Another Perspective Dear Dave, I’m a big fan of your work, but I have to ask one question. Why do you advocate belief in religion for dealing with financial hardship, even for those who don’t believe in religion? Daniel Dear Daniel, First, I don’t believe that religion is the answer. I do, however, advocate God. I believe with all my heart that there is a God. I also believe that He’s in control, and that He’s crazy about us and wants good things for us. That’s my value system. It’s how I approach every equation, whether it’s financial or not. I’m not mad at people who don’t feel this way. When someone who’s in debt or behind on their mortgage asks advice, I don’t tell them the answer is to go read their Bible. I give them financial advice. If they speak in Christian terminology, I answer in Christian terminology because I’m a believer. I know how to speak the language and can connect with them. But you’ll never hear me beat someone up just because they’re not a person of faith. At the same time, I’ll never back away from the idea that God is real just because someone else isn’t a believer! Personal finance is 80 percent behavior, and 20 percent head knowledge. I’ve said that for years. If people can grasp that one statement, I can teach them lots of great stuff. Yet it would be naïve to try and have a discussion about behavior modification without including relationships, emotions, psychology, and spirituality. That’s not just my opinion. It’s a logical, well-rounded view of the facts. But when it comes right down to it, I advocate a belief in God and study of the Bible as the answer to almost every question, because they will take you places you need to go! - Dave Teaching Them How to Spend Dear Dave, Continued... |