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Even in the land of plenty, debt runs deep. Recent statistics put the average household credit card balance at $8,400. Finance charges zap $50 billion a year from the economy.
But even numbers of that magnitude haven’t changed a society that confuses wants and needs and mortgages tomorrow for a few seconds of satisfaction today. And no one—not even the most fervent followers of Christ—is immune.
With training and discipline, though, people can find freedom from a debtor’s bondage. Prestonwood Executive Pastor Mike Buster and Ron Kelley, Director of the Prestonwood Foundation, will be happy to show you how, in an on-going series of Financial Freedom and Money Matters seminars.
“Materialism is a major problem not only within our community, but within our churches,” Mike said. “This ‘buy now, pay later’ thinking is driven by a community that craves instant gratification. We live in a society that says, ‘Spend all you make and borrow whatever you need to be happy.’
“In Proverbs 21:20, the Bible says, ‘The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.’ ”
The Bible is God’s roadmap for life; it has many sound principles, that when followed, will lead to financial peace. More verses in the Bible deal with finances—2,350—than any other topic, Mike said.
But too many Christians consider their financial condition something unrelated to their walk with God.
Executive Pastor Mike Buster leads a seminar.
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“With money issues being the number one cause of divorce, it’s no wonder the devil would rather the church keep silent on the topic of finances,” he said. “Christians need to wake up.”
How bad have things become?
“We have gone from a society of savers to spenders,” Ron said. “We have even taken the spending to the next level by going beyond our income levels by the use of easy credit, which is easy to get but not so easy to pay off.
“It breaks my heart to see so many Christians in total financial bondage. Jesus Christ came so we can experience freedom in all areas of our life, including our finances.”
The Financial Freedom seminars provide nuts-and-bolts information and advice on cutting expenses, creating a budget and reducing debt.
“People are searching for answers to their financial questions and challenges,” Ron said.
“When people finally begin to look at where their money is going, it’s life altering,” Mike said.
More than 200 people attended the first Financial Freedom seminar, he said, and “we are seeing many taking the right steps to move away from bondage.
“It can be done, no matter how bleak it may seem,” Mike said.
Growing up, he saw how the proper priorities and careful attention can make even modest incomes meet needs now and in the future.
“My father never graduated from high school and drove a truck for a living,” he said. “My mother was a bookkeeper and taught me financial principles.
“Dad taught me the value of a dollar and Mom taught me how to manage that dollar. I watched them save enough to buy a house, put my sister and me through college, and retire with financial independence.
“Other than a mortgage on their house, they never borrowed a penny. I assumed this was normal. I didn’t realize how blessed I was,” he said.
Mark Gibson appreciated hearing Mike and Ron share their life stories at Financial Freedom.
“The fact that Mike is a wise steward in his personal life tells me that he is as much, or more so, with the church’s money,” Mark said.
Mark said having someone like Ron counsel him and his wife, Elizabeth, one-on-one has also helped tremendously. “He left a very successful career to devote his life to the ministry and that says so much about him,” he said.
Betty Olson recently lost her husband and knew she needed to get her finances in order, she said. She began meeting with Ron and then attended Financial Freedom.
“Anything I could possibly learn about it, I’m taking advantage of,” she said. “The need for budgeting and recording living expenses really hit home with me. That is the main thing I’m trying to deal with in my finances.”
Rusty Holmes and his family were already making financial changes when he attended the seminar. He left encouraged, with more practical tools to use.
“People in Dallas can get caught up with driving a nice car, having a big house and keeping up with the culture,” Rusty said. “Those types of things cause people to spend more than they’ve earned and get in debt and not having enough money invested for retirement.
“It blinds us from seeing where happiness is.”
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