Today we have been on a Money Management Training Course run by CAP - Christians Against Poverty.

Did you know:

• At the end of 2008, personal debt in the UK totalled £1,456 billion
• In January 2009 average household debt in the UK was £59,670.
• Every 48 minutes someone is declared insolvent or bankrupt
• Debt can cause relationship breakdowns, loss of homes and even suicide

People fall into debt for many reasons - loss of a job, extended sick-leave, a partner leaving, etc. Having to suddenly cope on one wage or a reduced wage, or to find yourself on benefits can be extremely hard and finances can spiral out of control without you even realising it - until the debt letters start coming in or worse the bailiffs are knocking at the door.

The CAP Money Management Courses are run in churches throughout the UK and aim to help people work out their finances and get them from living in bondage to living a life where they control their money. I am our Church Representative for CAP and we aim to run courses for people in the church but also in the community. People who would not even think of coming to church!

The aim of CAP is to encourage people to live within their means and one of the ways of doing this is by using cash instead of credit/debit cards. Using cash helps you to value money because you can see where it's going and it can also encourage you to save a little. The course helps people to devise a budget and to get organised with their money - know where the money is and where it's going.

It can be extremely challenging to get yourself free from debt. I have personally seen debt cause so much stress within the lives of friends and also seen relationship breakdowns - it's heartbreaking. Usually people only seek help when they are in so deep that they can't see the wood for the trees and their lives are falling apart.

Thankfully, there is help available. On the tv at the moment are several adverts for "Getting out of debt" - usually by taking out loans, but there are some companies offering other ways as well.

However, with the CAP course we can not only help people to get free from debt, live within their means and be in control of their money, we can also offer the hope of eternal life. Jesus.

Jesus said "Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light".

And this is what CAP is all about - not just helping people out of debt, but presenting the unconditional love of a Saviour. Someone who can take all their burdens and sorrows and turn lives completely around. When people feel that their only way out is to take their lives, then we can let them know there is another way. Someone who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. When people are so broken by the burden of debt; stress; worry; relationship breakdowns, they need to see help, comfort and unconditional love. They need to see there is another way.

Of course sadly not everyone will accept the invitation to eternal life, but we will still gladly give them all the help, unconditional love and support they need, and I am looking forward to seeing Jesus change the lives of those who will attend our CAP Money Management Courses.