(Article originally written in 1994 for the Florida Baptist
Witness)
Addict me to drugs,
alcohol or sex and I can find places to obtain help.
But, "material" addicts have no place to go---unless, the local
church and\or the local association soon realizes its responsibility to teach,
preach and counsel stewardship. Money Magazine, in a 1986 study determined that
85% of all divorces were rooted in money problems! The earning and spending of
our money takes up more of our time than any other activity or pursuit! Yet, our
fellow church members are generally " Financial Illiterates."
Gone are the days of simple bank accounts, low
taxes and company "secured" retirement plans! Financial complexity is
a way of life and perhaps a tool of the Devil.
After presenting Christian Stewardship and Financial Planning Seminars to
hundreds of churches, I can unequivocally say that stewardship education on both
a biblically and worldly level is our church member's biggest NEED.
I dare say that in today's complicated financial world MORE THAN a majority of
our church leaders need stewardship education! Yet, what are we Baptist's doing
about this tremendously pervasive problem?
Ask yourself, where in your community can an addicted consumer go to find
counsel, help and advice? Who is teaching STEWARDSHIP? Who is PREACHING
stewardship? Who is attempting to help those members who are buried beneath such
a load of financial care that they cannot even see a way out? Those who are
addicted to the spending habits of today's material world and, thus, buried
beneath a load of credit and credit cards?--Where can these folks go for HELP!!!
I don't have any statistics or real research to prove it, but if I were to stand up and holler that over 50% of our church members were addicted to drugs--I would get an immediate response. Yet, over, way over, 50% of our members are addicted to spending! No help, no treatment centers, no "Doctors of Finance" to turn to! Oh, there is the devil's "treatment" programs, the WAY OUTS FOR THOSE WITH LITTLE OR NO HOPE--gambling, lotteries, home equity loans, reduced interest rates, desperation robberies and embezzlements, creative tax cheating and even bankruptcy proceedings.
Why some folks even turn to Consumer Credit Counseling, a service of the United Way. Sounds good doesn't?
It's not! CCC does not allow any of their clients to use a portion of their income for the tithe! How can I recommend this counseling service when I know it is in direct contravention of all that my Bible teaches me?
Not long ago I received a call from a chaplain in a rather large southeastern prison--"Rick," he asked, "do you know of any Christian based credit counseling services? A service like CCC who has the power and influence to arrange payment plans, interest reductions and\or abatements"?
No! I don't know of any such Christian service because no such organization exists! Could I direct him to a local church who is known for helping the "POOR" of the nineties? Is there a ministry somewhere who can help? (November 2000 update. Try Cornerstone Financial Services. See the Links page for more information)
Other than Larry Burkett's and Ron Blue's educational ministries, I know of no "treatment" centers who can help the seriously afflicted or should I say addicted! Our local churches and our associations local, state and national, are experiencing declines in gifts and tithes. Yet, consumer spending and credit is on the rise!
How can our church leaders expect our members to become Biblical stewards when they don't have the knowledge and education to become good stewards at home? "If", our pastors preach Stewardship (and many don't or won't) do you think the folks will "HEAR", when they can't even meet their current obligations? The Devil has outflanked the ears of those who may hear Biblical stewardship by using the credit trap. When you receive daily calls asking when you are going to pay your outstanding balances, do you think you can "HEAR" BIBLICAL STEWARDSHIP?
Let's start teaching stewardship and let's start at home. Consumer stewardship will lead to Biblical stewardship. Start a financial ministry in your church and your association. Let's help the addicted!
You can start by teaching the course "Live Wisely". Live wisely, is a one Sunday emphasis that also suggests that every church organize money management study groups. Groups that can continue to learn, teach and reach! Groups that could bring in local or national speakers! Groups that could provide a ministry to those not normally associated with the church! Groups that can become the haven for the addicted!
Live Wisely sampler packet, 6732-33 is available from the SBC. 1-800-458-2772, $3.75. This packet contains all of the material you will need to evaluate and prepare for a Live Wisely Seminar.
If I can help and I am not teaching somewhere else, I'll come and present
the course. You can also try your associations' Stewardship Director, FBC's
area Stewardship leader and/or Clarence Hackett, State Stewardship Director.
Please consider starting a financial ministry in your church or association--I
know your fellow church members and neighbors need it!
Rick Kornmeier, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner© December, 1993 Published in the Florida Baptist Witness January 13, 1994
Underlined words were edited out of the article by FBW editors.
Copyright © 2001
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