Freedom from compulsive spending comes through Celebrate Recovery
by Tobin Perry
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (PD)--Two years ago, Roger Malone couldn't imagine being out of debt. He owed twice as much money as his yearly salary, and had spent the past several weeks living out of his car. Malone was so uneasy about his financial situation he often ignored phone calls because he feared creditors would be on the other end of the line.
When Malone walked into Saddleback's Celebrate Recovery program for the first time in February of 2003, he had already hit rock bottom. Nervous about others' reactions to his overwhelming debt, he almost didn't go to the meeting.  But convinced that without taking that step his wallet would never see daylight, Malone reluctantly gave the ministry a try. Now two years later, after working through Celebrate Recovery's 12-step debt recovery program, Malone realizes it was the best decision he ever made.
But it wasn't easy. Malone's poor financial habits took a lifetime to form. Often neglected as a child, he learned to look out for himself from a young age. When he made money, he spent it. Status and attention came to those with "stuff," and Malone wanted as much "stuff" as anyone else. When he graduated high school, left home and joined the military, his habits only got worse. He lived from paycheck to paycheck, rarely saving or giving.
"Whatever I wanted, I got," Malone said. "I didn't think about the consequences of purchases. I didn't pay attention to bills. I always thought I'd take care of them later, and of course, I never did."
Even after making a public decision for Christ while serving in Operation Desert Storm, Malone continued a pattern of poor financial decisions. It wasn't until 2000 when he got engaged that he began to see the possible ramifications of the financial chaos in his life. Near the end of 2002, as the couple began to plan their future marriage, Malone's fiance informed him he was "unmarriable." His debts -- now well over twice his income -- would drain their new family. Crushed and now homeless, Malone lived in his car for four months.
That's when Malone turned to Celebrate Recovery and God's plan for his finances. He went through the 12 biblical steps to overcoming his compulsive spending and began saving, planning, keeping records and tithing. It wasn't easy. He remembers dropping tithing checks in the offering basket when he didn't have money for gas. At times, Malone longed to just forget about the debts and spend money freely like others he knew.
Still, God remained faithful. As Malone worked through the recovery steps, he had to ask those he'd hurt to forgive him for his past behavior. During that time Malone asked forgiveness of a man to whom he owed $5,000. After apologizing, he tried to set up a responsible repayment plan. To Malone's surprise, the man completely forgave the debt.
"God put it on my heart to tell you something that someone once told me," the man told Malone. "Somewhere along the line you may find yourself in the position to do this for others, so remember this."
Soon after that the IRS forgave 95 percent of his tax debt.
Since starting Celebrate Recovery, Malone has cut his debts considerably. Although sometimes he still feels his mountain of debt is unconquerable, he knows God is faithful. And he knows following God's plan is transforming his future one step at a time.
"Working through the steps is really about trusting God," Malone said. "I've learned so much through this program."
He wouldn't trade the financial woes he's experienced for anything. Malone believes God has used those struggles to help him become spiritually stronger.
"God's timing is impeccable," Malone said. "Over the last couple of years, God has taught me that everything happens in his timing -- not ours. We want everything now because we are now-orientated. ... God often doesn't work that way. He wants to build our character. He wants our faith to grow."
Malone thoroughly believes he wouldn't have been able to trust God with his finances without the help of his new friends in Celebrate Recovery. Accountability became the key. Through the people in his recovery group and a recovery mentor, he knew he never was (or will be) alone in the uphill battle. They prayed with him, encouraged him and asked tough questions about his spending habits when he was tempted to stray.
Now Malone hopes other people find the financial freedom that can only be found through God's financial plan. He encourages others to get help, whether that's through Celebrate Recovery, a Crown Ministry small group or one of the other financial ministries at Saddleback.  Most of all, Malone encourages others to give God's promises concerning finances a try.
"If you are questioning tithing, if you are questioning trusting God with your finances, try him," Malone said. "It's the only part of the Bible where God says 'test me.' You have absolutely nothing to lose. But until you do that, your relationship with God will never be what it can be."
-PurposeDriven-