I'm finally saying goodbye to my best friend for almost 17 years Citibank Credit Card... No i'm not in debt (i actually pay the entire balance 99% of the time) but i realized this card has allowed me in more that one occasion to spend more than I'm supposed to, so a month ago I told myself (and my wife) that I'm going to cut the card and start lowering my expenses -- If I don't have the cash at that moment, then i have to find other means of getting the money or else I don't buy. One of my addiction is on-line shopping and this would take a lot of disciple... The problem with credit cards is that sometimes we treat it like an ATM... we think we have money because of it when in reality its a debt.

Are you in debt or having financial difficulty? Here are some tips that I learned though the bible:

1. Give to God first: Proverbs 3:9 "Honor the Lord with your wealth and your barns will be filled overflowing"

2. Be content - "Many people who want to get rich fall into temptation and many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction" 1 Tim 6:9

3. Budget your income - Prov 27:23 "be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds".

4. Stop borrowing (unless emergency) - Romans 13:8 "Owe no man anything but to love one another..."

5. Create an emergency Fund - sometimes a small amount of money in your fund can save you from greater expenses.

6. Decrease expenses - Some basic principles of personal finance: If you are spending more than you earn you should either increase income or decrease expenses.

7. Judge real value and cost - The world will sell you something at 50% off but wisdom will tell you that you save 100% if you do not purchase.

8. Set your financial priorities - are they aligned with God's priorities for you? Make a list! now pray about them.

9. Make the tough decisions on purpose - recognize the problem before it gets out of hand, don't wait for debts to pile a mountain high.

10. In good times plan for lean times - "Ants are not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer" Proverbs 30:25

11. Simplify your life - Simple is less complicated and more peaceful. You'll appreciate having and doing less.

12. Learn New skills - "Whatever you do, do it for the Lord and not for men."Col 3:23 You cannot do your best and not develop skill and knowledge.

These 12 rules are general rules, best results come when you faithfully follow them. I guess one of the most important rule is remember that we are not to Love money but instead just view it as a tool... remember that God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others - so remember always to give. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil and some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" 1 Tim 6:10

Lastly, Know where the real treasure is... they're not found on earth because when we die, we're gonna leave them anyway. Learn to store treasures in heaven. Read Matt 6:19