Monday 8, July 2013
TEXT: 2 KINGS 4:1-7
KEY VERSE: “Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest” (2 Kings 4:7).
Spurgeon was once invited by a wealthy man to come down and preach in a country church in order to help them raise funds to pay a debt. The man told Spurgeon he was free to use his country house, his town house, or his seaside home. Spurgeon declined coming; he wrote back and said, ‘Sell one of your homes and pay the debt yourself.’
In the text under consideration, this woman had suffered the death of her husband. She had creditors who pestered her because her husband had left her with much debt, and now the bondsmen had come to make her sons work off the debt (as slaves). Elisha came to speak a word to her to properly align her. Miraculously, her oil was multiplied and very soon she was in business. Elisha told her to pay her debt first and live on the rest.
It has been reported widely that the average American family holds over $10,000 dollars in credit card debt alone. Wouldn't it be great if someone paid off all mortgage commitments, student loans, and car payments such that every debt is invariably wiped out? Student, family and business debts can seem so enormous that the task of dealing with them appears insurmountable. The good news is that fairly minor changes in one’s lifestyle, finances and attitude can go a long way in solving the problem. With planning and commitment backed-up by prayer of faith, most debt problems can be resolved through strategic thinking and prudence. We must learn to live free of debts by budgeting, staying within the limits of our incomes and avoiding unnecessary expenses.
Do not be unrealistic about the budget you set for yourself. If you set targets you can’t achieve, you will become demoralized and find it harder to manage your situation. Finally, avoid worry and anxiety – these are two grave diggers. They tend to bury you while you are still alive. Above all, ask and receive godly wisdom to overcome all the challenges of life.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The debtor is often a victim of inordinate appetites.
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