Paid in Full

Spend less than you Earn: Seek Godly Wisdom in Financial Areas.
“Of what use is money in the hand of a fool since he has no desire to get Wisdom?” Proverbs 17:16
The Law of Dominion: Rule over our Desires, Appetites, Habits
God created us to reign and rule over our possessions and desires. Most American Christians (and Christian Americans) are ruled by their possessions and desires. According to Genesis 1:26-29 believers are instructed to subdue and exercise dominion over the things of the earth: our desires, appetites, spending patterns, debt, health habits, lifestyle-all things that present a temptation or lust beyond God’s plan and purpose.

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles (unbelievers) walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness." (Behavior without restraint)-- (Ephesians 4:17-19)

We should live a fasted life, disciplined by the Holy Spirit in every area. Instead of “How much can I spend and be satisfied?” consider “How little can I spend and be satisfied?” The apostle Paul taught us to be content in whatever state we find ourselves. It should not matter that the debtors are calling for our last dime if we are doing all in our power to satisfy our debts and live within our means. Within does not translate on the edge. In counseling over the years we have noticed to our surprise that most people have the income to support and eliminate their debts; they simply lack Godly wisdom and counsel as to what to pay first. (Next Chapter) Also, most people who come for counseling have never once tracked their spending patterns. A wise steward not only tracks his income, he tracks every category into which that income empties: “Every Dollar on Purpose”.
Very simply, consistent use of these strategies help turn your financial vessel into the right direction:
• Do not carry much cash; Liquid Money tends to “leak” out of your wallet without having to be accountable.
• Keep detailed expense records: locate every dollar. Be selective on WHAT gets your hard-earned dollar.
• Develop a Spending Plan: Spend less from your checking account than the amount of your paycheck!
• Work with annual and monthly figures: do monthly and yearly comparisons always intentionally spending less each year on certain categories than the year before.
• Set up regular and occasional accounts (one envelope for each bill)
• Evaluate progress regularly and adjust accordingly: continually tighten the belt.
• Track debt separately from expenses (Use Debt Triangle and Self-Consolidation)

Taking Dominion over debt will help expose other areas of over-indulgence in our lives. Soon we will recognize obsessive patterns in shopping, eating, smoking, drinking, even medicating. Obsessive-compulsive behaviors need not be limited to money matters. That spirit can take on any desire we open ourselves to as slaves.
Exercise: Substitute the blanks with whatever behavior you wish to change.
How little can I ______________and still be content? (spend-eat-smoke-drink-medicate, grumble)
Minimum Requirement Trap: Producer or Consumer?
Our society has produced generations of Minimum Requirement mentalities. We have grown up asking, “What’s the least I have to do to pass this course? What’s the least I have to know to qualify for this job? How many hours do I have to work and still be full-time? What’s the least I have to do to keep my health? How little time can I spend with my mate and not get divorced? How little attention or affection can I spend with my children and still be a parent? How sinful can I be and still go to Heaven?” If not checked, that attitude infiltrates every aspect of our lives.
Consequently, we have become a nation of consumers instead of producers. We take from others instead of producing for others, developing strong dependencies within our social structure. The tragedy of that mentality is that too soon, we begin treating ourselves with the same discourtesy. We take our income and spend more than what is really there, placing a tremendous burden on ourselves (and the Lord) to Sweat the Stretch! The suggestion to “Spend less from your checking account than the amount of your paycheck,” allows you to live on the very least amount available, and pay extra on one of your creditors. Also, this exercise teaches you to be selective with how you spend the remaining money. While still in debt, any excess moneys should go to eliminating finance charges.
Until Savings banks start paying you 18% plus, you should not try to put extra amounts in savings at this time. The creditors are taking a higher percentage of your payments in interest than you could ever make in a savings account. Keep an emergency cushion in savings, but PAY THE DEBTS!
Remember, the widow did not go around asking each creditor what their minimum payment would be.
CAREER TALENT IDENTIFICATION
Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it. - Hardy D. Jackson
It’s all about PASSION
“IF you woke up tomorrow morning INDEPENDENTLY WEALTHY, never had to work to earn money ever again, WHAT would you set out to accomplish? Change? Correct? Invent? Discover?”
Really consider this seriously. Unfortunately, most college seniors are still pondering this question. They have no idea what income they will need to pay the tens of thousand dollars in student loans. Sadly enough, many will have to compromise Passion for Paycheck.
But let’s get back to our Pre-Exam exercise. One of the best ways to pinpoint Passion is to consider, “What is it that I would do 24/7, without stopping to eat, sleep, and would even do it without pay? Having identified that Consider
• What Behaviors do I bring to the job –Diversity-multi-tasked?
• What Values motivate me to do a job –Relationship with others -Allegiances about life? Innate beliefs;
Intra-personal- Uncompromising; Strong, Mature Self image: whole/fragmented?
Interpersonal- Expectations of significant others
• What Specific talents--or attributes--needed for the job opportunities and areas for further development
• What Motivation: does your interest and desire keep you going/Drive? Self-Directed?
“If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone.” J. Maxwell
• Interests-preferences
• Abilities-Academic, Physical (7 Intelligences)
Actions toward CAREER Development?
• Work Habits/Style: hours/schedule/independently/conflict resolution skills?
“Share my Wealth? Share my Work Ethic!” Reactions/Responses to Feelings?
Cope-ability Life is 10% of what happens/90% reaction to ti. J. Maxwell
Isolation of Emotion
• EQ vs IQ-Do you have the Emotional Stability to become a PROFESSIONAL at that Passion-with additional training, education, maturity, experience? .
Re-set your GPS, Goal Powered Spending for pro-active “Success On Purpose.” Deciding to be part of the Solution instead of the problem will at least put you at the bottom of the top five percent! Go for the Best! Fire your passion and change your world. “The more you bring to the experience, the freer you are to create.” S. Noftsinger