When callers to The Ramsey Show ask Dave Ramsey “How are you?” he always has the same response: “Better than I deserve.” He recently shared why that phrase became his go-to response.
When an emailer asked the program about how they can practice contentment without feeling guilt, Ramsey said having the recognition is half the battle, leading him to tell thousands of callers that he’s better than he deserves.
“The only thing I’ve ever been able to come up with that has helped me a lot, is I balance my consumption with my generosity,” said Ramsey. “If I feel a tinge of ‘I don’t feel worthy to be here’, which I don’t. That’s why I tell people I’m ‘better than I deserve.’ I’m really smart, and I work really, really hard, but the blessings in my life are beyond my smarts and my work ethic. That’s not humility, and that’s not false spiritual pride or something. It’s not a humble brag. It’s just simply an intellectual observation.”
Dave Ramsey shared his belief that while he has worked hard for what he has in his life, he will always carry an aura of gratitude.
“I have a life that is beyond my smart or work ethic. I got good smarts, I got good work ethic, but my life is beyond it. So I’m better than I deserve,” Ramsey continued. “People always say ‘You ought to be positive and say you deserve it.’ That wouldn’t be accurate. I am better than I deserve. It’s also just a statement of grace, doctrinally. I’m better than I deserve because I deserve hell, and I’m not going because of Jesus.”
