DateLine (11/16/05 – Ponce, Puerto Rico)
Ok the definition which appears above for de-upsize is a total fabrication. There is no such word in the dictionary, but there should be. I propose that this word be added to the vocabulary of every believer of Jesus Christ. If you’re young this concept should be burned into your psyche, an inviolate maxim for modern living. If you’re old statistics demonstrate that it’s probably too late to reach you with this truth.
An article posted on the MSN Money website demonstrates the magnitude of the problem that this concept is intended to address; “Yes, consumer debt -- encompassing credit cards, mortgages, student loans and more -- is growing like a well-fed St. Bernard puppy. No, there's no sign that the growth will slow. Yes, some economists worry about the ill effects, but no, not many of them are sounding urgent alarms. It's hard not to be worried when confronted with numbers such as these:
- About 43% of American families spend more than they earn each year.
- Average households carry some $8,000 in credit card debt.
- Personal bankruptcies have doubled in the past decade.
American consumers owed a grand total of $1.9773 trillion in October 2003, according to the latest statistics on consumer credit from the Federal Reserve. That’s about $18,654 per household, a figure that doesn’t include mortgage debt. The number is up more than 41% from the $1.3999 trillion consumers owed in 1998.”
So who cares? Let me paint a picture. Ok I’m going to use my imagination again, but I don’t think I’m too far off. Imagine yourself for a moment in the strategy room in hell. Satan and his economic council is gathered around discussing a hot topic; financial bondage (get it – hot topic.) He speaks, “We’re looking for new strategies to destroy individuals and bring families to their knees. What can you bean counters offer me?” One particularly devilish imp in the corner immediately offered, “How about cheap easy credit?” “Perfect,” replied Satan, “How soon can we implement it?” “Well I know this director at First National Bank, we hang out at the same strip club. I believe that I can convince him to get the ball rolling and once First National offers it, all of their competitors will have to follow suit.” “Great,” Satan said, “My hunch is you should suggest he start with cheap home mortgages. People will use the excuse for low interest home loans to overindulge on the dream home. Once they realize what they’ve done, it’ll take years for them to recover.” And on and on the sinister session went.
Families all over America are under tremendous pressure attempting to deal with the aftermath of an orgy of overindulgence; financial bondage. An “army” pre-occupied with their personal financial crises is not focused on the battle. It is no accident that God has raised up a herd of modern day prophets to address this issue; Larry Burkett, Ron Blue, Dave Ramsey, Austin Pryor, and others. It is no accident that many Christian media outlets feature some of the finest Christian teachers sounding the alarm on this subject. Satan has pre-emptied the American Dream. The original American Dream was to worship God with freedom. The contemporary American Dream is a 4000 sq. ft. lakeside house in a gated community attached to a four car garage filled with his, hers, and theirs financed by a six figure salary.
So it’s to this cacophony of voices sounding the warning that I add my concept; de-upsizing. What does it mean? Don’t ever upsize to begin with!!! Don’t let yourself get caught in the consumer trap, just a “hamster” on the treadmill of life.
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