Some of you out there are struggling to find financial freedom. The lure of shining objects – whether it be the newest fashion in clothing, the biggest home movie set-up or the latest iDevice – continue to keep you trapped in the vicious cycle of overspending and ever-growing debt.
Some, of course, believe that the world is going to end this year – or, at least, that the economy is on its way to the dumps – and so you’re going to live it up and accrue as much debt as you want because, hey, you’re never going to be held accountable for it.
But I’m not talking to that group. I’m talking to those who have morals and good intentions but just can’t seem to escape from the bad habit of debt. So to those people – to you, if the shoe fits – I want to give a list of compelling reasons to force yourself out of that trap. It’s just a partial list, off the top of my head:
- The American Red Cross
- Third World orphanages
- Women’s shelters
- Animal shelters
- Crisis pregnancy centers
- Abuse hotline centers
- U.S. orphanages
- Girls and Boystown (and similar organizations that help hurting and troubled youth)
- Prison rehab. Programs
- Private faith-based rehab programs
- Local food bank
- Entrepreneurial programs for Third-World residents
- The Salvation Army
- Your neighbor two doors down who desperately needs temporary in-home nursing care but can’t afford it on his own
- The 70-year-old lady at your church living off Social Security who just broke her laptop and will never be able to save up for another one
Do you get my drift? When you have financial freedom, you are in a much greater position to give to those in need. When you are financially free, you can be free with your finances.
You are free to give.
Sure, you can give to charities and needy people when you are in debt, but at what cost? You put $50 in the offering plate to help out the visiting missionary – and that night you toss and turn, wondering if you’ll have enough money to do your grocery shopping next week. You donate $10 to the Salvation Army at Christmas, completely frustrated that you can’t take a name off the tree and buy $100 worth of gifts for a needy child in your city.
When you don’t have the gorilla of debt breathing down your neck, you not only gain financial freedom, but also human freedom. After all, the ability to bless a fellow traveler on the journey is the greatest contribution you can make to the world.
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