How Did I Get Into This Mess? Series

Now, that said, I use a credit card to keep track of my expenses for tax purposes. But there’s an inherent danger in using credit cards. Studies have found that – on average – people end up paying about 23% more every month than they would if they did not have a card.

Why would people spend more with a credit card?

Because if we ONLY have cash in our wallets, something in our brains says “STOP” when we find that only have a few dollars in our billfold. We’re not as likely to make “impulse” purchases, because it takes time to get the cash to buy what appeals to us.

But credit cards allow us to make “impulse” decisions in our purchases. Credit cards make it easier to buy what we WANT when we Want.

ILLUS: One wit observed: “Visa will take you anyplace you want to be… except out of debt.”

Next week we’re going to examine ways to get rid of financial debt.

But this week, we’re going to focus on dealing with our WANTS - because it’s our WANTS that lead many of us to spend more than we make.

ILLUS: I’m told that out West there is a General Store on the edge of nowhere. As travelers stop in they are greeted by a sign that says:

"If you can't find it in this store, just ask us about the item, and we'll tell you how to get along without it."

ILLUS: You’ve heard of the young men in the ghetto who live in dumpy apartments. But what do they often drive? Yep, the biggest baddest vehicle they can afford. Why would they spend so much money on a car? Because they don’t care what you think about where they live. The car is a status symbol.

ILLUS: But you don’t have to live in a ghetto to make an emotional decision about what you drive. I heard one young man talk about buying a car because it “looked cool”. Another young man wanted a certain model because its engine was REALLY powerful. Still another young person was all excited because his new vehicle had a great sound system.

Now, what is the purpose of a car?

It’s to get you from point A to point B.

All you need is a good engine and four good tires.

But most people don’t buy their cars based on functionality. They buy their vehicles because there’s something about that automobile that appeals to them emotionally.

People buy things based on emotion.

Let’s switch to something like a washer and dryer or kitchen appliance.

If a family goes to the store and sees one product is extremely attractive, it has all kinds of buttons and switches and all the most modern bells and whistles BUT is more expensive… then they see a less expensive model is not as impressive… but is just as functional. Which one are they more likely to buy?

The more expensive model.

It’s the “gee whiz” factor that attracts them.

The product that appeals to them emotionally is the one they want.

And they’ll pay extra money for the privilege.

Man has always been plagued by this desire to have what we want when we want it. It’s driven by a lack of contentment with what we have. But God teaches us in Scripture that contentment with what we have should be our goal as Christians