The dangers of binge drinking are well documented and such behavior is in direct conflict with the principles of God’s way of life. Alcohol in moderation is not sinful, but alcohol in excess leading to drunkenness is (Galatians 5:19-21).

As if that were not enough, however, binge drinking (defined as 4 to 5 drinks at a sitting) turns out to be very costly, in this case, financially costly.

Binge drinkers tend to spend more money while under the influence, like buying more drinks or even ordering products they don’t need on the shopping channel.

The European Alcohol and Health Forum also finds that lifetime heavy drinking will impact a person’s school performance and will limit work potential in later years because of health problems and early death associated with binge drinking.

Among other things suppression of the immune system is associated with heavy drinking. This leads experts to connect drinking with increased medical expenses. Finally, drinking in excess is connected with high credit card debt (Carmel Lobello, “How Drinking Too Much Sabotages Your Finances,” News.Yahoo.com, November 4, 2013).

With a resume like that, moderation in drinking is certainly the only choice. God didn’t make alcohol inherently evil. It is our use of it that determines whether we’ve crossed the line into sinful behavior.