Finances, Financial Peace University

MANAGING THE RESOURCES GOD HAS GIVEN US

One of the greatest challenges to our spiritual formation is posed by our money and possessions. Jesus warned us in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And yet, who of us hasn’t felt the pull and the lure to get all we can, can all we get, and sit on the can! To counter the lure of the “more monster,” God calls us to develop ourselves as stewards in His economy.

Stewardship reflects the simple truth that God is the owner of all I have, and I am the manager of all He has given me. As such, my job is to manage His resources in accordance with His financial plan-a plan which includes everything from earning money, to spending money, to saving money, to giving money. When I realize that I am simply a manager of God’s resources, every expenditure becomes a spiritual decision. What I allocate to one area cannot be used in another. So, the question for each of us is, “Does my stewardship of God’s resources reflect God’s priorities or my own?” The easiest way to answer that is to take a look at your checkbook or bank statment. What evidence exists that you are in touch with His kingdom priorities?

Someone has said, “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” One of the greatest signs that God’s heart is being formed within us is evidenced by our giving. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave…” We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. And so, as you use your compass this week, ask God to fashion within you the heart of a wise, loving, and generous steward.

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY

Financial Peace University is a class on money taught (via video) by America’s most trusted financial guru, Dave Ramsey. Dave and his team walk you through the basics of budgeting, dumping debt, planning for the future and much more! Many have benefited from FPU. Here are just a few who have been greatly helped by this class.

Instead of letting our finances control us, we now control our finances. We have peace of mind and a definite plan!

FPU has given me the steps to start taking my life back. I now have a plan and see a light at the end of the tunnel!

God’s word tells us, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty surely to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5 Dave Ramsay speaks to how important a money plan is, “You will either learn to manage money or the lack of it will manage you.”

In 2015 our church made FPU a church wide learning and life change event. Many families went through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.

Currently, classes are not yet scheduled, but may be soon. For a class near you, we encourage you to go to DaveRamsey.com.