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Post by Guest on Apr 21, 2012 8:03:48 GMT -5
I recently graduated with my ASN nursing degree and have found a well paying traveling nurse job that seems fairly secure, I took out student loans (also if you have an input on this topic you could talk about it too, even though it is to late for me). I visited a local church and enjoyed the sermon (I have been out of church while I was in college). It will take me several years to get out of student loan debt either way, but I feel like I should be giving 10% of my paycheck to the church. Could you touch upon paying back debt vs giving to the Lord. I have found several christian financial classes that meet on Sunday or Wednesday nights but since I travel so much I can not make a commitment to attend.
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Post by Jonathan on Apr 21, 2012 8:18:10 GMT -5
Hey this is a great topic, congratulations on graduation and your new job! I had pretty much the same situation about being in debt and having to choose between repayment and tithing (or at least I thought I did). I attended several financial classes and after creating myself a budget, I figured out that not only could I do both but I actually was able to pay my debt off faster than I had previously been trying. I became active in my church, which several times when I was helping or doing something at church I was fed which was often my biggest expense, also I found lots of friends who would all join up together and make food. It really is the most amazing thing that you can experience, I am sure it will be a little more difficult with all your traveling, but just do what you can and the Lord will take care of the rest.
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Post by Mike Miller on Apr 22, 2012 6:19:03 GMT -5
I would agree with Jonathan in that you don't have to look at this as only meeting one obligation or the other. My wife and I started tithing after we took a huge cut in our income and made less than we ever had (or have since). You might have to make some major adjustments in your way of life (we did), but we are to pay off our debts, and we are not to steal from God (Malachi 3:8). If you'd like, I can recommend some godly men who can provide financial counseling and help you establish a budget.
By the way, when I mention making major adjustments to your way of life, I mean doing what is necessary to live within your means. You might need to drive a less than desirable car and live in a less than desirable house/apartment. You might have to get rid of cable and your data plan, and you might need to eat out less often. You might also need to get a second job (though I don't know your family obligations). When my wife and I were in the situation of having our income slashed to about 1/4 of what it was, I worked a full-time job and three part-time jobs while going to graduate school full-time. It was hard, but I did what I needed to do in order to meet my obligations. Not only that, but we were committed to my wife being a stay-at-home mom (though for a while she did work at a mothers day out 2 days a week and had our daughter with her). Meeting our obligations can mean sacrifice, but not only is it the right thing to do, the end result of being out of debt will mean greater financial freedom in the long run.
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