On a systemic level, Ramsey basically worships the free market and believes it is the appropriate arbitrator of money and value. He says, “I don’t like governments telling me what to do” and “the market [will] punish someone who doesn’t do a good job.”
Ramsey doesn't believe in the minimum wage. A few years ago, he got in a debate online with a Christian theologian where Ramsey was saying that only the market should dictate wages. He said if a person didn’t make enough, it was because their economic value wasn’t high enough and that was their own fault. The theologian challenged him to find that principle in scripture, and instead tried to point Dave to Biblical principles like 1 Corinthian 8:
"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
Ramsey has no answer for this. He ignores Biblical desires for equality for all, in favor of a pro-capitalist "survival of the fittest" mindset.
Where does Ramsey suggest that our desire should be equality for all? Where do his principles ever go in that direction? In fact, he explicitly argues against income equality, stating, “At the core of this demand is
envy.” So when Paul said his desire was equality, was that Paul's envy speaking? Or how about Acts?
"All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need."
"And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need."
"Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you."
The New Testament suggests we should strive for equality all the time. Why doesn't Ramsey?
He also attacks government programs to help others as “socialism”:
Wealth redistribution is socialism, and it's bad: “I’ve heard a lot about wealth redistribution over the past few year. I have my toughest critique for those who believe this: You are a thief.”
Social safety nets are socialism, and they're bad: “When you are righteous with other people’s money by using the government to take money away from people so that you can do righteous acts, that’s an act of liberal socialism.”
Government health insurance is socialism, and its bad: “Jesus didn’t say that’s how you serve the poor, to give your money to Obama and he gets the credit.”
Canceling student loans is socialism, and it's bad: "You’re such a freaking baby that you can’t step up and take care of your business.”
(Let's remember that Ramsey once declared bankruptcy himself to get out of paying millions in debt. Typical rich guy move - Socialism for me, but not for thee.)
I think too many people, after following Dave Ramsey, will come to believe that sound financial planning will solve their life’s problems. They would be completely blindsided by Biblical statements like, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” or “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired great wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked’”
Maybe Ramsey doesn't really treat money like his God. Maybe his $10+ million dollar house and $55+ million net worth is a blessing from God, and not capitalism stealing from the poor. Maybe all the scammy kickbacks he gets from recommending services he has personal connections to is just smart business sense. But I don't see how anyone gets Biblical widom on money from listening to him.
https://thesetapartwalk.com/5-reasons-i-wont-jump-on-the-dave-ramsey-bandwagon/
https://christiansocialism.com/dave-ramsey-debt-capitalism-socialism/
https://baptistnews.com/article/on-serving-god-or-money-and-why-dave-ramsey-should-stick-to-personal-finances/
https://www.crisismagazine.com/opinion/the-impoverished-theological-vision-of-dave-ramsey
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/mercynotsacrifice/2011/07/25/why-dave-ramsey-is-the-problem/
p.s. - He also treats his employees like crap. He fires female employees who request maternity leave if they aren’t married. On the other hand, when one of his main male hot shots (Chris Hogan) was found to be having multiple affairs, Dave gave him a “path to restoration”. He fired employees who complained about the lack of Covid precautions. When his employees seek to get marriage counseling, he forces them to waive their rights to privacy so Dave can read the notes from their counseling sessions. There apparently has been a lot of stuff like that.
or his black employees that left. I follow most of the black ones
