Challenge to eliminate debt
By Ruth Schenk | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Wearing a backpack filled with 70 pounds of weights that represented the burden of debt, Southeast Senior Minister Dave Stone challenged members of the church to dramatically
reduce or eliminate their debt in the next seven years. The Aug. 20 and 21 sermon titled “Seven Years” closed a series that included “Seven Days,” which focused on honoring a
day of rest and “Seven Weeks,” which focused on forgiveness.
Stakes in gaining financial freedom are high. Stone pointed out that in America, where half of marriages end in divorce, the No. 1 cause is financial conflict. The average American
carries $5,000 in credit card debt and an average $172,000 in mortgage debt. In addition, the typical American tends to live on 108 percent of what they make, Stone said.
“Debt will rob you of your sleep, your joy and your generosity,” Stone said. “Debt is giving ourselves something God hasn’t given us yet.”
Stone outlined four steps to eliminating debt:
- Give generously to the work of the Lord.
- Assess your personal financial situation.
- Spend less than you earn.
- Develop a budget and get started today.
“When we are faithful, God will stretch our dollars,” Stone said. “It will take time, strategy and discipline, but it can be done. And it will create a new testimony in the community
through generosity.”
It wasn’t a challenge for just the congregation.
Stone said church leaders have been working to eliminate debt in their own lives and in church finances. Five years ago, Southeast accelerated debt repayment on the
Blankenbaker Campus and paid off the note last January. The next goal is to retire the debt on the Indiana Campus, which opened in April 2009.
Stone also told those who have no debt: Be humble, be a resource to others and be generous.
He urged everyone to take seven days to pray about the next seven years so that by August 2018, members of the congregation will be debt free except for the mortgages on
their homes. He cited Deut. 8:18a: “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who give you the ability to produce wealth…”
At weekend services, Aug. 27 and 28, people will be able to indicate what God has led them to do through prayer. Members will be encouraged not to sign their names, as this
is a commitment with God and not with Southeast Christian Church.