A Slave Set Free!
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:13
Did you know that the United States Congress passed the amendment abolishing slavery on January 31, 1865? That same amendment was ratified on December 6, 1865. The 13th amendment abolished slavery in the United States and provides that, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction”.
That amendment set millions of people free from not only slavery but extreme cruelties. Unfortunately, millions died at the hands of their masters or perhaps died before they could experience freedom. What an atrocity and that these actions were conducted by human beings is unthinkable. Satan is a liar and deceiver, and he works through humans just as God does. It is our choice who we let lead us, but remember true freedom is only found through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Slavery is never about the color of our skin or our nationality. It is about money. This is a bold statement. The slave industry, whether in Biblical times or in our current day, is of the worst kind of business. It is the selling of humans. Today, no man or woman should be sold into slavery; no man or woman should face cruelty at the hands of a master or for that fact an employer. Yet, I hate to tell you – if you are reading this and looking for answers to get out of debt and find financial freedom, the problem is you have sold yourself into slavery.
This problem has a two-fold cause. First, we have a “have to have it right now mentality” which then is fed by marketing and advertising gurus. Did you know that the longing to have a product or service is a genuine instinct? The problem is we have that longing all mixed up with worldly goods when in fact it was created by God to long for Him. And so, the cycle begins – bought it and it didn’t satisfy me so let’s try buying something else. Coupled with this is the accessibility to instant credit which allows us to be able to buy now what we can’t pay for later. Thus, we have made our lives a slave to the lender for things that won’t even meet our needs, desires or longings. Remember this little tidbit, marketing companies pay millions to be able to get into your psyche. They research how your mind triggers you to buy their product. Don’t be a puppet in their hands!
Ask yourself this question; “Is my debt lower because my income is lower? Or is it higher because my income is higher?”. Most would honestly answer a resounding “NO”. Debt is not a factor of income level it is a factor of money mismanagement. And, it is not prejudiced, it will make a slave out of anyone who allows it to happen.
Are you still questioning about being a slave to debt? Answer the following questions in this formula for a slave in the making.
- Is your debt controlling how many hours you work?
- Is your debt affecting your family relationships?
- Is your debt affecting how much you would like to give?
- Is your debt affecting your health, sleep, eating habits, energy levels?
I think you get the picture. If you answer “yes” to any of these questions you are a slave to debt because you have given your control to a master – money!
“Couples Talk Time”
Question/ Project: Make a list of all the items that are keeping you in slavery. Now take the list and pray for God to give you solutions for each of the items on that list. Write those solutions on a different page. Take the list of items that have been your master and burn it. Your job is now to keep your eye on the solution.
Agreement: We or I (your signatures) ______________ & ______________ agree to keep all our senses and mind alert for signs that we are heading back into our old ways.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for setting us free, help us to walk it out!