In response to a military caller on 11/14/07 who wanted to know what do with his signing bonus, Howard Dayton recommended that he give generously to the Lord, save $5,000, and pay off all credit card debt. Then, Dayton recommended that the caller should split all future surplus into two: half should be put into savings, and half should go toward paying off the mortgage. Crown claims to have a biblical worldview, so is this recommendation biblical?

No. Scripture just doesn’t support it. It doesn’t matter how reasonable it sounds. Once you decide to be wise in your own eyes, and not follow God’s will for your finances (which I find to be the case often with Crown and too many Christians), then we can come up with all reasonably sounding solutions. Why not put 1/4 in savings and 3/4 toward the mortgage. Why not 1/3 and 2/3? Why not 100% and 0%? Depending on your circumstances, You could decide what’s best if You are lord of your life. However, those of us who have repented of our sins and put our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are admonished to do otherwise:

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8)

So, what is the biblical response to that caller’s monthly surplus if he has a mortgage? He’s the sell his house since he cannot keep it without a mortgage. Then, he’s to use his monthly surplus and any profit from the sale of the mortgage to give to God first, and then to save according to the will of God. Guess what people, it may not be God’s will for you to have a house. It may be. The point is, we have idolized the American Dream over and above the will of God.

Why must he sell his house? Would you find it difficult to sell your house if it meant following God’s will? Then, you can read our post: My House, My Idol.