Faith-based finances focus of seminar, classes
With big screen televisions gracing many living rooms and luxury vehicles parked in the drive, it's no wonder some credit cards with hefty balances are filling more wallets these days.
Of course it's not just over-spending and under-saving that accounts for the financial troubles of many families these days. Layoffs, medical emergencies, rising gas prices and other crises account for many fiscal woes.
What is a family to do?
What would Jesus be doing with his finances if he were your next-door neighbor?
That last question is the crux of Crown Financial Ministries seminars and classes focusing on the Biblical principles of finance. The Georgia-based organization is hosting a one-day seminar for new volunteer teachers June 14 in Rolling Meadows. Several area churches also host their 10-week classes throughout the year as well.
The organization was founded in 1976 as Christian Financial Concepts. The name was changed to Crown Financial Ministries in 1985 and the network of churches and volunteers has grown to assist families and individuals through seminars, classes, online and over the radio.
"There are more people who need that help right now ... In our imperfect world there are struggles," said Christy Speer, vice president of the North American Field at Crown Financial.
Speer said her own family has gone through good financial times and bad and remaining faithful has helped them more than anything.
According to Crown's Web site, www.crown.org, the Bible has more than 2,000 verses with references to money. A quick search for "debt" using the Web site's tool shows many references to having all debts canceled every seven years.
These days banks won't be generous enough to cancel our mortgage and credit debt every seven years so we have to learn to manage our debt and spending as well as plans for saving.
"God wants us to plan for the future," Speer said.
The seminars and classes help people look at their own finances and patterns that led them to trouble. Discovering those patterns and developing new patterns give people hope that they can get out of their financial difficulties.
"Even when it seems hopeless, if you are faithful there is hope," Speer said.
Now the Bible also has references that don't appear too favorable toward the wealthy. But that doesn't mean having money is bad, Speer said.
Just as God doesn't want people to waste their money, he doesn't want people to horde it either, she said.
"God is really the owner, not only of all your stuff, but all your money," she said.
The workshops encourage people to think about how God would want to have his money spent. Would He plop down a credit card for that big screen TV? Or would he pay down the credit card instead?
For many families, a big-screen TV isn't even in the picture. They are struggling to feed and clothe their children while still paying their utilities and mortgage or rent.
Speer said Crown Financial's approach will also work for them. It's about managing God's money whether you have a lot or a little.
She added the classes include praying for each of the group's members, a daily 20-minute Bible study and homework with a practical application. To find a church that host's Crown's 10-week course go to www.crown.org. Classes can be found in Naperville, Bloomingdale, Batavia and many other suburbs.
More information is also available by calling Phil Surdynski, Crown's local coordinator for Northern Illinois, at (847) 438-8447 or sending an e-mail to psurdynski@crown.org.