With the exception of love and faith, no topic is covered in theNew Testament more than money.
Reading God’s principles on finances is one thing, putting thepractices into use is another. Several area churches are working tochange how people – both Christians and those who do not attendchurch – approach their finances by offering Financial PeaceUniversity, a 13-week personal financial education programdeveloped by national radio host and author Dave Ramsey.
In the program, participants cover topics ranging from budgetingand dumping debt to investing and insurance. During each session,class members watch a DVD lesson by Ramsey related to assignedreading and a workbook lesson prior to a time of small groupdiscussions. In many cases, it is the first time people have beentaught how to handle their money, financial counselor Joe Plemon ofAnna said.
“I think most people are fuzzy about financial issues,” he said.”They’re not taught about money growing up; they’re not taughtabout it in the schools. They go out into the world and just don’tknow about investing, buying cars and houses or insurance.Financial Peace University gives clear instructions and commonsense advice on these things.”
Plemon said that he attended and coordinated an FPU class at hischurch, First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Anna, six yearsago. Since then, the retired engineer has coordinated a number ofthe classes and gone through additional training to become acertified financial counselor through Ramsey’s organization.
He said more than half of his church’s membership and many fromoutside the church have participated in FPU classes.
“The beauty of Financial Peace University is not just thelearning, but being challenged to make it work for you,” heexplained. “There is both accountability and encouragement at thesame time; you learn and you put it to work.”
In fact, FPU class coordinators report that participantsconcentrate on decreasing personal debt and living on a budget.Aaron Savka, who has coordinated FPU classes at Carbondale’s GrandAvenue Christian Church, said practically all of the 60 people whohave completed the course have made strides financially.
“It’s been very positive,” Savka said. “Some, of course, havehad more success than others because they may be in a differentplace in their lives financially. Almost everyone has said thatthey’ve gotten something out of the class. It doesn’t do it foryou, but it gives you the tools to do it.”
Savka said during each course, attendees paid off large sums ofdebt.
“In each of the three classes, we’ve paid off $10,000 or morecollectively,” he added.
Plemon reported that one class in Anna had a combined six-figurereduction in personal debt.
According to Ramsey’s website, more than 1.5 million people haveattended FPU nationally, and on average, these participants havepaid down debt by more than $5,000 each during the course.
Greg Tibbs, lead pastor of First Church of God in Marion, saidhe plans to offer Financial Peace University to his congregationeach fall. The church recently wrapped up its first class.
“This program isn’t designed to tell people how to spend theirmoney; it gives them the skills and motivation to handle theirmoney more effectively. It’s all about adding value to a person,”he said. “Hopefully, we’ll make a difference in people’s lives.That’s what we’re all about.”
Plemon is such a believer in the program that he wants all ofhis clients to attend Financial Peace University. In fact, hecovers half of the approximately $100 fee for class registrationand materials.
“I don’t require them to attend FPU, but I strongly, stronglyencourage it,” he said. “The very concept of debt is ingrained intothe thinking of the average American; they think it’s a good thingand that they’ll always have it. FPU shoots down all of that.”
Savka said he personally benefitted from attending FPU.
“We were really shocked when we first went through it andactually saw our budget and where our money was going,” heexplained. “We’re doing a lot better with retirement savings andhave readjusted our life insurance. We have no credit cards andwe’ve followed the plan and it’s made things better for us. Theclass really got us on track.”
Financial Peace University also benefits the churches thatsponsor the program.
“It’s a system that people can go through to learn the Biblicalprinciples of stewardship,” Tibbs said. “For too long, the church’steaching on stewardship has centered on tithing. Often we haven’tgotten beyond that and given people the tools to handle money andsucceed financially.”
Referring to Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rule over the poor, andthe borrower is slave to the lender (New International Version)” -Plemon says Financial Peace University fills a void in thechurch.
“Christians need to be accountable for the ways they handlemoney. God expects them to be responsible,” he said. “The averageAmerican Christian only gives 2.5 percent of their income to theLord’s work. The reason that they don’t give more is that theydon’t know how to control and manage their money. Financial PeaceUniversity can make you a more generous person. That benefits thekingdom of God and makes families and individuals thrive.”