who gives biblically inspired financial advice. We recommend his classic The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, available on Amazon in Kindle or Hardcover format. It has guided many a family out of a deep financial hole, proving that biblical principles work in the modern world.
If you're totally unfamiliar with Dave Ramsey, you might want to look in on his Youtube channel: The Dave Ramsey Show.