How can I buy a car without going into debt?

Note, this article is part of a topical study series.

Greetings dear friend:

Concerning purchasing a "newer vehicle," these are just some thoughts to consider, that have worked for us. Some are spiritual, based upon some scripture or scriptural principle and some are just either common sense or personal preference.

"Let your conversation be without covetousness;
and be content with such things as ye have:
for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Hebrews 13:5

"be content with such things as ye have..."

Contentment with what God has already provided is essential. Without it there will be a natural tendency to "covet" something newer, better, etc. Be content with the 'ole Honda," the Lord may have you keep it till 300,000 miles!

"In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:18
"in EVERYTHING give thanks for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Not only should we be content, but we should thank God for what He has so graciously provided for us. A heart filled with thanksgiving for present possessions will be less inclined to covet things newer, fancier, or more in fashion.

"And he said unto them,
Take heed, and beware of covetousness:
for a man's life consisteth not
in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

Luke 12:15

"Take heed and beware of covetousness..."

"Let your manner of life be without covetousness..." Be on constant guard against this sin of the heart. Being content and being thankful will help - but - never let your guard down. Take heed! Beware!

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth;
and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children,
how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

Matthew 7:7-11

"And he said unto them,
Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight,
and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
And he from within shall answer and say,
Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed;
I cannot rise and give thee.
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend,
yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For every one that asketh receiveth;
and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father,
will he give him a stone?
or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children:
how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

Luke 11:5-13
"Ask (AND KEEP ON ASKING)...and it SHALL BE GIVEN;"

If it appears to be a genuine need, ASK your Father in heaven who knows better than what we do, what we really need. He is our Father! He knows how, and delights to give good things to His children.

In light of the story God told to illustrate how we should pray (Luke 11: 5-8), I believe He is saying in vv 9-10 "...Ask (and keep on persistently asking...)". So, in response to this principle I would have a Daily Prayer List in my notebook. I would write this request down, remind God of it daily, until He answers or tells me no.

"The rich ruleth over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender."
Proverbs 22:7

"Then saith Jesus unto him,
Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written,
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,
and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:10

"No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one, and love the other;
or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

Matthew 6:24
  • "...the borrower is SERVANT to the lender."
  • " Him ONLY shalt thou SERVE..."
  • " No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve GOD and MONEY."

Desiring to be a servant to Him only and never be a servant of a lender and thereby become a servant of two masters, we are careful to never even entertain the thought of incurring debt. This being true, we must determine how much money we have to be used in the purchase.

This is what we do. We take an envelope, write on it, for example "New Car," and begin to lay aside money. Each month we are careful to first honor the Lord with our first fruits, next to pay our bills, then we ask God to give us the wherewithal to lay aside at least a little each month that will be used in the purchase (the same thing can be accomplished with a savings or checking account if the money can be designated for "New Car."). If you do this, as you shop around looking for vehicles, you will always know which ones are within the will of God for you to consider...the ones that are within your price range. If the Lord wills, as each month passes, the amount will gradually increase, and the cars within your reach will also increase in value. The next step is to wait upon God to find you a suitable car for the cash you have.

"Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Phillipians 4:6-7

Pray! Make your request made known to God - don't be anxious. If it appears that all suitable cars are beyond your reach unless you finance - make your request known to God for more money to use toward a car, or more options within your price range.

"Ah Lord GOD! behold,
thou hast made the heaven and the earth
by thy great power and stretched out arm,
and there is nothing too hard for thee:"

Jeremiah 32:17

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh:
is there any thing too hard for me?

Jeremiah 32:27

If it seems impossible - REMEMBER that God made the whole universe and there is nothing too hard for Him - even this, to find a car for one of His children within his means.

"I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope." (NAS)

"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope." (KJV) "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the Lord." (NAS)

"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." (KJV)

. Ps. 130:5, Lam 3:25-26

Wait upon God to do what he has said, believing that..."...THE LORD IS GOOD to those who wait for him..." & "It is good that a man should... quietly wait... for the salvation of the Lord."

Regarding what practical channels to pursue; We have found that it is much better to buy from an individual rather than a used car dealer. Women generally take better care of their cars and have them serviced regularly. We would ask friends to be on the lookout and also check the papers. . We would TRY to look for a ONE OWNER car.

I hope some of this helps. It should at best stimulate your thinking some.

A fellow servant of Jesus Christ. Romans 11:36

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