God wants His children to be free from financial bondage. But the sad truth is that many Christians are suffering from financial cares and concern. It is like being imprisoned and you lose the financial freedom to make your own decision, to manage your time, and to make future plans.

The key to financial freedom, however is responsible money management regardless of your situation whether you are rich or poor. Here are 11 symptoms of financial bondage for you to reflect as you begin the journey to financial freedom.

1. Excessive debt
It is okay to borrow extra money when you are facing an emergency situation. However, if it becomes a vicious cycle, borrowing can create anxieties in the long run.

2. Overdue bills
Failing to meet your financial obligations such as credit card bills or utility bills is another symptom of financial bondage. You have trouble sleeping at night because your bills pry on your mind, for example.

3. Investment worries
You consistently think and worry about your investments, whether you put them into the right investment vehicle or not. This too is a form of a bondage.

4. Get-rich-quick attitude
You are constantly thinking about getting involved in some get-rich-quick schemes. It maybe lottery or other forms of gambling which entices you and blinds you with promising rewards or potential high returns.

5. Chronic unemployment
Applying for jobs can be frustrating and discouraging if you’re unemployed for many months or even years. If you cannot find a decent job, the result is financial bondage.

6. Greediness
Greediness is the opposite of generosity. It is characterized by intense selfish desire for wealth or excessive acquisition of possessions.

7. Never happy with your income
You’re always unhappy and you compare your income with others.

8. You want what others have
You are angry, envious or jealous of others who have enough money to pay their bills and/or who are debt-free. You wish to have the stuff your neighbors have.

9. Over-commitment to work
Your work is just another aspect of your life. A good indication of a balance life is that you have time for family, friends, community service or volunteer work, and a time to nurture your faith in God.

10. Lack of commitment to God’s work
Tithes and offerings are expressions of your faithfulness to God. However, due to misusing of wealth, your prayer life and spiritual experience with God suffers. Therefore, God’s work is no longer a priority.

11. Financial resentment
Bitter indignation and thinking that God is not fair to you is another symptom of financial bondage. Consequently, you blame God or other people for your financial condition.

Conclusion
God is the owner of everything and he entrusted you to manage your resources wisely as a faithful steward. This is the central issue. Do not expect to get out of financial distress and produce a positive outcome if your mindset and attitude towards material blessings hasn’t changed.

Figuring out the best choices to escape from financial bondage may seem overwhelming yet you need to take an action and pray earnestly. The way out is to get closer to God, learn what He says about Biblical stewardship, then seek help from a professional Christian financial advisor.

If you begin to managing your material possessions reasonably, they can be a source of tremendous blessings not just to you but to others. Remember, God wants you to prosper.
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” —3 John 2 (KJV)

Source: richlyblessedtoday.com