How would being debt free change your marriage? 

I ask the question and dream of that day when my wife and I are debt free, at the same time. At times it seems like an impossible dream. But I was just reading about a young married couple on CNNMoney.com that has reduced their debt significantly. Hearing of how their marriage has improved, has stimulated some thoughts…

Just think of all of the stress, the arguments and the anxiety that could be erased from  relationships by erasing credit car debt, car loans, and their mortgage, etc… What vacation could you take, what intimacy could be enjoyed, what could you give your kids, if so many bills were not standing in the way? I promise the point of this post is not to drive us all to tears. Rather, the point is to encourage us to begin a plan of eliminating our debt.

I am not a financial expert – at all. So let’s leave the hardcore financial advice to those that are. In fact, if you have some insight, please share, I am all ears. But, more importantly than the financial discipline that we have to display to reduce our debt, how do we prepare ourselves to to tackle our mountain of debt, spiritually?

4 Spiritual Debt Reduction Perspectives

1. Little By Little. Teach us to be patient in the process of reducing debt. Exodus 23:30 I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land. A mountain of debt did not appear over night. We worked our way into our mountain, probably, over a period of years. In a similar perspective, God told Israel that He would clear the way into the “promised land” in front of them little by little, until they were able to possess what God had for them. Settle into the work of reducing debt, it is most likely going to take some time and the help of the Lord to get to the land of Debt Free.
2. Perspective of Needs.  God, shift our perspectives about our spending habits. Jesus reminds us of a perspective of seeking God’s righteousness, above the many counterfeits. When we do so, God adds everything that we need to us…                                                                   Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?      Matthew 6:30-32 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
3. Learned Contentment. God, teach us to be content with what we have and where we are. What can we go with out, in order to gain financial freedom in this marriage? Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
4. Understand Weakness and Weapons. God, show me where I am weak and how my/our debt is being used as a weapon against peace in our marriage.  Isaiah 54:16-17 “Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows the fire of coals And brings out a weapon for its work; And I have created the destroyer to ruin. 17 “ No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.

EYM, getting to debt free in a relationship is, for many, a huge challenge. It will also be a huge blessing!

• Is it time to come side by side each other and tackle the mountain, with the direction and guidance of the Lord? 
• How do you envision that becoming debt free will bless your marriage? 
• Have you already gone through the process, share some encouragement with someone else.