"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33 NIV)
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 16:10-13 NIV)
How we manage the resources we are entrusted with is an indicator of our values. Debt has become a worldwide danger. In an issue of TIME MAGAZINE, debt is called the new four-letter word. Then, in just a matter of weeks, the whole world plunged into a deep spiral of economic confusion. Persons, homes, organizations, churches—all are hobbled by debt and uncertainty. Jesus knew exactly the problem when he said that, “No servant can serve two masters.” Many churches and many more in our churches find themselves struggling between two masters.
The goal is not simply debt freedom—although that is a worthy goal. The goal is debt freedom in order to more fully live out the Great Commandments and fully embrace the Great Commission.
Bondage of any kind severely reduces ministry effectiveness: Disciples encumbered by debt lose their effectiveness because they lose their flexibility. Churches encumbered by debt lose their effectiveness because they lose their flexibility. Agencies and organizations of the church encumbered by debt lose their effectiveness because they lose their flexibility.
The Church of God reformation movement—every individual, church, and agency—will prayerfully examine all aspects of their personal and corporate lives. They will seek with good environmental stewardship, to provide careful safety nets for others less fortunate, and to live in fiscal health through their personal and business financial management practices. Many Church of God congregations are offering classes on personal financial management. Church of God Ministries recommends Financial Peace University or Crown Financial Ministries as biblically based financial management training courses. We strongly encourage you to consider enrolling in one of these two effective financial ministries.
Financial Peace University teaches sound biblical teachings about money, but does this in a format that makes it an effective outreach ministry into your community. Crown Financial Ministries offers the same teachings but in a more in-depth biblical context, making this more appropriate for use among believers.
Church Of God Ministries and Transformation Team 3 have worked out Church of God Ministries discounts for Crown Financial and with Financial Peace University.
But you don't have to take our word for it. Read the testimonies of people just like you who have attended these courses and learn what a difference it has made in their lives!