In the year 2004, there were 164 million credit card holders in the United States'

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In the year 2004, there were 164 million credit
card holders in the United States. In the year
2009, that number is projected to hit 176 million
card holders.
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Among those 164 million card holders in 2004,
there was a total of 1.4 billion credit cards.
In the year 2009, the total number of credit
cards will increase by 49 million over 2004
totals.
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In 2004, the total volume of credit card sales
was 1.8 trillion dollars. The amount of credit
card debt outstanding by the end of 2004? 801
billion dollars.
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In 2009, the estimated volume of credit card
sales will jump to 2.7 trillion dollars. The
projected amount of outstanding credit card
debt? 962 billion dollars. Source The
Nilson Report as quoted in the Statistical
Abstract of the United States
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Swimming with Elephants
crossroads church fall 2007
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Overspending Let us speak, though we show all our
faults and weaknesses, -- for it is a sign of
strength to be weak, to know it, and out with it
-- not in a set way and ostentatiously, though,
but incidentally and without premeditation.
Herman Melville
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what is it? You're addicted to thrills? What an
empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never
satisfied. Proverbs 2117 Simply put,
overspending is spending more than you can
afford. (Dictionary.com)
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how do we do it? Big purchases homes, cars,
serious toys Christmas/Birthdays gifts,
need we say more? Daily life living
consistently beyond our means Other you
fill in the blank
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why do we do it? Pridekeeping up with the
Joneses, maintaining a fictitious image
Lossgrieving, stressing, making up for a
money-poor childhood or marriage Greedgotta
have it, and I gotta have it now
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AvoidanceI cant say no, and I cant tell
you I cant afford it Easesure, we take
Mastercard
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whats the point? At the end of the day, all
overspending stems from a misunderstanding of
who owns your money. Brace yourself. It isnt
you. God claims Earth and everything in it, God
claims World and all who live on it. Psalms 241
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Look around you Everything you see is God'sthe
heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and
everything on it. Deuteronomy 1014 Ask
yourself this if Jesus were to physically hand
you your paycheck and say, Spend this well,
would you?
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what else does the Bible say about money?
Be careful about borrowing. The rich rule over
the poor, and the borrower is servant to the
lender. Proverbs 227 (NIV)
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what else does the Bible say about money?
Be careful about borrowing. You can't worship two
gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up
hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt
for the other. You can't worship God and Money
both. Matthew 624
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If you borrow, you must repay. Wicked borrows
and never returns Righteous gives and gives.
Psalms 3721 When you tell God you'll do
something, do itnow. God takes no pleasure in
foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it. Far better
not to vow in the first place than to vow and not
pay up.Ecclesiastes 545
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Make a financial plan . . . first. 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? Luke 1428
Take your time making decisions. The plans of the
diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads
to poverty. Proverbs 215
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Whatever you do, honor God first. 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.
Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God!
Run from evil! Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God
with everything you own give him the first and
the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats
will brim over. Proverbs 3510
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whats the challenge? Pray about your
finances this week. Ask God to reveal areas
where you may be overspending. If youre
married, have an honest conversation about
money with your spouse. If youre not, have
an honest conversation with yourself.
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resources www.daveramsey.com www.crown.org
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Swimming with Elephants
crossroads church fall 2007