Unheeded advice

A very good friend of mine is in deep financial turmoil. After spending a couple of hours with him last night my conclusion is that there is no easy way out of his predicament. His problem is that he absolutely has no self-discipline. When he has money he blows it. When he does not have money he blows it, (utilizing credit cards). He has now amassed $50,000 in credit card debt and the high interest is killing him.

Nearly two years ago he was in exactly the same predicament and I advised him to use the equity in his home to obtain a loan and pay off the credit cards and other debt he had amassed and then very importantly to cut those credit cards up. I helped him put together his financial statement and a business plan and advised him what to tell the bank in order to get the loan. He went to all five banks down in the small community in which we live and he got his loan. He obtained the loan and paid down the debt and had fifty thousand dollars left over as working capital for his small business. Now just a short time later he is right back where he began.

He went through his working capital like a kid in a candy store and then he used credit cards. He is now planning to do the same thing he did last time and get another equity loan. His equity is shrinking and soon that will not be an option, but for at least one more round, it is an option as he does have fairly substantial equity in his home. I sadly shook my head and told him that I was afraid that after he got the loan he would just end up the same way due to his lack of self control and the last thing he needed was fifty thousand dollars as he would blow through it like castor oil through a kid as soon as he laid his hands on it. I told him that he needed to put the money somewhere where he could not spend it, perhaps invest in bonds and then use a credit line against it if he got in a bind. He told me that was not really the solution; what he needed he said, was to change his ways concerning spending. Yes it would be difficult, but just like quitting smoking or drinking it can be done. “Fine”, I said, “Give me your credit cards right now and I will cut them up for you”. He looked at me like I had lost my mind and laughed.

No he will not give them up. This reminds me of Christians that refuse to give up that sin that haunts them and prevents them from enjoying life to its fullest. We know what we need to do, but when faced with the temptation we succumb to it. Unfortunately my friend could very likely end up losing his home and his business if he does not change. The same holds true with Christians in that there will be a heavy price to pay if we ignore God and His commands. Sin does not go unpunished and we cannot go on forever living in it without suffering its consequence, (as the Bible clearly states).

Sooner rather than later my buddy needs to get serious about changing his ways, just as many of us need to get serious about removing sin far from our lives, “sooner rather than later” and before it is too late. My buddy obviously needs help in withstanding temptation on his own. Unfortunately my friend does not listen to me when I witness to him about God and the power of prayer in helping to provide the strength necessary to withstand temptation either. Remember the Bible tells us that temptation comes from satan and God cannot and does not tempt anyone; it comes from satan. Satan is too big of a foe to defeat by ourselves; so if you are saddled with succumbing to temptation, team up with our mighty God and watch as victory replaces defeat in your life and renders you peace.

Romans 16:20
And the God of peace will
crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with you. Amen.