or lack there of?
Another post about our money problems!!! Get excited! No, that is not what this is. Could easily become that if I let it . . .
Like most of America, we have some debt. As a married couple we have been tackling it since day one. I've been pretty enthusiastic about it and adamant about honoring God with our choices. But I got a little ahead of myself. We follow a lot of Dave Ramsey's steps to financial peace. (Pause for a second: disclaimer: I am not trying to knock Dave Ramsey here. Just realizing a few things and wanting to clarify some things.)
Dave maps out some really useful stuff, especially for people who could use some direction and tools. I'm very grateful for it. For example, I always knew my parents budgeted and it was wise to do, but I had no idea HOW to do it until I took the FPU class. But I'm questioning my motives, my heart . . . we are trying to right our wrongs and do the right thing. Well, I have been a little uneasy about Dave ever since reading one of his responses to a couple pretty much just like us. He was harsh. And I think that might be necessary if people don't realize how incredibly stupid they ARE being, but if they WERE and have changed and are simply seeking out direction and encouragement we don't need to beat them over the head with past mistakes and make them feel small first. They already feel small.
Financially screwing yourself over is not the worst thing you can do. Truly. I say this as someone who has financially screwed themselves over. I could do worse.
It was stupid. But moving on, Dave.
My husband showed a video about revival the other day . . . and there were some great comments about storing up treasures here on earth that made me think about FPU and Dave Ramsey. I've had Dave on repeat in my head, "You need X amount of $ to survive retirement. Leaving behind $ for your kids is the right thing to do, and if you don't do it, how sad, how tragic. $$$ or you will leave behind a burden for your kids and win worst parent of the year." At least that is what I heard, and that is hopefully not what he means. Again, not knocking Dave. I just think a little Christian perspective check is in order. Debt is a burden, and it is sad. It is not right to continue to accrue debt that you will inevitably leave for your children. So stop that. But . . . having what experts say is the right amount of $ for retirement is not necessary to live a fulfilling, God honoring life. Is it bad to attempt to save money for retirement?, well no. But it is not my ultimate goal in life to spend all of my time trying to achieve "financial peace". I would much rather trust God for the peace that passes all understanding regardless of where I am at in life. Money comes and more often goes, and times are hard. This probably won't change any time ever, so lets not let our life be about it. There are more important things in life. Really. I'm sorry, children, if I don't leave you millions. I'm sorry if I can't spoil you and your children rotten when I get old. I'm going to try my hardest to teach you how to be good stewards of your money, but in case you mess up I want to teach you to trust God more. If I don't have "enough to retire on" what ever will I do? Oh, I don't know . . . maybe God has a plan for even poor people. Maybe God will provide. Rich or poor, isn't He the one who provides? Don't all good things come from Him?
Dave teaches that once you build wealth you can give more. So true. I can also give when I'm poor. It may not be money, but money isn't necessary. You don't have to throw money at people to be a giver. $ does not = happiness OR PEACE. (and yes I know Dave means be at peace about money, not worry about how or what you spend, blah blah blah, not that money=peace.)
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