I am 21 and $20,000 in debt. Does God even care?

Question

I'm 21 and about to join the military in January of next year. I've got $20,000 in debt that has accrued on me because of a job I was fired from a few months ago, as well as A LOT of "bad luck."

To sum up...

1) I bought a used car with an $8,000 loan. The car was recently repossessed and they charged me a $7,000 (if you can believe it!) "repo fee" just to come and take my car away from me.

2) I have three charged off bank accounts and one charged off credit card totaling up to $5,000.

So, that leaves me with $20,000 in debt and I have pennies to my name.

Even though I'm joining the military, the debt will still follow me around until it is paid off.

I guess my question is...does God even care about me? I am sitting here floundering in debt and can't stop it.

I would consider myself a weak Christian, but a good and decent person. I've never hurt anyone or done anything to deserve any type of severe punishment (aside from original sin from birth).

Please help with advice..thanks.

Answer 1

Everyone is accountable for their actions. You created the debt, but you are not taking responsibility for the debt. I know that may not sound very comforting, but it's the facts. Why would you bring God into this? It really is not relevant. There aren't any debtors prisons, so how are you going to suffer, other than perhaps being denied credit until this debt is resolved. And why would you think you should be granted credit if you couldn't properly deal with the credit you were previously granted? Being in debt really isn't that big of a deal, except in your mind. It only takes on the value that you assign to it.

As far as God caring? Sure he cares about you, but what you are placing such a great amount of importance on, is probably not of great importance to him.

Answer 2

I was in a similar situation for years. But I still kept tithing. Finally after about 15 to 20 years I got out of debt. Hallelujah, thank-you Jesus!!!!! In the military food and lodging will be paid for. Try doing with out a car for a year or two. And when you do get one, get a cheapo. Let the insurance be the only real expense. Cars from the '70s burn a lot of gas but they are less than a third expensive to keep up than the newer models. You can do without a nice car for 2 or 3 years. GIs like to go to the bar a lot.
Keep you bar tab to a minimum. Read books, watch TV, spend time on line, work out. Don't date too much. That can get too expensive.
I Cr 13;8a
12-10-6

One more thing. No matter how young you are, no matter how little you make. Put 10% of what you make in to a retirement fund. When you get to be in your late 30's or late 40's you're going to want to take a lot of time off. I know what I'm talking about. Former military 10 years. Worked until I was 59.
And of course I believe that tithing is correct. Don't be a God robber.

Answer 3

um...I'm not really religious so to speak, but I do feel your pain. No offence, but if you spent beyond your means, that's not "God's" falult. Your spending habits have nothing to do with spirituality. Knowing that you need to get your finances under control is a great step. I think that a benefit to joining the military is that you will be working a lot and won't have much time to spend the money. Realistically, you should call all of your debts and make arrangements with them. Usually collectors will accept like 60% of your debt amount, instead of the whole amount. Since you will be in the military for a minimum of 4 years (i think that's right) you should be able to send large portions of your checks to paying off old debt.

Trust me, on most of your points, you are "preaching to the choir" I have been there and done that, and I am only 4 years older than you. I have been rebuilding for 3 years now, and it feels great to get a handle on your finances.

I apologize if this doesn't actually answer your question, but I felt drawn to it.

Answer 4

Firstly, god doesn't give a whit about your situation, because there is no such thing. Nor is there such a thing as sin, original or otherwise. (Which is not at all to say that there is no such thing as evil.) As for your specific issues:
- Tell the car people to get lost. They got their security back; it is true that they could sue you for the difference, but they won't: even with a judgment, they would not be able to collect because you have no assets. And no way will they be able to get a judgment for a $7,000 "repossession fee" -- the law does not contemplate unconsciouable provisions.
- The bank accounts and credit card should be paid off when you are able. Make small payments on all of them, every month.

Answer 5

Yep, of course he cares. But last time I checked he wasnt answering questions on Yahoo Answers. He may be... but I doubt it.
I am really sorry to hear of your troubles.
The world we live in is a harsh one no doubt about it.
But yknow what? God never promised us an easy ride. Look at the treatment his Son got!
I guarantee that in 10 years time, you will look back on this time, and know a lot of things you will have learnt from it.
You will, unfortunately have a whole new set of problems.
Hey if it makes you feel any better I am $150,000 in debt (mortgage and car loan)! What can we do about it? Its the way the world works.
I try not to think about finances tooooooo much. I work hard, pay my debts and enjoy my family.
All the best to you in the military.
I have prayed that God will show you that money, while no doubt important, is a transient thing. As long as you have enough to eat, your health and a roof over your head you are blessed. Truly.
You will pay this off. And you will get past this. And you will hear from God if you talk to him. Hey - its free!

Answer 6

God does not care if you are in debt to someone for money. You will never get into debt with God. That is why so many good Christians pay 10% tithing to their Church's.God will pay you back many times over and that does include more than spiritual.God will also let us give ourselves hard lessons like that. That's why we are here on earth, to learn and better our selves in every way, Just part of the big plan.

Answer 7

Of course God cares...but He also gave man 'free will.' You made the debt and now you expect to receive a miracle money order from heaven?? I'll ask you this...have you ever given money to the poor, to the church or to God for His ministers to spread the word of the bible? If not, I wouldn't be looking for any debt relief too quickly. Tithing is the greatest asset of the Word of God. To reap we must sow seed. It's like trying to grow an apple tree without apple seeds...or if you have the seed, tossing it onto rocks or into a dry desert. Make sense? Talk to God like he is your best friend or dad and tell Him you made a mistake, but you're also willing to rectify that error. Jesus Christ thought more of the woman who had only two pennies to give because it was all she had to her name. She was blessed with a 100 fold return. Try a little kindness...and God will bless you. Before going into the military, plan on giving just 10% to one church and by the time you are out of the service, you'll have much to look forward to. God bless you...and stay safe. We'll be rooting for you.

Answer 8

There's a thing that God has given to each and every one of us. That's called free will... You are the one to blame for your debts, because of bad business practices... God didn't make you buy your car or charge up those credit card bills, that was all your doing. Best thing i can say is suck it up and go on with your life. There are millions of people in the world alot worse off than you... Just be lucky that your young and healthy, you could be like millions of people in the world that are dieing from diseases or are paralyzed or much worse things.

Answer 9

I am 29 and have $60,000 of debt in educational loans. I am an artist, which means really don't even make enough to feed myself. I lean on others to get by, move around a lot. This can be embarrassing when many of my peers are now buying their second homes, married, kids, etc.

I panicked about my debt, too. But I take it day by day and things have a way of working out. I think God wants me to trust him with that. This may be your only option as well; trust him.

Answer 10

I am in debt also to the total of 40,000 b4 bnkrpcy. Yes God does care!, Just think of all the christians in 3rd world countries that don't even have food! does God care? of course He does.

Matthew 6:25-33
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
The New King James Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1982.