Buying rights to your life

When did shopping become a holiday? Don't get me wrong, I am extremely grateful for the sales tax incentives that we are able to take advantage of this weekend. I just wonder when shopping was declared a holiday. (I do realize that my gender is causing me to be biased to some degree about shopping). As families like my own venture off into the world of retail fantasia, taking advantage of the wonderful savings, I cannot help but wonder how much more debt is going to be added to the monthly bills.

Somehow, as a culture our spending philosophy has changed from spending less than what we actually earn to buying now and rolling over to another credit card later -- resulting in never actually paying anything off; only playing the game of finding a better credit card rate. The average American family holds an oppressive umbrella over their heads of about $10,000 in credit card debt.

Proverbs 22:7 reads, "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave." This proverb reminds us of a simple truth that is easy to forget: When we owe people they have ownership over us. That mounting of debt places each of us in the position of being owned by those we are indebted to. What this implies is that the lender, who promised great happiness and fulfillment when you sign on the dotted line, owns your life. Ownership is too great a price in exchange for no interest and no payments for six months. The little touch screen looks a bit different when you realize you are literally signing your life over to it.

Living outside of our means is like trying to ride a tornado. When the ride begins, it is exciting but soon you realize that if you don't get out of this thing it's going to crush you. Usually by the time you arrive at that realization it requires drastic action to get out. Let me encourage you that if you are in debt (according to the statistics, we all are) you can get out. You can get your life back.

Spend. Enjoy the wealth that God has given you. Keep in mind that your life is more than what you eat, drink and wear. Be aware that just because the sign says "on sale" does not mean your pocketbook has to say "sold."

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father and serves as the associate pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jackson.