I have just returned from this year’s NACBA show in Nashville, where it was, as usual, great to see familiar faces, both exhibitors and attendees alike.

I’m usually so busy working at the booth, talking to readers, and meeting with advertisers to spend much time outside of the exhibit hall, but I was particularly excited that I had the opportunity to hear Dave Ramsey speak on Monday morning.

As you most likely have, I’ve listened to Ramsey on the radio, counseling individuals, and I know many people who have gone through his “Financial Peace” program at churches across the country. However, I was really interested to hear what he had to say to you, as church leaders.

His main message was that everyone is hurting financially right now, and that they’re heading to the “hospital with the cross on it.” He said, “You can’t harvest where you haven’t planted.” Basically, it’s futile to just preach on tithing…you’ve got to get the members of your congregation out of debt, and then they’ll be in a better position to tithe.

Additionally, Ramsey outlined his “five biblical principles that will change your life and church.”

1. Get out of debt.
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” –Proverbs 22:7

2. Act your wage.
“A foolish man devours all he has.” –Proverbs 21:20

3. Get on a budget.
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has had enough to finish it?” –Luke 14:20

4. Save and invest.
“In the house of the wise are stores of choice and food and oil.” –Proverbs 21:20

5. Give.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house.” –Malachi 3:10

What are you doing to help your members financially, so that they can, in turn, help your church financially?

I’m always interested in hearing from you. You can reach me at jill@rpnmag.com.

God Bless,

Jill Pinheiro
Managing Editor