Management 5

Proverbs 22:26-27

There are few things in my life that are more reassuring and more personal than my bed. My bed is where I sleep each night, finding a wonderful place of relief and security. My bed is where I lie when I am sick or just need a break from the tensions of life. My bed represents the most intimate and private part of my life, and also the source of the most comfort and security.

In these two verses from Proverbs we have mention of a bed. What should we not do? Why not?

This wise saying is a caution against risky business dealings. It is a warning against over-extending yourself, your finances, and your credit. Don’t enter into pledges and promises that put your possessions at risk. Don’t borrow so much money that all you own is used as collateral.

Our current culture is one in which indebtedness is the norm. Most people are involved in some form of debt. Most people owe money on their homes. Many owe money on their cars. Some have debt owed on medical expenses or perhaps investments.

It is not uncommon to have some debt and there is nothing really wrong with having some debt. Debt on housing and automobiles can be expected. But this is reasonable debt, and usually debt which can be managed.

Problems arise, however, when people get into serious debt with every day living. A large problem in our economy is the fact that so many people are deeply in debt - $20,000 to $50,000 – for such things as clothing, food and vacations. And this debt is owed through credit cards with high interest rates.

What could happen? Creditors could literally foreclose and take away your possessions, even your very bed. On a less literal level, such debt takes away that sense of comfort, ease and security a bed might represent.

If we can honestly assess what we have and what we can afford, if we can put God first and then be certain we are providing for the NEEDS (not the wants and luxuries) of our families, if we can control our desires to want more and more and more, finding contentment in what God has provided, we will more likely avoid the troubles of losing all we have, even the very personal and secure parts of our life.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to begin reducing your debt?

Forgive One Another 1

Matthew 18:23-35

As we move forward in our series on how to interact with one another, we arrive at perhaps one of the most difficult concepts to live out. Not only are we to accept one another, fellowship with one another and teach one another, we must learn to forgive one another.

We begin with a lengthy reading from Matthew; however, it is a parable that may be familiar to most. How does this story of canceled debts relate to us? How often are we in the position of the first servant?

The parable is clear, as is the purpose of parables. In the story it is money owed which is forgiven, or not forgiven. In our lives it is our sin.

The king was able to have mercy on the servant who was indebted, just as God is able to have mercy on each of us even though we are indebted to God because of our sin. Because we have failed and done wrong we deserve punishment. We are in debt to God because we should serve our sentence or accept the punishment due.

But God can remove that debt in His mercy. He cancels the owed debt of punishment through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Now, how will we act toward one another? Are we able to forgive those who have done wrong against us? Can we be like God in His mercy and forgive? Or will we forget that we have been given a great gift from God and we should share that attitude of forgiveness and mercy with others?

Although we may be tempted to hang on to our hurt feelings and look for opportunities to get even or pay back the wrong, we need to remember that not one of us is free of the debt we owe God. If we can be forgiven, then we should be forgiving in our dealings with one another.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Have you thanked God for the release of debt He has offered you?