Debt Free Living

by Larry Burkett

With credit so easily obtained today--and unknowingly abused--countless couples find themselves facing debt they can't handle. Debt-Free Living discusses biblical principles regarding money and demonstrates how to become and remain debt-free.

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Christian, Personal Finance, Money, Christian Living, Christian Non Fiction

249 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1900

About the author

Larry Burkett was an American radio personality whose work focused on financial counseling from a Christian point of view.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

meh. I give up. Haven't touched it in months. Tell your debtors they're good people and that you are also good people. They'll say "forget about it" and you'll say "I am morally bound to pay you!" and God will give you money and also make the debt go away before you pay it, but you will pay it anyway, because you are a good pious person, now that you've seen the error of your greedy ways. You should have listened to God in the first place.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

The message of this book is extremely simple. Live below your means, be honest and communicate with your significant other, and get help when needed. The moralizing and bible verses make this book essentially unreadable.

[Shannon Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best money management books I've ever read. It's a bit dated, but the principles are solid.

[Lacey Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was very helpful in looking at scripture about borrowing and those things. I enjoyed it... considering it was a financial book. It wasn't so much a "how to" guide as it was a "hey, it happens and it's possible to get out" type of thing. Easy read.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So great and so helpful!

[Josef · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading hundreds of personal finance books over the last 8 years I can say with confidence this book is complete horse crap. Not impressed at all with the stories that fill the book or the principles Burkett lives by in his finances. With very few logic or reason-based arguments, Burkett mostly resorts to biblical references. In his defense, he is primarily writing this book to other believers. Regardless, he should be making math, logic and finance based arguments, whether he is presenting to Christian readers or not. The last defense for Burkett is that this book is simply old. The copy I read came out in the year I was born, so it is definitely in need of some upgrading(don’t ask me why I’m reading personal finance book written in the late 90’s). The bottom line, regardless of the intended audience or how old the book js, “Debt Free Living” fails to deliver on almost every level.

[Kenny Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just reread this book that dramatically impacted my life after I read it 32 years ago. It was the first thing that really showed me what God’s word says about managing money and possessions. Prior, the main thing I heard about God and money was just “tithes and offerings”. But the DFL book by Larry Burkett showed me God offers so much wisdom and direction about being a good steward of all the money he provides, paying your debts, avoiding too much debt, being diligent, being content, being generous and more. This book was a major, major blessing that helped correct me on my pilgrimage as a Christian, husband and father. I will always be grateful for Larry Burkett’s books and godly impact on me.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to Crown Financial Ministry radio program sometimes on my drive home from high school.

Value Larry Burkett's sober and disciplined approached to finances from a Biblical perspective. A bit morose with the train wreck stories. Wish there was more practical applications for wise choices. This short book serves as more of a cautionary tale for choices gone awry and sometimes the bad to worse goes to detrimental.

[Iliana Petrovska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Описани са няколко случая на хора и семейства, които харчат неразумно е вземат лоши решения. Твърде много се налага темата за религията и връзката с цитати от Библията, касаещи финансите и дълговете... Описва се една система, която е на практика неприложима у нас. За пореден път се уверявам, че не бих могла ( а и не искам) да живея в американското общество, където кредитите са издигнати в култ, а не се обръща внимание на финансовата грамотност на хората (умишлено, разбира се).

[Jaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story format showing how families got into debt and how they eventually got out. The principles included are good, and the legal advice is helpful. However, I enjoy Dave Ramsey's books better because I like the clear step by step plan he lays out.

[Manuel Rodriguez Acosta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to read at times. Finally got through it. Even though the book had some interesting anecdotes, found it hard to relate. Recommended if you're interested in reading about Debt from a Christian and Biblical perspective.

[Tonya Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before Dave Ramsey, there was Larry Burkett! My husband and I started reading his books in the Lucius D. Clay Kasern military facility in Garlstedt, Germany in the early nineties. It truly set us on the right path early in marriage. All of his books through Crown were excellent!

[Amy Bergsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4.

[Alexandre Lapointe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nope

[E.N. Chaffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great financial book for people who are willing to hear God's side of the story.

[Robert Segura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reader beware.... God is NOT a CFP.

[Jun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breezy read. Learned a thing or two along the way!

[Michael Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great review with many examples of bad debt examples along the way.

[Rhonda Mcanulty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the books were stories, then the tone became somewhat depressing and it felt almost hopeless. The book ended with helpful tips.

[Nancy Bandusky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book explains the importance of getting out of debt and remaining debt-free - a worthy goal for us all.

With that said, my main purpose in reading it was to see if I could incorporate it into a money management course I was designing for my high schooler. I found it to be full of information on what not to do - which is perfect for the young generation just starting out. I felt the stories were realistic as to how the individuals got into trouble in the first place and the slow path back out.

The underlying theme is to live within one's means (which requires a budget) and to pay what we owe.

The focus of this book is on debt and thus any reader needing help (or my high school student) will need additional input regarding preparation of budgets, investment risk, insurance, and taxes.

[Danika Rose Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, it's amazing! Three true stories of couples who made their way into debt and how, with the help of God and financial counseling, made their way out. I am learning a lot and it's a great companion to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University!

**edit**
Book finished, and I am completely satisfied. The stories were all very inspiring - and some more than a little heart-wrenching as I either A) related with what the couples were going through or B) realized how much better off I am in my own financial struggles (which is a great motivator, knowing if they could do it, so can I and with NO EXCUSES!)

I definitely recommend this book to anyone on the tough but rewarding road to financial peace and (book plug here:) debt-free living!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does offer a good Biblical stance on debt. It uses a narrative style to bring up points. It also gives a great resource of verses in the Bible that refer to personal finance. I agree with 98% of the advice in the book and I look forward to recommending it to people I counsel. It is designed for those people who are already in debt and need to know how to get out of it. The narrative style allows for the reader to identify with different stories and see how they can apply principles to their own financial lives.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this at the used book store and picked it up because I've heard Dave Ramsey and other financial gurus mention Larry Burkett's name. The first part of the book basically follows three couples and describes through their stories how easily one can wander into debt. It will be a great book to read again when I feel like spending without a thought, to keep me on a positive financial path.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has helped me to prioritize spending and to make wise purchases, and to live on less, to get to the end goal of being debt free. I did not agree with the suggestion of using tithing money to put towards debt and then pay God back later. Otherwise it was a good read.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

He's not Dave Ramsey, but has good insight

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best....

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, clear concise book - pay off your debt and don't rack up more. I recommend the Family Financial Workbook by the same author to go with this book and put it into action.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes a lot of sense. Real stories. Familiar stories. Success stories.

[Cory Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty simplistic. Dave Ramsey's Biblical Money Makeover is much better.

[Adrienna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trying to get out of debt....from some of my bad habits. It was okay.