Arise and Build!

Its the season of Arise and Build! This is the 3rd week in which Pst Kong had kick start the message. And this week, is the week I really can sense that the message is speaking directly to me.

BREAKING THE CURSE OF DEBT

Luke 16:13 says
"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

We cannot serve God if we're bow down with debts.

So whats the difference between a loan and debt?

Loans
- they are borrowed money that's serviceable. (serviceable means payable)

for example, you apply for a tuition fee loan for your university fees. because you know its for your education, and with a higher education, your value will increase and time to time you will be able to pay back your loan, which is in this case serviceable.

- invest in assets that appreciate. assets such as houses.

for example, you apply for housing loan. Owning a house is an asset, and this asset will increase its value over the years.

Debts
- they are borrowed money that's unserviceable.

For example. You applied for a credit card and soon after you find yourself struggling to pay even the minimum sum to be paid every month. so you applied for another credit card to pay off your credit card loan. You are in this case, digging your own grave.

- invest in things that depreciate.

For example. You borrow money to buy a car and even go for a holiday! A car value drops once its bought. And quoting from my personal financial planner lecturer "you don't even deserve to go on a holiday if you even need to get what?!a holiday loan?!" quite ridiculous some people are, i should say. no offence though.

moving on.

Proverbs 22:6 says
"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:7 says
"The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender"

Proverbs 22:6 looks like a typical sunday school verse. But reading on to Proverbs 22:7, we can see that what Proverbs 22:6 is trying to tell us is that we (as family, parents) should train up a child in managing finances. A child should not grow up in a debt environment - meaning, going on a holiday on a holiday loan, watching the television with the television purchased in Hired purchased, living in a house with mortage/house loan yet to be paid off after 10years.

"The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender" How true. If we're in debt, we are forever a slave (not servant but slave) to debts and thus we can't serve God wholeheartedly.

Our God is a good God. He's a debt-cancelling God for he wants us to get out of debts.

Debts is a demonic thing! we must be angry with it but not live with it.

Kick off the habit of borrowing!

Deut. 15:6 says
"For the LORD your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow...."

Deut. 28:12 says
"The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your hand in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow."

Ps. 37:21
"The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives."

Here are some steps you can take:

1. Keep good RECORDS (of your spending)

Ignorance (of spending) + Easy borrowing = Disaster!

2. PLAN my spending

Proverbs 21:20 (GNB)
"...stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it."

3. REDUCE my debts rapidly.

Proverbs 3:27-28 (TLB)
"Don't withhold repayment of your debts. Dont say "some other time, if you can pay now."

4. Pay my TTHES faithfully to the house of God

5. Give my best OFFERINGS to God.

Benefits of tithing: (Malachi 3:10-11)
1. Church will be a blessing to all
2. Heaven will be open
3. Devourer will be rebuked away
4. Hard work will bear fruit
5. Spirit led investments will appear

Yeap thats all! There are actually a lot more to type. But not sure if anyone will read this faithfully from the first word to the last word. Haha. Posted it up because I really like this week's Arise and Build's message and also, for SHU YI:D haha!

You can all download free family budget template online HERE! Then go under "Family Budget Template"

That will be all!
Thank you Pst Kong for such a great message!=)

Remember, curses are meant to be broken. Our God is a good God=)