Years ago, I was praying during a church service at The Wisdom Center in Fort Worth, Texas when the Spirit of the Lord stirred four words in my spirit.  He said:

“Debt Determines Your Environment.”

I knew that was a profound statement. . .with life-changing implications and it was. It later became a book I wrote.

According to dictionary.com the word environment is defined as:

“the aggregate [or the total] of surrounding things, conditions, or influences; surroundings; the social and cultural forces that shape the life of a person or a population.”

Does debt influence you or your surroundings?  Absolutely.

Debt influences your surroundings if you’re living in a house. . .where you’re always one step ahead of the foreclosure notices?

Debt influences your surroundings if you’re living in a home. . .where you can’t afford to get the air conditioner fixed in the heat of summer or you don’t have money for heating oil in the cold of winter?

Debt influences your surroundings if you’re living in the projects. . .where your kids are in danger of drug users and gunfire?

Debt influences your surroundings if you’re living in an apartment building or duplex. . .where you hear every argument and conversation your neighbors have because the walls are so thin?

Debt influences your surroundings if you’re living in a place. . .where the cockroaches are almost as big as hamsters?

Debt influences your surroundings if your residence is determined by what you can afford as opposed to where you really want to live.

Environment is also defined as “the social and cultural forces that shape the life of a person or a population.”

Advertising is a powerful social and cultural force.

A number of studies point out that the average American is exposed to over 3,000 advertising messages a day. . .this includes radio, TV, internet, billboards or any other medium that promotes a product, cause or lifestyle.

Assuming that you sleep eight hours a day that means that during the other sixteen hours a day. . .you are exposed to over 3 ½ advertising messages every minute of the day.  During the year you will be exposed to 1,095,000 advertising messages.

These advertising messages are seducing unsuspecting consumers into buying things that can’t really afford by appealing to the needs of the flesh.

A significant amount of debt is accumulated by people who are seduced and then shackled by consumer debt because of peer or social pressure.

If you are moved to buy a new car or truck because your neighbors have one. . .then you are a casualty of social and advertising seduction.

However, if you can’t make the payments on that new vehicle then debt will determine your environment by the car you drive or the one that is about to be repossessed.

If the clothes in your closet are determined by what others, including celebrities are wearing. . .instead of what you can afford. . .then you have been seduced by society.

If you are itching to buy a 64 inch flat panel LCD High Deft television on the payment plan because your best friend has one. . .or you want everyone to be impressed on Super Bowl Sunday. . .then you have been lured into debt by peer pressure.

If you’re willing to run up your credit card balance so your children can wear name brand clothes from the big name brand store in your town because you never did then you have been influenced by your environment so you can seemingly change there’s.

If you put your children in a Christian school but you can’t afford the tuition and fees. . .you may be giving them a greater opportunity but are you digging a bigger financial hole than you’ll ever climb be able to climb out of.

If you are buying anything with money you don’t have to impress anyone in your social circle then you’re a victim of the devil’s financial and social charade.

If you think what you drive. . .where you live. . .what you wear. . .what you have or the stuff you buy. . .but can’t pay for validates who you are. . .then you have allowed debt to determine your environment instead of the Word of God.

I think it’s fair to say that debt is a social and cultural force that has and is continuing to shape the lives of generations.

When my parents were first married they lived in a house that was owned by the farmer for whom they worked as sharecroppers.

The first house they ever bought  was a two-bedroom single house of less than 1,000 square feet.

My parents next home was a brick house with two-bedrooms. . .either one of which was bigger than both of the bedrooms in the previous house. . .combined.

This home was roughly 1,800 square feet.

The next house my parents purchased. . .which is my mother’s current residence. . .is a three bedroom, three bathroom house, with two living rooms, a dining room and attic room.  My parents built this house in 1976 and it has roughly 2,900 square feet.

The housing journey of my parents is similar to that of most Americans.  The average American house size has more than doubled since the 1950’s and now stands at nearly 2,500 feet.

Just after World War II, people began to buy into the notion that owning your own home was the American dream and the best investment you could ever make.  I can tell you that’s not necessarily the case.

Back in the day the people who had suffered through the great depression looked at things a little differently.  There was almost a rule of thumb that was accepted as prudent. First, a roof over your head. Second, food on the table and third, some type of transportation to take you to your job. Then you purchased other things as you could afford them.

But as time went on, people began to decide what was most important to them based on a buy now, pay later plan. Need is relative. Can I afford the monthly payments became the rule of thumb.

The purpose of this teaching is not a history lesson on the evolution of  the “your home is your castle” mindset but rather a look at how debt determines your environment and how you want to determine who and what rules you.

This progression into larger and more expensive house with fancier and more expensive toys in those house and those driveways is true whether you now live in a McMansion or just a house in the suburbs.

The parental desire for our children to have opportunities they didn’t has led many parents to better school districts outside the city where the houses are larger and more expensive, the commute more expensive and time consuming and yes, the appearances you need to keep up by living in such an environment.

