Contributor: Ryan Moffat, BS in Bible and Theology from Multnomah University. Pastor of Vast Church.
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”
-Proverbs 22:7
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
-Romans 13:8
“We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.”
-Dave Ramsey
I’m not a financial genius; I don’t have stocks, 401k’s, 403b’s and offshore professional accounts to fund my vacations and long weekends in Fiji. I learned simple, old school, and bullet point financial management from my old man. The simple principles dad taught me still are paying huge dividends today.
Dad’s Guidance
Dad never made ridiculous amounts of money. He is a machinist for Boeing, lives a very “middle-class” lifestyle, and hasn’t driven a respectable car until he got a Honda Pilot a few years ago. Here is what dad taught me about managing money:
- Money is a great servant (to serve God, my family, other people, churches/ministry/etc.) but it’s a HORRIBLE MASTER.
- You can’t buy happiness, but you can use your resources to maximize life’s greatest moments (by investing in what matters most).
- Debt (in most cases) is stupid, and it only exacerbates situations. Don’t go in debt unless you want to be a slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7)
- Pay yourself after you give. Dad taught me to give first to Church, to charities, etc., and then to pay myself with a long-term savings plan before I pay my expenses. This discipline for 18 years has treated me well.
The problem with debt is that it leaves the debtor constrained, stressed and ultimately enslaved. Debt heightens negative emotional feelings and when you’re seeking to address an addiction it takes all mental, emotional and financial resources that an individual has so all other “commitments” become leaches to the most important process (recovery).
If you’re in debt and are looking for more resources I would highly recommend Dave Ramsey and his website (here). The greater control, authority and precision that you use to govern your financial future will be a healthy indicator of how you will engage your future in other areas (chemical addiction included).
Take authority, get out of debt and enjoy the lush green grass of a life that is free from the bondage of consumer debt!!
About the Author: Ryan received his BS in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing. He’s been married to his beautiful wife Michelle for 13 years and they enjoy raising four crazy, unique and special kids together. Ryan is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, OR and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, OR
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Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 19, 2015
Published on AddictionHope.com