June 1 – Debt (1)

"Otherwise, you may say in your heart, 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.' "But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day” - Deuteronomy 8:17-18

In Newcastle we are familiar with SmartStewardship.

You imagine that good Seventh-day Adventist money problems mean that an individual might have a problem paying off a credit card occasionally. You might imagine that the impact would be a low offering occasionally or even a problem with giving tithe. I have news for you. Good Seventh-day Adventist’s have real money problems with real world impact and real spiritual impact.

If I were to tell you that five good Seventh-day Adventist individuals needed to repay £75,000 just to clear consumer debts you might be shocked. You would begin to understand that such people might have chronic problems with offerings and tithes. You would also be able to work out that the personal spiritual impact would include guilt and secrecy.

Over the next few weeks, on Wednesdays, I will reveal the simple steps that these five individuals have taken which have taken them from indebtedness to spiritual growth. The five individuals, you will meet them over time, are our original SmartStewards.

The story begins as a young married couple realised the depth of their money problems and sought a financial solution which might help them. The initial solution came from a financial advisor. The real solution came from God and gave rise to an opportunity to minister to the people God loves. The focus for us will take us to look at Dave Ramsey’s ‘7 baby steps’ – but started with the realisation that there was a problem that could not be solved without external help.

What happened to the young married couple? They have paid off all of their debts. They are completely debt free. They have a plan for life that their children share and which has seen over 500 people influenced for good for God. Please share a little of their journey – because I have a feeling that their journey might be yours as well.

Next week – the first baby step

#SMARTSTEWARDS

Facebook – SmartStewards: Healthier Finances

Music today is by The Martins – LIVE - “The Promise.” Click on the picture to listen.