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HOUSTON?Houston pastor John Morgan, popular Christian financial counselors such as Dave Ramsey and the late Larry Burkett, and seminars such as those by Crown Financial Ministries, all base their advice on the biblical wisdom of debt-free living.
The answer to the question of what should be done with a person’s assets once he is debt free varies from advisor to advisor, but the fundamental principle is clear: owe nothing to anyone but God.
With an abundance of Scripture supporting such a notion, Christians may find it difficult to deny the wisdom of such counsel. But, as Morgan noted, even the most trusted consultants can consider such a life application impractical and unreasonable.
But is it?
As a member of Sagemont Church, Roy Guel knew well the teachings of his pastor and the biblical admonitions with regard to taking loans. After twice participating in Morgan’s Financial Freedom seminar, Guel and his wife, Patsie, dedicated themselves to living debt free.
Guel, a successful printing and advertising-marketing business owner, and Patsie, a grade-school teacher, had accumulated the standard debt associated with home ownership, car notes, and the raising of four children. But they felt convicted to live by a standard set by God, not Wall Street.
Living debt free would also make a job transition go all the more smoothly. As his family was becoming unchained from the burdens of consumerism and the debt it incurs, Guel was answering a call he had put on hold. The son of a church planter, Guel said he had always felt a pull at his heart for sharing the gospel but he chose another career path believing he could serve the Lord just as ably in the secular market.
From 1985-2000 Guel operated his business in Houston, adding a branch in Addison. But the time came for him to make a decision to expand the company to other cities or sell it all and go into the ministry. Guel said he could have made many excuses for continuing with the expansion of his business. After all, he was making good money that could be used by God. He and his wife were raising godly kids and Guel was actively involved in lay ministries at the church.
But he realized, “I was just negotiating with him. God didn’t want my money, he wanted me.”
Guel finally relented but he knew the transition could have a significant lifestyle impact on his family.
From accomplished businessman to a church staff member, Guel knew money was going to be an issue. When he told Patsie he had decided to go full-time into the ministry, she began crying and asked, “What took you so long?”
That’s when Guel “put out the fleece.” In an effort to minimize the changes that were about to take place for his family, Guel boldly asked God if they could stay in their home. If they didn’t have to move, the kids would be able to stay in their schools and neighborhoods.
“We wanted to keep things as close to the same as possible,” he said.
Paying off their debt took discipline. But Guel said the downsizing was actually a lot less painful than people might think.
“The hardest part,” he said, “was getting off that consumer merry-go-round.”
Having to have the newest gadgets, expensive cars, and the latest fashions didn’t really matter in the end. Guel said he saw people his age with all the “stuff” but not a great deal of joy. Guel is convinced the blessings of the Lord come without trouble. Debt causes trouble of its own.
But how does a parent sell the idea of downsizing to four young kids? No more cable. Fewer outings to the movies. Little to no eating out.
“We went on a television fast,” Guel said. One week without TV. “Once we survived that, we did a 30-day fast.”
By the time the plug was pulled on cable, no one really missed it. They were used to spending evenings playing, talking, or doing school work. Weekend nights were movie night. Guel said his kids have grown up seeing a lot of musicals.
The Guel family turned to Scripture for their inspiration in their efforts to become debt-free. Letting go of the “appetites of this world” as mentioned in Philippians 3 and reading through Proverbs numerous times, gave them the encouragement they needed to remain disciplined. That discipline along with the sale of his business and some stocks and bonds enabled the Guels to cancel all debt?even the note on their 3,800-square-foot house.
They had been able to make a substantial down payment on the home because they had paid off their previous home using the same financial commitment. The proceeds from the first house were put into the second and the Guels were in the process of paying it down as soon as they moved into it. This made the final pay-off more manageable.
Once the business was sold, Guel volunteered for one year as the missions ministry coordinator for Sagemont Church, the position he felt called to fill. He joked that he ended up putting in more hours as a volunteer than as a business owner. While he was working without financial compensation, Patsie went back into the classroom and the family lived off of her teacher’s salary and the savings put away after clearing all debt.
Guel eventually moved into the missions staff position at Sagemont and Patsie continues to teach. They continue to live by God’s admonition to avoid all debt all the while paying everyday bills and putting two of their four children through college.
“God wants us to be a conduit for his blessings,” Guel said. “When we’re encumbered by debt it’s a hindrance and an anchor.”
