The Real Reason to Get Out of Debt

I get emails from Dave Ramsey every week and the email this week was too good not to share and so appropriate for the season.

Are You Giving Your Money Away?
Find out the real reason to get out of debt and invest. The Tip
Building wealth isn't about watching your bank account grow, it's about using your wealth to bless others.

Month after month, we send you tips and encouragement to keep you committed to your investing goals. We've explained why you shouldn't invest in single stocks or bonds, and we've talked about how to plan for your child's college expenses and how to make the most of your money once you retire.

But those things, as important as they are, are not the reason you get out of debt, save money, and invest for the future. And you certainly don't build wealth just to see your bank accounts grow.

Invest In True Happiness
Building wealth is all about giving! And while Americans are number-one in the world for charitable giving, statistics show that the more money someone makes, the less they give as a percentage of their income. In fact, people who earn less than $20,000 a year are twice as charitable as those who earn $100,000 a year.

Oddly enough, those higher income earners said they didn't give more because they couldn't afford it. Those folks have fallen for the false idea that in order to have money, they have to hold on to it with a clenched fist, and they're missing out on the blessings that generosity can bring to their lives.

You probably know from your own experience how it feels to meet a need in someone's life, either with your time, your possessions or your money. We are happiest and most fulfilled when we're serving and giving. We're designed that way.

Because Dave's money principles are biblically based, he has always recommended tithing—regularly giving to your church—as the first step to giving. Once giving becomes a habit, you'll see that it makes you less selfish. You'll look for more opportunities to give as you have more money to give.

And, while there is no guarantee that you'll have more money just because you give money away, you will end up with more—sometimes in your pocket and sometimes in your heart. But there will always be more when you handle money God's way!

Here in the Christmas season, there are opportunities to give at every turn. If you haven't experienced the Financial Peace that comes from giving, give it a try this season. Leave $100 for your server one evening, or find five single moms and give them each $500. Take an even bigger leap and give someone $10,000 to go back to school or fulfill their dream of adopting a child. You'll see what a difference it makes in the way you view money.