Just as debt can bring financial bondage, so also can wealth and abundance. A wealthy individual who cannot sleep because of anxiety over his money or his investments is in great bondage. No wonder that the preacher desired neither poverty nor riches but just food convenient for him (Proverbs 30:7-9). The poor can get into bondage through borrowing but the rich can be enslaved by their wealth. Their heart is overcharged with surfeiting and their wealth becomes an idol to them.
The case of the rich young ruler that came to Jesus comes to mind (Mark 10:17-28).
Financial bondage is a terrible thing. It ensnares the person concerned and robs them of the joy and benefits of simple, free, peaceful living.
Financial freedom is God’s will for us where we neither have the overbearing anxiety over diminishing assets or the stressful worry of how to pay the next bill. God meets our every need, we are free to serve Him and He reigns without a rival on the throne of our hearts.

1) INDISPENSABILITY OF GREAT COMMITMENT: ????????????
John 15:5; 11:44; 8:32,36; Psalm 119:105; 19:7-11; Jeremiah 10:23; 13:23; 29:11-14; Acts 20:20,27; Ephesians 1:11; Exodus 9:29; 19:5; 1 Corinthians 10:26; Job 41:11; Haggai 2:8.

The first step towards financial freedom is conversion, turning over our life completely into God’s hand — our sins, anxieties, fears, plans, future, totality. We cease to be the master of our lives. We recognize that without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5; Psalm 128:1; Jeremiah 13:23).
We acknowledge divine ownership and cease from self-management (Psalm 74:1; 79:13; 95:7; 100:3; 24:1; 50:10-12; 115:16; Proverbs 20:24; 16:9; 19:21; Jeremiah 10:23; Deuteronomy 10:14; Leviticus 25:23; 1
Chronicles 29:14; Job 41:11; Haggai 2:8; Exodus 19:5; 9:29; 1 Corinthians 10:26). Without this great commitment, we cannot commence the journey to financial freedom. We need to acknowledge that God has better plans and that we are ready to follow His plans as revealed in the Bible and as taught by godly men with divine insight (Jeremiah 29:11-14; 2 Chronicles 20:20; Isaiah 7:9; Acts 20:20,27; Ephesians 1:11).
The truth of God’s word sets free fully and permanently. There is great reward in following divine prescriptions (John 8:32,36; Psalm 119:105; 19:7-11).
If we are financially bound hand and foot like Lazarus was physically bound hand and foot, we cannot free ourselves, God will have to lose us and let us go. (John 8:32,36; 11:44).

2) IMPORTANCE OF GOOD COUNSELLING: ????????????
Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 13:10; 15:22; 20:18; 24:6; Haggai 1:2-5; Hosea 4:6; Isaiah 55:2; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Matthew 17:24-27; 25:14-30; Romans 13:6-8.

In any undertaking in life, the importance of good counselling cannot be discounted. Very often the difference between success and failure has been good counselling or lack of it.
The goal of financial freedom can be well established through good counselling. The situation is evaluated, the goals are reviewed, a workable plan can be set in place, priorities are established,
alternatives can be suggested and the funds are made to stretch. Many christians can live better lives on their present income. What most people need is seldom a salary increase but rather wisdom in effective and beneficial dispensing of the money already in hand. It is good to take financial stock — a honest evaluation of our financial position, listing our present income, expenditure, assets, liabilities and then embark on a good financial surgery and revamping.

INSIGHT OF GODLY COUNSELORS: ????????????
2 Kings 4:1-7; 6:1-7; Genesis 41:38-44; Daniel 2:47-49; 1:20; Matthew 20:1-17; 25:14-30; 17:24-27; Luke 7:36-50; 12:42-48; 15:8-24; 16:1-31; 17:7-10; 19:12-27; 20:22-26; Matthew 10:24,25; 1 Peter 2:21.

In seeking counselling on financial matters, either for freedom from financial bondage or planning towards financial independence, it is very important that we seek the insight of godly counselors. It is a pity that many christians today are very ignorant of basic financial principles and cannot offer grassroot advice to their fellow christians in this area. This has created a great loophole for the devil to exploit and many believers are therefore in financial bondage through the counsel of the world’s financial advisers.
In resolving her financial problems, the prophet’s widow’s first point of call was not to the creditor for a re-negotiation of the terms of payment or a re-scheduling of the debt, it was to Elisha the prophet of God to seek advice, counselling or perhaps a miracle-bringing intercession (2 Kings 4:1-7).
The young that lost the axe head cried to the prophet for help. His first thought was not how to borrow to pay for the lost axe-head or agree terms of payment with the lender (2 Kings 6:1-7). For many christians, when financial problems arise, their first point of call is the bank manager or other financial advisers and consequently they get into more debt.