Dave Ramsey’s Financial Wisdom From ProverbsSample

Day 5: Gazelle Intensity!

I never knew much about gazelles. I never really gave them much thought - until I read Proverbs 6 one day in my quiet time.

Of course, any biblical reference to debt catches my eye. And if the Bible offers a way to escape debt, I want to know the secret! But when I saw that this answer focused on gazelles, I was a little confused.

I was looking for a great spiritual principle, and God gave me animal metaphors!

God must have known I needed some help because He gave me a little more insight later that day. I was watching a nature documentary, and guess what showed up? Gazelles! Of course, you know the gazelles weren't out there all alone! Before long, Mr. Cheetah showed up looking for lunch. Suddenly, God had my attention.

The cheetah sprang into the clearing, and the gazelles took off in 14 different directions. Now, a gazelle can't outrun the world's fastest land animal, but it can zigzag around long enough to wear him out. And that's exactly what happened.

I learned that cheetahs rarely win these races. Because the gazelle is so focused on doing whatever it takes to survive, the cheetah only catches it about once in every 19 attempts. That's what I call intensity!

That documentary helped me understand the gazelle reference in Proverbs 6:5. The only real way to beat debt is to be intense! You've got to work hard. You've got to fight for survival. You've got to run for your life!

The truth is, you will never wander out of debt. You won't stroll out. It won't happen by accident. You only get out if you set your eyes on the goal and attack your debt with gazelle intensity!

We all need a plan for our money. We created Financial Peace University to teach people how to handle money God's ways. If you are interested in getting gazelle intense and learning how to get rid of debt, manage your money, and spend and save wisely, visit daveramsey.com/fpu to learn more.