Deliberately I bent over my journal and wrote out a promise to God; as soon as I had paid off the last bit of what I owed on this last credit card I would make it a rule never to use it again. Instead I would trust Him to supply all my needs.
This was prompted by going over some recent sermon notes and looking up the references, one of which was Romans 13:8, "Let no debt remain outstanding... " Stricken in conscience I vowed that it would be cash only from now on, and called upon God to help me destroy them if any new cards came in the mail.
I meant every word.
But when my new credit card arrived with the next expiry date I forgot that earnest promise and tucked the card away in a safe place. In case an emergency came up.
I did not think I abused my credit-buying, but the cards had often helped me get home when having car troubles, and it allowed me to give gifts at Christmas, even though I spent most of the next year paying for them. However, now I was in a new situation with no regular guaranteed income. Carefully I curtailed my wants and learned to make do.
A number of months later, I was traveling with a team from our church coming home from a week of ministry to Cross Lake, Manitoba. We needed one more tank of gas in the van, and as our expense funds were low I volunteered my credit card for this emergency. The attendant pointed out that this was my old card. It had expired, but he accepted it. I promised to put my new one in my wallet as soon as I got home.
I forgot, and it was not until a few weeks later, after shopping and wanting gas for my little car that I discovered my cash used up and my credit card bluntly refused. I had to leave my new shoes as collateral while I drove to a branch of my bank to withdraw cash.
At home I went on a thorough hunt for that new card that I recalled receiving in the spring. I turned my personal files and my place absolutely inside out. No card!
Despite my frustration, for I normally know where everything is, I felt deep in my heart that the credit card was not lost or stolen, just misplaced. Finally, after several days of fruitless searching, I went to my bank and reported it missing. After a verifying call from the Head Office I was issued a brand new card and number by registered mail.
A couple of days later I suddenly came upon the one I had reported missing in the folds of an old bank statement. "Ah-ha, there it was!" But now it was illegal even for my own use. I folded up the plastic and dropping it into the garbage.
Just to make sure I checked my wallet for the newest card that came, oh, day before yesterday, right? What? Not there!
Off I went on a fresh search.
In an anxious panic I sat down to pray and ask the Lord to help me find it. "I can't report this one missing so soon too!"
Very quietly came this thought; "Don't you recall promising God not ever to use those cards again? Check your journal back in about February or March."
That's where I looked next. There it was in my own hand-writing.
"Hmm," I said to the Lord. "So You have hidden both of these cards on me right here in the midst of my things just to help me keep my promise, have You?"
Nine years later, I've found one of the cards folded in another old bank mail. It didn't matter.
I've got countless stories to tell of how God has supplied all my needs as they arose. I no longer want a credit card at all.
I do use debit cards now in place of checkbooks. I don't charge anything on them. I pay with them. I still see God provide when I really need something, but I'm growing bolder to ask for larger incomes so that rather than living from hand -to-mouth, I can start giving generously to others.
P.S. That experience was more than 20 years ago. I have since started using credit cards again, which helps for online purchases, but I've learned to be very cautious, and to always pay off my cards within the month.
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