GIF A Spiritual Indicator

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

(Philippians 2:4)

A Spiritual Indicator
by Larry Burkett

God’s Word teaches that how we handle our money is the clearest reflection of our spiritual value system. Excessive debts, even bankruptcies, are not our problems; they are the external indicators of internal spiritual problems. Literally, they are a person’s attitudes being reflected in actions.

I received a call from a pastor who was considering filing for bankruptcy because of a very heavy debt burden. He was fearful of his creditors obtaining judgments or even garnishments against him. “It’s not fair that they can attach my salary,” he said. “I won’t be able to feed my family.” I asked if they had tricked him into borrowing. They had not.

I asked him to consider what Christ would do if He were in his position. After all, isn’t that what we’re instructed to do as Christ’s followers? We are to be imitators of Christ.  “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1).

This pastor stood up to his burden, asked for the forgiveness of his creditors, and cut up all his credit cards. He confessed his error before his church and found several kindred spirits in the congregation.

We are a generation of “quick-fix” attitudes, and the idea of absolutes has not been taught for a long time, even in Christian living.

Daily Scripture Reading:
Psalms 112, 124, 133-136