Here’s the bottom line. . .whatever your reason or motivation. . .debt does determine your environment.

Now is the time to do something about it.

1.         Understand why you are where you are.

It’s time for a little introspection.

Why did you get yourself into debt?  Was it to buy a house. . .or just the right house in the right neighborhood with the right schools?

Are you susceptible to peer pressure when it comes to buying and owning stuff?

Do you find yourself buying things to relieve the pressure from work, your hurting marriage or the need to feel that you’re making progress in your life?

If you’re married, has your journey into the bondage of debt been a solo mission or are both of you responsible?

Did you buy things now believing you will have the income in the future to pay for them?

Is your financial plan based on having an available balance on your credit cards?

Did you really count the cost. . .of the decisions you made.

Luke 14:28 in the Message Bible says:

“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.'”

You need an honest assessment of why you are, where you are.

2.         Don’t fix the blame. . .solve the problem.

If you’re in debt or living in financial chaos. . .don’t blame anybody else.  Man or woman up. . .if you did it. . .take the responsibility for your actions.

Excuses NEVER solve a problem.

Blaming someone else NEVER solves the problem.

Excuses and blame only use valuable energy that you need to find a solution.

You’re already in a financial hole. . .so stop digging and fussing. . .instead focus on solving the problem.

John 9:3 in the Message Bible says:

“Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world's Light."

One more thing. . .sadly, God sometimes gets the blame. . .when we’re the ones that messed up.

Proverbs 19:3 in the Message Bible says:

“People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God always get blamed?”

The problem with blame is that it’s misdirected focus.  If you’re expending mental energy and thought power blaming someone else. . .but you’re not using what is obviously your limited resources to focus on solving the problem.

So, STOP IT!!

3.         Get specific about your current financial situation.

This next point will determine whether or not you’re really ready to change your environment.

Taking the time and making the effort to determine the actual state of your financial affairs is a step that’s filled with procrastination.

The reason many people procrastinate on this step is because they know they’re not going to like what they see.

First, if your bills are not already separated in file folders by year. . .do so immediately.

Get a yellow highlighter and mark the existing balance, interest rate, payoff date and the toll-free number of the creditor.  You will need this information in our next step.

Proverbs 27:23 says:

“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.”

It’s a sin to make a decision when facts are available.  That’s the Herring Paraphrase of Proverbs 18:13 in The Living Bible which says:

“What a shame—Yes, how stupid to make a decision before knowing the facts.”

Second, you’ve got to know where you money is going.  I’m not talking about the big money. . .I’m talking about the small money that you spend every day without even thinking about it.

Get a spiral ring notebook. . .the kind a man can put in his shirt pocket or a woman in her purse.  If you’re married, both spouses should have one.

For the next thirty days, write down every single penny you spend.  Assign each transaction a category.  When you add up the total of each category at the end of the thirty-day period. . .I’m confident. . .in fact, I guarantee you that you’ll find money that you can re-direct into other areas.

4.         Create a plan to change your financial environment.

I’m going to give you an absolute fact. . .if you don’t have a plan to get out of debt then you will never change your financial environment.

There are a number of plans to help people get out of debt.  However, I personally think the Debt Free Army “Master Plan” is the best one available at this time.  It’s available on our website: haroldherring.com

The “Master Plan” will allow you to create your own personalized out of debt plan.  When you’ve completed your “Master Plan” you will know that if you do this and this and this. . .by this date you will be totally and completely debt free.

However, you must be committed to the plan and give it your best effort.

In Ecclesiastes 9:10, the first part of that scripture says:

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. . .”

The Bible is telling you that whatever you plan to do, get in there and do it.  Be specific about it, and do it.

Proverbs 1:25 in the New International Version says:

“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”

1 Timothy 4:15 in the New International Version says:

“Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.” 

You need to continually monitor your progress and maximize your efforts.

5.         Get God involved in your plan.

If you’re in significant debt. . .you may feel a bit overwhelmed. . .even with your personalize Master Plan.

When you don’t know what to do next. . .ask God. . .He always does.

Isaiah 48:17 in the Message Bible says:

“I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well.  I show you what to do, where to go.”

It’s not just enough to ask for His help. . .you need to listen to His voice.

Proverbs 3:5-6 in the Message Bible says:

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.” 

Once you ask for His help. . .listen to His voice. . .then you need to do what He says.

Proverbs 16:3 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.”  

A final thought.

It’s time for every born-again child of God to stop debt from determining their environment.

It’s time for you get started on your journey to the debt-free lifestyle which will put you in a totally different environment.

Psalm 66:12 in the Amplified Bible says:

“You caused men to ride over our heads [when we were prostrate]; we went through fire and through water, but You brought us out into a broad, moist place [to abundance and refreshment and the open air].

The King James Version of Psalm 66:12 says that God will bring you into a “wealthy place.”

Now that’s what I call a different kind of environment.

Finally, you need to get started. . .right now.

Proverbs 6:4 in the New Living Translation says:

“Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do.”

Don’t think you can’t!  Be determined to do it. You will be so glad you did.

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